CJ7 2008

In a humble abode cobbled together from the remnants of a demolished house, Chow Ti, a hardworking construction laborer, ekes out a meager existence alongside his nine-year-old son, Dicky. Their daily struggles are compounded by the cruel taunts and bullying inflicted upon Dicky at school, where his tattered clothing only serves to further humiliate him. Despite his best efforts to provide for his son, Ti’s poverty forces him to make impossible choices, including denying Dicky a coveted robotic toy called CJ1 that he desperately covets.

The tension between Ti and Dicky reaches a boiling point when the young boy begs his father to indulge in a whim at a department store, only to be rebuffed. The ensuing argument ends with Ti’s frustration boiling over into physical discipline, leaving Dicky feeling abandoned and forlorn. Seeking solace, he finds comfort in the gentle guidance of Ms. Yuen, who passes by as he wallows in despair.

That night, Ti ventures into a nearby junkyard, where he often scavenges for discarded treasures to gift his son. His eyes light upon a peculiar green orb left behind by an extraterrestrial visitor, which he brings home, presenting it to Dicky with the promise of a new toy. Initially skeptical, Dicky eventually warms up to the strange object, and as the days pass, it transforms into a cuddly canine-like alien creature that quickly becomes his best friend. Dubbed CJ7 by its new owner, this gentle being possesses remarkable restorative powers, which it demonstrates by reviving a rotting apple that had fallen to the ground.

As Dicky’s imagination runs wild with the possibilities of having a superhero ally like CJ7, he begins to envision a future where his tormentors are vanquished and his academic woes disappear. In these vivid daydreams, CJ7 is a brilliant inventor who creates fantastical gadgets to aid him in his quest for popularity and academic success. However, when Dicky awakens from these reveries, he finds that reality has other plans. CJ7’s attempts to help him only lead to embarrassment and humiliation as the alien repeatedly defecates on its young friend, reducing him to a laughingstock at school.

Consumed by shame and regret, Dicky lashes out in frustration, casting CJ7 into a garbage bin in a fit of anger. Yet, as he realizes the gravity of his mistake, he rushes back to salvage what remains of their friendship, only to find that CJ7 has been hauled away by a garbage truck, leaving him feeling bereft and hopeless. It is then that Dicky stumbles upon a heartwarming reconciliation with Ti, who has been patiently waiting for his son’s return, surrounded by the very alien friend that had brought them together.

As the school day unfolds, Dicky’s enthusiasm for his extraordinary companion, CJ7, is palpable as he enthusiastically shares the robot dog’s impressive tricks with his peers. Meanwhile, Ti’s professional life hits a snag when a heated dispute with his boss erupts over allegations of academic dishonesty on Dicky’s part. The controversy culminates in Ti’s termination and the confiscation of CJ7 until his grades improve.

The emotional rollercoaster continues as Ti’s fortunes take an unexpected turn: he’s rehired, complete with a bonus, only to suffer a precipitous fall at work that sends him scrambling for medical attention. Ms. Yuen breaks the news of Ti’s accident to Dicky just after he achieves a notable academic milestone without resorting to underhanded tactics.

But fate has another cruel twist in store: when Dickey arrives at the hospital, he’s met with devastating news - Ti has passed away. Refusing to accept the harsh reality, Dicky makes a beeline for home, only to find that CJ7 has somehow managed to channel its remarkable abilities into healing his fallen friend. The next morning, Dicky discovers Ti alive and well, slumbering peacefully beside him.

However, CJ7’s energy reserves are depleted, and it reverts to its original form - a doll. Dickey, now an emotional anchor, proudly wears CJ7 as a symbol of their unbreakable bond. As if the universe had one final surprise in store, a UFO materializes on the bridge before him, disgorging an array of colorful, patterned alien canines eerily similar to CJ7, all converging on Dickey under the leadership of a duplicate of his beloved robot companion.