Rating: 
Summary: Romeo should have died.
Review: Romeo Must Die is terrible for several reasons. First of all, it features a story that's absolutely stupid and boring, and the filmmakers actually try to make it a lot more complex than it actually is. The fight scenes lack excitement, and the wirework doesn't help, either. Then there's the so-called romance, which probably should have been excised completely because no heat is generated between Jet Li and Aaliyah.
Rating: 
Summary: big disappointment!
Review: This movie isn't even worth a rental. The acting was weak and I expected to see some great moves by Jet Li one of the finest at martial arts but those scences were far between and not enoough. Did jet no justice to his talents. The overall plot was boring, Hope Jet gets into a movie were he can really show off his talents.
Rating:
Summary: everyone just settle down now........please?
Review: Jet Li is a perfectionist. Especially when it comes to wushu fight scenes in his movies. Apparently, however, he was imperfect when choosing to do "Romeo Must Die." Don't get me wrong, this movie is very watchable and has some fun fight scenes, but for my money Jet Li vs. a garbage can could have more potential than parts of this movie. On the flip side of that coin I have to give producer Joel Silver (Matrix, Lethal Weapon 4) credit for taking a script with a mediocre story and creating an at least entertaining film. He found one of the most experienced martial arts directors in the business, he landed the top martial arts stars in the world, and incorporated some interesting new special x-ray like effects. With all that said, if you're a Jet Li fan and if you still can't get attached to the plot and the high wire acrobats are still too corny for you, do the film and Jet a favor and check out the DVD so you at least know what the filmmakers were attempting to do with this movie. It was written by an american, produced by an american, and shot in america. It's not supposed to be a Chinese movie. It's merely the first stab of what I hope will become a super-action genre where true martial arts and special effects can coincide without other people trying to anchor it down by not realizing the potential for the bigger and the better.
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie for martial arts lovers.
Review: This is a great movie for anyone who loves martial arts. The fighting scenes are beautifully choreographed. I especially love the scene where Jet Li uses Aaliya's body to fight off a female attacker.
Rating:
Summary: This is a movie designed for most everyone, and it succeeds.
Review: There are people out there that seem to have gotten the wrong impression about this movie: that it's Jet Li's show. Well, it's not. And once you get over that, you'll find this to be a very good, though formulaic (in the Shakespearian sense) movie that has everything people ask for. There is love (eh, I guess it's love), fighting (eh, it's really the computer fighting for them), feuding families (yes, they are kind of feuding), and in the end the boy gets the girl or they become really close friends. Something like that. But you see this movie for the action, not the sappy sweet lovey dovey thing. I liked this DVD. If it wasn't in such a format, I wouldn't suggest buying it--a VHS tape with just this movie is not worth it. Luckily, the DVD has all kinds of fun things to do around the movie. There are two videos with it of Aaliyah, so how can you go wrong?
Rating:
Summary: Wherefore Art Thou Indeed, Romeo?
Review: There's a basic connection to Shakespeare, but more so with the title and critics insisting upon it, then in reality. Warring gangs, lovers from the different sides of the tracks, yes. Poetry? Romance? No. There's little chemistry between Jet Li and Aaliyah as romantic lovers. They seem to like each other, and they finally act like pretty good friends and partners, but not romantic ones. There's a couple of pop hits on the soundtracks too. What the film is closest to is the Blaxploitation films of the 70's. Really. You even have a comic relief clownish black character. The concentration of screen time is on the black gangster and as head of the Black family contingent, Delroy Lindo does a nice believable job. There are over-the top action sequences, car chases, gun battles and a memorable animated/cgi effect which lets the film-makers avoid showing too much gore, by showing x-rays of skeletons or vital organs getting broken or pierced (a heart). Unfortunately Jet Li who often uses wires in his action sequences, does so very noticeably here. He has an amazing agility and ability that rivals Jackie Chan, (without the deftness of humor)but its obviously faked in several scenes I was reminded more of mid 70's chop socky flicks with fighters bouncing off trampolines and flying in the air, then 90's action films. Jet Li demonstrates he has the charisma, charm and of course agility to be an American box office star. They really need to find for him an American Once Upon in China (part 1, and 2, the best of his films to date) to satisfy his fans. He made Lethal Weapon 4 almost worth watching and is one of this film's strength. But just as this film should crackle with an exciting fight scene, an obvious cgi/or mediocre wire effect is used to enhance the sequence which ruins the suspension of disbelief we have. I will say it's not as dumb as some action films have become. Plot points are not hammered home several times throughout the movie. There seems to be much going on between the warring factions of gangsters, and there's a little bit of mystery as to who is responsible for what. The central plot has to do with a group of businessmen who are manipulating the Chinese and the Black Gangs to obtain the deeds to waterfront property in their neighborhoods so the businessmen can build a NFL football stadium there. Some people are killed in the process and one of them is the volatile son of a Chinese Gang boss. His other son, (who used to be a cop), Han (Jet Li) breaks out of prison in Hong Kong, comes to (presumably) the U.S.