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Why is this so special?

This is basic compiler design 101.

The Java VM is just a possible implementation for the Java language.

The fact that many mix "Java the language", with "Java the Virtual Machine", is a consequence of the lack of knowledge in compiler design that seems so common nowadays.

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Though I'd generally agree with your last statement (and relish in the amazement on one's face when I show them disassembled JVM bytecode for the first time), I'd have to say that this is still quite a "special" feat whether you've written a virtual machine/compiler/interpreter before or not. I haven't had enough time with the source as of yet, but I'd wager to say that there is most likely a lot more going on than just caching already-cross-compiled classes or basic opcode mappings. Not to forget that this project looks to be quite literally implementing from the JVM spec (a la Apache Harmony).

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