Romeo Must Die

Name: Romeo Must Die
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller, Romance, Crime
Released: March 22, 2000
Duration: 115 min
Rating: 52
Cast: Aaliyah, Jet Li

2000

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 73 Ratings

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 73 Ratings

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Romeo Must Die

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: March 22, 2000 | R

Starring: Aaliyah, Jet Li

Summary: Loosely based on Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," this crime plot features Jet Li as an emprisoned son of a Chinese crime family who escapes his Hong Kong prison and flees to Oakland to avenge the death of his brother who is killed by the rival black crime family. Both families become involved in competing corrupt schemes to finance theLoosely based on Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," this crime plot features Jet Li as an emprisoned son of a Chinese crime family who escapes his Hong Kong prison and flees to Oakland to avenge the death of his brother who is killed by the rival black crime family. Both families become involved in competing corrupt schemes to finance the building of a waterfront football stadium.… Expand

Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak

Genre(s): Action, Drama, Thriller, Romance, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 115 min

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Critic Reviews

Kevin Thomas

Has a great look and an edgy feel, along with some broad swaths of humor.

TNT RoughCut Ryon Justin Horne

Although Romeo Must Die sets new standards for action films, the action drowns to a predictable and ridiculous plot.

Ernest Hardy

Doesn't even come close to being a good movie, but it is a lot of fun. Read full review

William Arnold

In fact, when not kicking butt, (Li)'s kind of a blank spot in the center of the screen. Read full review

Chris Kaltenbach

Just don't think about what's going on, and you should be OK. Read full review

Mr. Showbiz Kevin Maynard

Li's light touch and explosive fighting skills deserve a better vehicle than this overcooked pot of New Jack suey. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

So needlessly convoluted, so crammed with subplots within subplots, it simply forgets about its gangland "Romeo & Juliet" premise. Read full review

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User Reviews

Kai82

Jun 25, 2021

A really enjoyable movie with a really good jet Li. I know that today other movie set the bar higher but back then it was really enjoyable. It is loosely based on Romeo and Juliet but set in modern times in Oakland. There is an uneasy settlement between the Chinese and Afroamerican familiesA really enjoyable movie with a really good jet Li. I know that today other movie set the bar higher but back then it was really enjoyable. It is loosely based on Romeo and Juliet but set in modern times in Oakland. There is an uneasy settlement between the Chinese and Afroamerican families who rule the streets. When the son of the leading Chinese patriarch is murdered in a provoking way a gang war is imminent. Jet Li plays the now only son of the patriarch who escape prison from Hongkong where he was jailed because he helped his father escape from justice. He moves to Oakland to avenge his brother. On his investigation he discovers some inconsistencies and ask Trish played by Aaliyah the daughter of the Afroamerican leader for help because his brother wanted to contact her before his death. That is the interesting set up. The story has some good twist and revelations I wont spoil. I was surprised that they don't put the spotlight only on action and martial arts. They deliver a good story with solid character development with believable motives. The acting alone is praiseworthy. Jet Li and Aaaliyah have great chemistry and deserve credit for their performance. It doesn't end here. Henry O as patriarch of the Chinese families, Isaak O’Day as leader of the Afroamericans and their right hand men Isaiah Washington and Russel Wong are excellent. Bonus points for Maurice (Anthony Anderson) who is used for some comic relief. All actors are well chosen. The fight scenes were choreographed by Corey Yuen. He is great actor / choreographer and you should defiantly read his resume. The fights were awesome, well choreographed with an impact and intense you can feel. They used a damage view for some hits were you see the impact on the bones. It was new at the time and spectacular. Mortal Kombat used something like this later (videogames not movie). Then there is the soundtrack. We got some pretty good tracks with “Try again”, It really don't Matter, Pump the breaks, Revival and Swung on. AT last while the movie has a serious tone they have also a good sense of humour. Especially a scene with the leaders of the Chinese families. Overall this should have received praise and regarded classic. I don't know why movies like this will be forgotten.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

LyanH.

Jun 30, 2006

forget the critics this movie was great. It had a perfect balance of action, drama and romance and I believe Aaliyah did great to say this is her first film.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Stagger74

Jul 16, 2021

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2 of 3 users found this helpful21

Acquit77

Jul 17, 2021

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1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Aerialist277

Jun 19, 2021

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4 of 4 users found this helpful40

Embalmer98

Jun 10, 2021

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7 of 7 users found this helpful70

survivorfan989

May 20, 2013

I've seen this film once before and I didn't think much of it but I thought I would give it another chance, but no this really isn't a film for me. It has a lot of action and fight scenes, obviously made for Jet Li, but lacks substance. The only real reason I watched it in the first placeI've seen this film once before and I didn't think much of it but I thought I would give it another chance, but no this really isn't a film for me. It has a lot of action and fight scenes, obviously made for Jet Li, but lacks substance. The only real reason I watched it in the first place was Aaliyah, and yeah she's pretty hot in it but acting wise she isn't really up there. Honorable mention to the awkward death scenes with heart-bursting special effects Overall it's OK, but nothing special.… Expand

3 of 18 users found this helpful315

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87	#87 Most Discussed Movie of 2000
55	#55 Most Shared Movie of 2000