Romeo Must Die (DVD)

Romeo Must Die – action filled, stunt-tastic and special FX galore with a brilliant soundtrack – need anymore reasons to see this? The DVD itself comes cased in a regular DVD case and the artwork on the front is some nice black and white photography showing the faces of both Jet Li and Aaliyah. The title of the DVD is written in a red graffiti-ish scrawl and really stands out on the dark background. The usual movie details and a couple of still ...
...haven’t seen this yet. Romeo Must Die has been marketed as a fusion of Hip Hop and Kung Fu and though rather odd, I feel the combination has worked superbly throughout this film. What attracted me to this the most was that this was the film debut of (the now late) Aaliyah who happens to be one of my fave RnB stars. The soundtracks to the film are awesome and being from the Hip Hop genre adds to the atmosphere of gang warfare which is theme of this ...

Fiz_whiz 19.09.2002 · Read full review
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Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)

...• The Movie • Romeo Must Die was Jet Li's breakthrough movie into mainstream Western cinema. Yes, I know before then he had appeared in Lethal Weapon 4 but let's be honest, no one was paying much attention to him or knew that back in his homeland he already had around 20-something movies under his belt and was one of their biggest stars when they saw that now were they? Mention he was in it now to people and they're like "oh that was Jet ...
...in hope eh? Anyhoo, Romeo Must Die is basically yet another reworking of the Romeo & Julliet thing with a whole heap of martial arts action thrown into the mix. We have a black gang and a chinese gang warring over a bit of docklands turf and a few contrivances later we end up with the son of the Chinese gang leader(Jet Li) getting involved with the daughter(Aaliyah) of the black gang leader(Delroy Lindo). Trouble and strife ensue, lots of gun play, ...

wampyrii 01.02.2003 (03.02.2003) · Read full review
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Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)

Romeo Must Die is Shakespearean influenced martial art film set in a trendy hip-hop style backdrop that stars the unbelievably talented martial artist Jet Li and is, unfortunately, decidedly average. The plot is convoluted and almost nonsensical (as is often the case in this genre), the fight scenes are few and far between and Jet Li, beyond his awesome fighting skills, appears to be a limited actor. Put simply when the best thing in a movie is a ...
...original and impressive filmmaking. Romeo Must Die is sadly an unwelcome return to the Steven Seagal school of filmmaking. Anyway enough ranting what’s it all about. The plot is flimsily ‘based’ on its namesake Romeo and Juliet or perhaps more realistically West Side Story and concerns two rival factions, the African Americans and the Chinese mobs who control the waterfront in Oakland. When the land they control becomes the potential ...

Mercury 21.06.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)

ROMEO MUST DIE -------------------- The film is based on two feuding families the first is a Chinese family, who are set deep in tradition and history, headed by the cold-blooded Kai (Russell Wong) and the second is a Black American family, led by (Delroy Lindo) the deep down good-hearted Isaack O’Day, who are trapped in gangland style family war over control of the city’s precious waterfront land, the proposed site of a new stadium. For which much ...
...The story borrows the famous Romeo name and does not really have anything to do with the famous story – but there are more than enough twists in the tale to keep you glued to the screen with all the characters being both absorbing and believable and very well defined. ACTING Jet Li is a really big star when it comes to fans of martial arts movies like myself and like the matrix which is also made by the same people he brings that Eastern touch to ...

StreetWise 06.11.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)

...a theme of family loyalty. Romeo Must Die has more double crosses than a Playtex factory, and family issues? More than a 12 hour Jerry Springer marathon. So what went wrong? Jet Li (Lethal Weapon 4) stars as Han Sing, and comes to America (after an impressive jail break) to avenge the death of his brother. Ching! Check the “family loyalty” box. Meanwhile, the late R’n’B star Alliyah (as Trish O’Day) is lamenting her ...
...And this is where the Romeo part of the title comes in, because this is the loosest retelling possible of the Romeo & Juliet story – warring families and (potential) lovers from both sides. And that’s where the similarities end, as the families war against each other and Han gets closer to finding out who killed his brother. Trish is drawn further into the mix as her brother becomes a victim of the gang war. Now, there are no surprises ...

peppersinclaire 02.10.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)

...Hop meets Martial Arts fusion, Romeo Must Die is an effective action movie that is genuinely very entertaining. The film portrays two warring gangland families - one black, the other Chinese - who are about to venture into a joint contract with a property developer. When the son of the Chinese family is found murdered, suspicion becomes rife as to who is responsible, which threatens the fragile peace between the two factions. Han Sing is another ...
...towards a modern-day rendition of Romeo And Juliet - but this is not a love story. The relationship that develops between the two lead characters is purely based on friendship, and I for one found them all the more likeable as a result. Fans of martial arts movies will certainly appreciate the fight sequences in Romeo, which utilise both skilful choreography, and visual effects - very much like the fight scenes in the Matrix. There are some very ...

LostWitness 11.06.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)

Having awaited the release of this film for over a year, I must admit I was a little disappointed with the way it was executed. However, that is purely because I am a kung fu fan and therefore judged the film more on the quality of the fights than the storyline. Storyline The story follows ex-cop Han Sing (Jet Li), a martial arts expert who falls in love with a Trish O'day (Aaliyah), a woman from a rival racial group. The couple proceed to ...
...two groups, uncovering perhaps more than they expected. The plot contains obvious similarities to the famous Shakespearean work, although fails to deliver the same impact. However, it still remains entertaining, and one does not need to be a fan of Shakespeare to enjoy it. Martial Arts Jet Li is undoubtedly one of the best martial artists ever to emerge from Hong Kong. Which is why I was shocked to see so many special effects used in the fight ...

krabople 11.09.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)

...bits (to my relief). The Romeo and Juliet theme can be scene in the two ‘families’ at odds with each other and the romance between members of both echoing the two ‘star-crossed’ lovers, but it is in no way an adaptation of the Shakespearean classic. The film does contain some comical moments as well, and most of them usually involve the over-sized, bumbling henchman Maurice, acted by Anthony Anderson (Me, Myself and Irene ...
...Overall this film is not brilliant, a Martial Arts film with a Matrix-esque input. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see it and, especially if you like martial arts, this is a must see film to catch Jet Li in his first, and by no means last, Hollywood film. He is definitely set-up for greater things, and is even set to eclipse Jackie Chan. ...

