From Deseret News archives:
Romeo Must Die
Film review
It's not likely to replace Franco Zeffirelli's adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet" as the definitive film version of the tale,. Nor is it likely to supplant the musical, "West Side Story."
But you certainly could do worse than this very loose and limber action-thriller.
For one thing, it's better than the all-style, no substance "William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet." And it's a decided improvement upon "Lethal Weapon 4," which marked the major U.S. debut of Jet Li.
"Romeo Must Die" is a much better vehicle for the acrobatic Jet and one that could make him nearly as big a star here as his former Hong Kong competitor, Jackie Chan.
Jet stars as Han, the oldest son of Asian ganglord Ch'u Sing (Henry O), who is positioning himself as a power in Oakland, Calif.
Serving time in a Hong Kong prison for aiding his father's escape to America, Han now wants nothing to do with him at least until he discovers that dad's shady dealings may have led to the death of Han's brother.
What's worse, the only person he can turn to for help is Trish (singer Aaliyah), O'Day's beautiful daughter, who also wants nothing to do with the gang warfare.
The plot is a bit convoluted and confusing, but fortunately it plays second fiddle to the action and there is plenty of that, as Jet uses his feet and hands, firehoses and even his co-star as weapons.
And although first-time director Ardrzej Bartkowiak (a former cinematographer) lets the pacing drag, especially in the protracted first half, things definitely get more exciting in the seemingly too-brief second half.
Actingwise, Jet isn't the greatest performer, but his dialogue is kept to bare minimum, which wisely leaves the emoting to both Aaliyah, who's not bad, and the always reliable Lindo.
"Romeo Must Die" is rated R for violent martial-arts fighting and gunplay, profanity, racial epithets (heard in song lyrics), simulated drug use (marijuana), crude humor, brief gore and brief female nudity.
Comments
Cast: Jet Li, Aaliyah, Delroy Lindo, Isaiah Washington; in English and Cantonese, with English subtitles
Find a Movie Theater
- Holiday television program listings 1:02 a.m.
- Williams, Rose celebrate by playing 12:46 a.m.
- Utes to get tested by Illinois 12:40 a.m.
- Cougs to host Weber St. 12:39 a.m.
- Efforts to save a life praised 12:29 a.m.
- Settle fights, set tone of marriage 12:28 a.m.
- Clearfield balking at UTA plan 12:26 a.m.
- New administration bldg for Davis 12:26 a.m.
- Gallery: Thanksgiving in Utah 12:14 a.m.
- National news briefs 12:12 a.m.
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Rivalry has had some 'turkeys'
- Holiday television program listings
- Cave rescuers committed to free man
- Highland players make special friend
- Temple Square to use LEDs
- Matt Reynolds vs. Koa Misi
- Salt Lake City woman shot
- Missions teach players perseverance
- Provo star leads Bulldogs to win
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
262 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
210 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
139 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - BYU records with win
133 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
131 - Boys basketball rankings
117 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
112 - Hall, Johnson matchup key
102
God bless his family and poor wife and kids. What a tragic story. I can...
If you meant to say 'since when was killing fun?', it's been fun for...
The State has an obligation to insure that agencies it regulates meet and...
Everyone seems to forget that the defensive line also puts pressure on the...
To Stewardship and others: It's very likely that the decision to go LED is...
Seitz was way, way overrated. He was too slow. This was a smart play by RSL.
Even sloan uses 0 cliques at halftime interview, instead, putting his...
Won't they be dimmer? Won't you have to buy more for the same intensity of...
Todd, The players have obviously responded to our new and restructured front...
Korver you need to man up! There has been better players than you that have...




You can be the first to comment on this story.