In popular culture, Asian parents are often stereotypically shown to push their children to become overachievers in every possible way. This might not be applicable to everyone, but there is a grain of truth to it – just look at how some Malaysian mums and dads are!

While having achievements in life is hardly a bad thing, forcing kids to go down paths they are not interested in is bound to result in familial conflict.

This scenario is exactly what sets the plot of “Mozart from Space” into motion, as it sees a father pitted against his teenage son.

Directed by Chen Sicheng, this Chinese comedy is quite the fantastical flick: the titular Mozart is not a reference to the Austrian musical maestro, but rather an alien from a galaxy far, far away, here on a secret mission with potentially sinister motives.

Still, there are more terrestrial matters at hand, as somewhere in Beijing, conflict brews. Spoilers ahead.

Thirteen-year-old Ren Xiaotian (played by Rong Zishan) is an aspiring astronomer who longs to see what the universe has to offer. But his father, Ren Dawang (Bo Huang), has different plans for his son, as he believes the only way the younger Ren can succeed in life is to become a world-famous pianist.

To that end, despite Xiaotian’s reluctance and protests, Dawang does everything in his power to set his son on his musical path – as odd as it might sound for a parent to actually want their children to pursue a career in the performing arts.

Of course, once Mozart enters Xiaotian’s life, things start to take a turn as the alien’s musical talents end up coming in handy for the teenager. Hijinks, of course, ensue!

At its core, “Mozart from Space” is a pretty simple film that might remind you of another Hong Kong-Chinese feature with a similarly cute alien in it – Stephen Chow’s “CJ7”.

Indeed, some plot elements will be familiar to folks who have watched enough films with aliens that end up in suburban family homes. You have the friend who is let in on the secret; a scene where the alien trounces a bully who regularly torments the main character; and comical misunderstandings regarding human culture.

In that regard, “Mozart from Space” doesn’t do anything too revolutionary, choosing instead to largely play it safe.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, however, as it still does its job of making the audience have a laugh. Some of the jokes land well, especially those that pertain to how members of modern-day Chinese families interact with one another.

The name “Mozart” also ends up causing quite a bit of comedic confusion, with some unknowing side characters thinking the main players are raving about a dead composer.

All said and done, the strength of the film actually lies in its theme of familial conflict, with that of the father and son being key. Despite it being a comedy, there are surprisingly well-executed moments of gravity where the parental issues portrayed may resound with audience members.

Dawang, while something of a deadbeat dad, does genuinely wish for his son’s future success, even if the way he goes about it is questionable. Local viewers might cringe at childhood memories of constantly being compared with others, which is what Dawang does frequently to Xiaotian.

It’s eventually revealed that Dawang had given up a successful music career to watch his son grow up, explaining his obsession with making him a musician.

The younger Ren, meanwhile, knows full well that his father is actually using him to make up for his personal failures. But if being forced to live in someone’s shadow is excruciating enough as an adult, it’s even worse for a child.

In one heated exchange, Dawang tries to guilt Xiaotian into complying, saying: “Everything I did was for your sake!” To this, Xiaotian quite harshly but honestly responds: “Then don’t use me as compensation for your failure.” Oof.

It’s all very stirring stuff, demonstrating how “Mozart in Space” has a surprising amount of heart for a film that’s largely about the hilarious antics of a thankfully insightful, and not annoying, alien character.

And, with a sequel being hinted at by the end of the movie, perhaps the next instalment could be a little more daring with its plot while preserving its charm.

‘Mozart from Space’ is playing in cinemas nationwide.