Saul_Walker 21.02.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)

...is. unless you have seen Romeo Must Die. I was sceptical as to how it would work with the R n B sound track, having listened to the CD previousely and was not impressed. However, the music did surprisingly suit the theme and style of the film. Possibly due to the African feel of the film. I found that there were times when the music seemed to dominate the film, but generally it was used as a subtle counter-point to the films stunning visuals. I ...
...decade. The violence within Romeo Must Die was counter pointed by the justification which you felt Han (Jet Lee) worked by. With the added humour which was scattered throughout the film, enough to add a more light-hearted feel to the film, without deviating from the thrust of the story. This was capitalised by the fact that you began to feel sorry for Maurice towards the end, as you just knew what was going to befall him! Without meaning to spoil ...

the_king_of_zombie_lurve 11.10.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)

...this is my review on Romeo Must Die. I got a copied version of this off of the Internet, from Yahoo Auctions. Unfortunately I found it unwatchable due to the bad picture and Japanese subtitles which could not be taken off. But luckily on Xmas 2001 I got it, the real English version and I was reasonably pleased with the purchase. Jet Ali is Former Hong Kong cop Han Sing. And the lovely Aaliyah is the beautiful daughter who falls in love with Han ...
...this revved-up action movie of Romeo and Juliet. Well that's what the box says, minus the Romeo & Juliet part. This film is shares so much of its plot with Romeo & Juliet that you begin to think it is. There are two raging families and two star crossed lovers from each family stuck right in-between the action. I will be truthful, once you have watched it once you probably won't watch it again. It is that sought of film. The action scenes of the ...

pasnip2000 29.04.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)

...of "The Matrix" (Joel Silver), Romeo Must Die stars Jet Li as former Hong Kong cop Han Sing in a fast and furious action thriller with mind blowing martial arts and explosive set pieces. Jet Li ("The One", "Kiss of the Dragon") plays former police officer Han who has just escaped from a prison in Hong Kong after hearing that his brother (in America) has been killed. Han's father is the head of a Chinese crime family and Han's brother had been killed ...
...that, this film is a great saturday night movie and makes for good entertainment. The direction (from Andrzej Bartkowiak - "Cradle 2 The Grave") is a slick as the action and overall style of the film. Romeo Must Die is alive and kicking! Certificate: 15 Time Approx: 110 minutes ...

DarkMark 09.03.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)

I had the pleasure of seeing this film in Brussels (in English with French and Flemish subtitles, a truly bizarre experience) back in August, as it was on general release on the Continent some time ago. Put simply, this is a very well made martial arts action film, which does a slightly different take on the theme of racial conflict - instead of the hackneyed approach that has brought years of East v. West or white v. any other coloured skin you ...
...oriental and black gangs in the US. Delroy Lindo is outstanding as the gang leader trying to protect his turf, his son, his pride and his fortune at the same time as going straight and fending off the incursions made by the Triad-style gangs into his areas of control. The oriental gang patriarchs meanwhile attempt to instil the ancient values of honour and obedience into their subordinates, who are tempted to excess by the taste of the American dream ...

Flodum 06.11.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)

...very loosely on the famous Romeo and Juliet story – there are more twists in the tale for a start. For one, our young heroes aren’t on the best of terms with their families, and with good reason. Near the end, it’s revealed that members of both families have betrayed and gone against their own people. The characters are absorbing, believable and well defined. The plot is another story. I guess it’s an original interpretation of a well-known play, ...
...slow moving and lacking in passion. ACTING I hear that Jet Li is a really big star when it comes to fans of martial arts movies, and he is certainly very impressive in the film, both in the fighting and the acting departments. He’s really intense and he and his co-star Aaliyah definitely have some chemistry. Aaliyah is actually more widely known as a funky R ‘n’ B singer, but she is equally as good an actress as any of the rest of the cast. Her ...

drusilla 26.04.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)

...movie as a descendant of Romeo and Juliet but Romeo Must Die is not anything like it in reality. The only comparisons these two movies share is that they are very losely based on each other, two gangs fighting etc. The actors list is quite immense and among them are some faces you may have seen before, most commonly being of course DMX and Aaliyah as they burst from their singing carreers to have a taste on the action film market. Jet Li is well ...
...team that handled the Matrix, Romeo must Die certainly is no exception and Jet kicks round with almost superhuman powers but they do have a boundary and thats what I like. The cables and effects are just there to emphasise the impact of a blow and the speed and finesse of Jet. Just because this is an action film doesnt mean there arent any lines that you may remember, there are loads along with scenes that you remember and the acting throughout ...

tigerblade 08.12.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)

Jet Li's latest film with Aaliyah is stunning. The stunts and special effcts are amazing. The Cinematography of the film too was spectacular. For an Kung fu action flim it had a semi-decent plot to boot. This is an excellent film. At first I was put off by the name, to me it seemed like another trashy Jackie Chan esque film. I couldn't have been more wrong. I am extremely glad I saw the film. The soundtrack to the film is wonderful with contributions ...

Phattyd 17.08.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)