"It's your job, right? You know, the guy who kills me, I hope he does it 'cause he hates my gut...
"It's your job, right? You know, the guy who kills me, I hope he does it 'cause he hates my guts. Not 'cause it's his job" - Sonny (Al Pacino) in 'Dog Day Afternoon' (1975)
Member since:26.02.2003
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From the producer 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 by a rival, African family. At first, Han comes over to America to find his brother's killer but begins to share an attraction with the rival crime boss' daughter Trish O'Day (Aaliyah) despite their two families being locked in a turf war. Together they try to find the reasons behind the bloodshed and betrayl with danger lurking behind every corner. Jet Li is forced to fight the only way he knows how.
This film is influenced somewhat by the play 'Romeo & Julliet' (it's easy to spot the similarities) but I have to say: THIS AIN'T NO SHAKESPEAR. Another big influence is "The Matrix" but this film focuses more on the martial arts and wires instead of the slow motion bullets (bullet time). The action is spaced out through the film well, there's never a moment where you're too bored. Yes, the wires make some of the more elaborate sequences look fake but it's still fun to watch. Watching Jet Li take out a dozen bad guys with one single martial arts move does bring a smile to your face.
Performances aren't too brilliant but hats off to Jet Li as this is his first Englsh lead role and he can clearly handle the presures that come with that responsibility. Aaliyah is convincing as the daughter of a crime boss who doesn't want anything to do with the illegal activities that he's into. Li and Aaliyah's characters portray the 'Romeo' & 'Julliet' but it is a surprise that they don't actually 'get together', it's one movie cliche that has been denied in this film. Delroy Lindo is alright as the African crime boos who isn't all; "i'm gonna bust you're mother f***ing head open" about his job but instead is more understanding and commercial. DMX makes his screen debut as casino owner, Silk and is formitable at doing so. Antony Anderson is the 'token black guy' who's character was only written so Jet Li has someone to whoop on a regular basis. There's hardly any character development in the African family but there is an attempt on the Chinese front concerning Han's (Li) father and brother.
The soundtrack is very 'urban' and rap. I personally don't mind this kind of music but it's no means my favourite, it does suit the LA gangster tone of the film. The sometimes offensive lyrics don't offend me at all (it takes quite a bit to offend me) but my parents wern't too pleased when they sat down to watch it. Evaluatng from this, this is definately a film for cult audiences and will probably appeal more to the male population.
The locations are colourful and the fighting is slick and energetic. It is a shame that the script tries to be compelling but trips up. But saying 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
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Martial Arts - Director: Prachya Pinkaew - Original Language: English\Vietnamese\Thai\Mandarin - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Tony Jaa, Bongkoj Khongmalai, Petchtai Wongkamlao
Production Year: 1972 - Martial Arts - Director: Bruce Lee - Original Language: English\Cantonese\Chinese - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Bruce Lee, Nora Miao, Chuck Norris, Robert Wall, Jon T. Benn
Production Year: 1981 - Martial Arts - Director: Kenji Misumi, Robert Houston - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Kayo Matsuo, Minoru Ohki, Akiji Kobayashi, Shin Kishida, Masahiro Tomikawa, Tomisaburo Wakayama
I can see you are definately a Jet Li fan, though I prefer Jackie Chan myself. Didn't like this film either, but you still crank out another influential and well written review...Chris xxx
DBZKing 31.05.2004 16:52
i really liked all the kung-fu in this film... good review - Golden
Paul32 17.05.2004 21:51
Good op. I like this film a lot, it has all the neccesary ingredients for a modern martial arts film, action, comedy, music, setting, twist etc etc. Not too taxing - just enjoyable for what it is.
Cinematographer Andrzej Bartkowiak, the cameraman behindSpeed,Lethal Weapon 4, andThe ... more
Devil's Advocate, makes his directorial debut with a lively but by-the-numbers film that mixes Hong Kong action pyrotechnics with gritty urban gang drama. Jet Li star...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Cinematographer Andrzej Bartkowiak, the cameraman behindSpeed,Lethal Weapon 4, andThe ... more
Devil's Advocate, makes his directorial debut with a lively but by-the-numbers film that mixes Hong Kong action pyrotechnics with gritty urban gang drama. Jet Li star...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
They've got the weapons. And they've got no chance against former Hong Kong cop Han Sing. ... more
Gravity-warping martial arts cool visual effects and an all-star music track combine in this revved-up action movie from producer Joel Silver (The Matrix) and st...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
They've got the weapons. They've got the posses. And they've got no chance against former ... more
Hong Kong cop Han Sing. Gravity-warping martial arts, cool visual effects and an all-star music track combine in this revved-up action movie from producer Joel Si...
Advantages: Produced by Joe Silver(Matrix) Aaliyah, Jet Ali play roles well. Good special Features. Disadvantages: Weak ending. Actions scenes are not as good as the Matrix. Story line is to predicatable.
pasnip2000 29.04.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)
Advantages: good story/acting, excellent soundtrack, bursting with special features Disadvantages: *slight* predictability though not too much to put you off the movie itself. Game on PC enhancement not worth playing.
Fiz_whiz 19.09.2002 (19.09.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Romeo Must Die (DVD)
![Romeo Must Die [DVD] [2000]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78549142.jpg "Romeo Must Die [DVD] [2000]")
Mar 9th, 2003
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