(--filmed in Vancouver B.C.) to find out who killed his brother. He almost immediately meets Aaliyah...by coincidence and rather unbelievably as well. There's an attraction (or supposed to be) and the rest of the plot basics are what you would expect from a West Side Story influenced action film. It's so many interpretations removed from Romeo and Juliet, it's a stretch to identify it closely with Shakespeare. A better than average action film, somewhat mis-using the skills that Jet Li brings to the screen by over-enhancing his ability with mediocre wire work-- unnecessarily. Chris Jarmick Author of The Glass Cocoon with Serena F. Holder - A steamy cyber thriller available January 2001. Please order it today. Thank You
Rating:
Summary: proof americans shouldn't make kung-fu films
Review: If your looking for a great Jet Li flick with some of the bestfight scenes you'll ever see without the use of wires(or at least verylimited use), do yourself a favour and check out FIST of LEGEND. Ifyour looking for a great Jet Li flick with some of the best fightscenes you'll ever see WITH the use of wires, do yourself anotherfavour and check out TAI-CHI MASTER(aka TWIN WARRIORS). Both thesefilms have good acting, a great story, and jaw dropping fightsequences. As well, Jet Li's acting and screen presence really shinethrough. In Romeo Must Die, it's as if the producers said, "OkJet, we don't need you to act(just look uncomfortable beside thestunning Aaliyah). Hell, we don't even need you to fight(we havecomputers for that now). We just want you to swing around on ourtrapeze(see the ridiculous football scene where Jet's HOLDING the ..wires!!!) and let us show off a couple of new FX we designed. But itwould be nice if we had your 'name'" It worked great in theMatrix(a fantasy setting using non-martial artists), and the wires arenot a disraction in Tai-Chi Master(they only add to the fun), but fora modern day, urban film with supposed 'normal' people? Americanfilmakers are always trying to rip-off overseas creativity, or eventheir own for that matter(see Matrix),only to fall flat on their faceslike they do with Romeo Must Die. I wanted to like it, wish I'd likedit, but it just plain stunk. Stick with the 2 I mentioned, or evenBlack Mask for that matter...they're all Jet Li, all asian, and theyall ROCK!
Rating:
Summary: Not jet lis best.
Review: I am a pretty big jet li fan, and i must say although this movie is decent, it definitely is not his best work.Movies like black mask and the defender are in my opinion a lot better,Not to say this is bad.Sure there is an appearance by dmx(and i could have done without his mediocre acting) and some great martial arts sequences , but nothing he hasnt done better before.the story line is basically the chineese and the blacks are sort of like two huge gangs, and they are against each other.Aaliya falls for li, so of course theres some conflict.The story line just seems to lack something for some reason though.If you are a jet li fan, check out the defender or lack mask, or any of his others.If you like martial arts movies, you will find some if not a lot of enjoment with this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining and Fun
Review: Alright, so the effects and action are some times a bit over the top, but in my opinion it works for this movie. Visually pleasing, this movie takes you through a R&J-esque storyline, without boring the viewer with the same old Shakespearian cliche's. Jet Li's performance is wonderful as always, but I though that Aaliyah was a vibrant addition to the cast. While not quite a dramtical masterpeice, this movie puts out what I beleive it's meant to accomplish - it's entertaining from beginning to end!
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining but a bit silly.
Review: Like the title suggest this film is a loose take on the Shakespeare play. I purchased this DVD with the hope that I was about to witness something spectacular after being ... (or ... in) by the action packed trailer. A lot was made of the visual effects and fight sequences - indeed the same effects people who worked on The Matrix applied their craft to Romeo Must Die. Again, the computer generated effects that have been sporadically spliced into the film are very well done and add much to the action rather than break up the flow or steal the scene. However, the expertly choreographed fight sequences were ruined somewhat by poor editing and dubious camera work. Many of the fights were shot too close to the action which leaves the viewer struggling to determine who has just karate chopped whom. Those that buy this DVD for the fight scenes will be left disappointed at the amateurishly obvious wire work used to make the characters do superhuman karate type moves. Whilst the 'magical kung-fu' (men jumping 30 ft into the air to karate kick 5 bad guys) worked for The Matrix it didn't feel right in this movie. Whilst the Matrix is set within a make-believe world in the future where things like this could be plausible (if you pretended hard enough), Romeo must Die is set in modern time America, so whenever Jet Li did fly elegantly through the air kicking his little legs about knocking bad guys left and right, it just makes it that much harder to suspend disbelief. The DVD features are very decent with in-depth 'making of' featurettes that were very entertaining to watch. The music videos from Aaliyah also add that little extra. This DVD is a fun and entertaining movie to watch but just don't expect a riveting story, side-splitting jokes, or heart stopping action. Instead, just expect a film that delivers all of those qualities in small amounts. 4 Stars for effort, but a mediocre 3 for achievement.
| 
