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Action/Adventure
ROMEO MUST DIE is the story of fathers and sons, of the
importance of blood, of star-crossed lovers willing to risk their
lives for their love. Two warring families, one Chinese, one African
American, are fighting for control of the Oakland waterfront. It's
an eye for an eye as members of each gang keep turning up
dead--including the son of Ch'u Sing, the Chinese gang leader, which
escalates the war to epic proportions. Into this fray comes Han Sing
(Jet Li), Ch'u's other son, a cop who has escaped from a Hong Kong
prison where he was serving time for not arresting his father and
brother. Han soon becomes a little too friendly with Trish O'Day
(Aaliyah), the daughter of Isaak O'Day (Delroy Lindo), the leader of
the African American gang. The growing romance between Han and Trish
parallels the growing body count.
ROMEO MUST DIE is a fast-paced, hip-hop retelling of the classic
Shakespeare tale. A thumping soundtrack and wicked special
effects--including martial arts battles in which the fighters
virtually fly through the air--add to the excitement. Jet Li and
Aaliyah turn in fine performances laced with just the right amount
of comedy. Director Andrzej Bartkowiak has a keen visual sense--he
previously served as cinematographer on such films as THE DEVIL'S
ADVOCATE, SPECIES, and SPEED--that pumps up such standard fare as
car chases, prison breaks, and even a pickup football game. The film
includes an awesome special effect that reveals a person's skeleton
as he dies--it has to be seen to be believed.
MPAA Rating: R for violence, some language, and brief
nudity.
Release Date: March 22, 2000 Nationwide. |
