Home :: DVD :: Art House & International :: Asian Cinema  

Asian Cinema

British Cinema
European Cinema
General
Latin American Cinema
Romeo Must Die

Romeo Must Die

List Price: $14.97
Your Price: $13.47
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 .. 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 >>

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Good, but not what he's fully capable of
Review: Don't get me wrong, this movie blows "Black Mask" out of the universe, but it's still not what Jet's truly capable of putting out. The fight scenes are great (especially when he disarms a group of guys with wire ties as he goes along), but the use of wires here and there make it seem unrealistic. Jet, you're an awesome fighter and don't need to use wires, so lose them, ok?? Not as much flying around as in BM, but it's still there. Russell Wong makes an incredible villian, and his martial arts work is fluid and graceful. We definitely need to see him in something else soon! The plot is stretched reeeeeally thin, but it's still good. I'd suggest seeing it at least once, but I don't know that you'll go for repeated viewings. "Fist of Legend" is the best of the best of his, so get to that one too.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Pretty good
Review: Romeo Must Die was an all-in-all great movie. It is basically about a "war" between 2 families fighting for Waterfront property, and Jet Li (Han)and Aaliyah (Trish) somehow ends up meeting in a cab. Jet Li than follows her a lot and from there, their relationship grows. The end reveals surprise. (not really, just from what should have been).The fight scenes were magnificent and somewhat resembled the Matrix.(same creator). The X-ray effect was new to me and pretty cool (shows what happens in the body). Although, compared to another Chinese TV show (Yan Zi Li 3), the fight scenes were a so-so. They don't show China and Hong Kong true fighting skills though. Although the trick over and under the leg with the hose was pretty entertaining. If you're really interested in some gravity-warping fighting, go rent a Chinese ancient movie.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Hip Hop meets Kung-Fu
Review: In this martial arts version of the Romeo & Juliet tale, Hong Kong star Jet Li plays a former cop who is wrongly sent to prison only to 'break out' when he learns of the gang related death of his brother. He then makes his way to Oakland, California where a 'gang war' is waging between a Black family and a Chinese family over waterfront property that is wanted for a proposed football stadium. Of course the Black mob daddy is really a good man at heart and the Chinese mob boss is so greedy and ruthless he will even sacrifice his own children. And where are the ebonics? Since when do Black Oakland mobsters sound so White-wash?

Anyway, Li meets up with the Black mob daddy's daughter played by Hip Hop singer Aaliyah in a less than great preformance. There really is no romance here as Li and Aaliyah mostly exchange words, but that isn't surprising as this film is really meant to showcase Li's Wu-Shu skills. Which, believe it or not, are a big let down. Why? Simple, Li's moves are so unreal, so impossible you have to ask - What's the point? It simply can't be done! In fact, with all the computer FX and wires used for the fighting, *I* could be the next martial arts star.

The film is also submerged in an obnoxious Hip Hop/Rap soundtrack so damn intrusive, the "lyrics" almost replace the "dialogue".

It's obvious who the target audience is. Do yourself a favor, skip this worthless film and check out 'Fist Of Legend'.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Good movie and good fight scenes.
Review: So I watched it last night. It was a pretty good movie for a few reasons, good fight scenes and a little Jackie Chan type humor thrown in. The plot was pretty good and somewhat original variation of the whole Romeo & Juliet theme. There was mostly a black theme to this movie. I liked it but could easily see others not enjoying it for that reason.

It was interesting that they used some special effects, reminiscent of those used in Three Kings. The real-time switching to x-ray vision to see breaking bones was a nice effect for the arm but was overdone on the spinal column compression.

All in all I thought it was a good enough movie. I could have done a better job but it was still well worth watching. I can easily see how the reviews were mixed. This was definitely loosening up the boundaries of Jet Li's acting. He appeared a little more normal than anything else that I've seen him in. His English was even pretty good.

Fighting scenes were definitely reflecting the influence of Americanization. Gone were the quick little accurate blows that leave an opponent instantly stunned. They were there but just not as often. Present were the lengthy extension strikes and total body motion displacement more typical of Americanized fight scenes. This being similar to the difference between a hard style more like real Koreans using Tae-kwon-do and larger movements of Chinese Kung Fu. It wasn't a big difference but was noticeable.

Russell Wong did a good job but deserves more exposure. I expected to see more of him in action movies after the Vanishing Son series. Maybe he is more interested in serious acting or was practicing the vanishing thing. He's a very good actor and deserving of more interesting parts.

I would watch it again but I'm not sure yet whether I want the DVD.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent Movie
Review: One of the best action-packed movies I have ever seen. Spectacular fight scenes. Killer car and motorcycle races. Overall this is one of the absolute best movies for someone who is in to martial arts, great cars and clothes, and a lot of action and guns.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Don't Listen Those Other Worthless Reviews!
Review: Hey, Jet Li is in this movie. The story and music may not be good, but hey the best martial arts fighter in the world is in this movie! Any movie with Jet Li in it is a MUST-SEE! Don't listen to those other worthless reviews that says it rots, it rules go see it and you'll see what I mean!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A new Jet Li?
Review: I must say, this is definitly one of the better movies i've seen this year. Jet Li's wushu didnt have the same feel to it as his other movies, but the movie still rocked. I was disappointed that the movie didnt elaborate more on the building relationship between Li and Allayah. But, then again, who goes to see and action flick for a cheesy romance story? All in all, a good film, a must see for anyone who likes action.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Romeo lives on...
Review: "Romeo Must Die" is a great martial arts film starring the highly talented Jet Li. His style of fighting cannot be compared to, by any means. Also starring in this movie are Aaliyah, Delroy Lindo, and Russel Wong (another talented martial artist). With great action sequences, a great plot, and cute humor, you're sure to enjoy this movie. I have owned this movie since it's theater release, and have watched it nearly every day...and have not gotten tired of it.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A Different Take From The Master
Review: This film is definitely different for Jet Li, and new is always good, right? Not necessarily. This film was, I would say, decent, but in no way showcases the true skills of Li, as a film like Fist of Legend or even some of the cheesier Chinese films such as Tai Chi Master and Once Upon a Time In Chine. The fights are over edited with cgi that kills the action. Where wires, though fake, have a fluid beauty in movement, the cgi just looks stupid, and obviously stupid at that. However, the film has some style in the directing, decent amounts of action, and Jet and Aaliyah do well together, though what romance there was felt rather tacked on. (But then, who goes to a Jet Li movie for romance?). All in all, the movie has a nifty plot (which usually happens when you borrow from someone like Shakespeare), decent performances (I've always been a fan of Delroy Lindo), and some good action. If you haven't seen much Jet Li be aware that this is not representative of his style or ability. However it is worth the viewing.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Where's the romance?
Review: A few things about this film really bothered me and brought my rating down. First, the fight scenes were shot from close range and edited too quickly to really show off Jet Li's martial arts talents. Second, the relationship between the two leads was more of a buddy relationship than a romantic/sexual one (not good in a film with a Romeo and Juliet reference in the title). Third, and this one is a SPOILER, the movie doesn't live up to the title. If you name a film "Romeo Must Die", then Romeo had better die.


<< 1 .. 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates