ROMEO MUST DIE (2000)

MORGAN'S RATING

They've got the weapons. They've got the posses. And they've got no chance against former 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 Silver and starring Jet Li in his first English-language lead role. Li plays rough-and-ready Han, who shares an attraction with Trish O'Day even though their families are rivals in a fierce Oakland turf battle. The two also share plenty of danger as they try to find the real cause of the blood feud. No gun, no posse? No problem. With Jet Li going to war as only he can, Romeo Must Die is alive and kicking.

Jet Li (Han Sing), Aaliyah (Trish O'Day), Isaiah Washington (Mac), Russell Wong (Kai), DMX (Silk), Delroy Lindo (Issak O'Day), D.B. Woodside (Colin O'Day), Henry O (Ch'u Sing), Edoardo Ballerini (Vincent Roth), Jon Lee (Po Sing), Anthony Anderson (Maurice), Matthew Harrison (Dave), Terry Chan (Kung), Derek Lowe (Chinese Messenger), Ronin Wong (New Prisoner), Byron Lawson (Head Guard), Kendall Saunders (Colin's Girlfriend), Benz Antoinee (Crabman).

IN A WORLD OF VICIOUS RIVALRIES AND VIOLENT BETRAYALS ONLY ONE THING IS SURE...ROMEO MUST DIE.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Andrzej Bartkowiak (Exit Wounds). WRITERS: Mitchell Kapner, Eric Bernt and John Jarrell.

PRODUCERS: Joel Silver and Jim Van Wyck.

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS: Mitchell Kapner and Ilyse A. Reutlinger.

CO-PRODUCER: Warren Carr.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Dan Cracchiolo.

ORIGINAL MUSIC: Stanley Clarke.

DISTRIBUTOR: Warner Bros.

QUOTES

Kai:  I was afraid prison would make you soft. Han Sing: People don't get soft in prison.

FACTS

RELEASE DATE: March 22nd, 2000 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $18.0 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $55.9 million (USA) BUDGET: $25 million (USA) - When Trish dumps her bodyguard at the record store and hides in the cab, the bodyguard comes out and yells, "Trish, I'm gonna find your Aaliyah-lookin' ass!" The character Trish is played by singer Aaliyah. - The golf scene is filmed on the same golf course where Bob Barker beat up Happy Gilmore in the film Happy Gilmore (1996). - The x-ray "bone-breaking" sequences in the film are similar to the famous scene in Sonny Chiba's The Street Fighter [Gekitotsu! Satsujin ken (1974)]. However, the one's in this film are far more advanced, presumably through the use of CGI. - While in the record store we see many posters of different artists (such as R. Kelly) after Trish leaves the store Maurice stays and when he realizes that Trish has left, it shows him running towards the door and there is a poster of Aaliyah by the window.

Han: I can't hit a girl. Trish O'Day: Look, you can do that in China, but in America if a girl is kicking your ass you don't have to be a gentleman.

[Pointing a gun at Han] Mac: Sorry Romeo, but you gotta die.

Maurice: You're not the only one that knows some shit.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"Li's fight scenes are amazing and there honestly shouldn't be anybody going to see this film for any other reason." -- Jon Popick, Planet Sick-Boy

"Li's scenes are so clearly computer-aided that his moves are about as impressive as Bugs Bunny doing the same." -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times

"Romeo Must Die has a great look and an edgy feel, along with some broad swaths of humor." -- Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

"Romeo Must Die scores when it concentrates on Li's fast footwork and flying fists." -- Sean Means, Film.com

"Martial arts star Li's English-language starring debut has toned down the brutality to fashion a movie of slightly brader appeal. OK but overelaborate and overlong." -- Leonard Maltin