Product Details

• Actors: Jet Li, Aaliyah, Isaiah Washington, Russell Wong, DMX
• Directors: Andrzej Bartkowiak
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: November 21, 2000
• Run Time: 115 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (234 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0790749998
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #31,024 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  Video > Action & Adventure > Action Stars > Jet Li

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Cinematographer Andrzej Bartkowiak, the cameraman behind Speed, Lethal Weapon 4, and The Devil's Advocate, makes his directorial debut with a lively but by-the-numbers film that mixes Hong Kong action pyrotechnics with gritty urban gang drama. Jet Li stars as a jailed cop named Han who hightails it to Oakland, California, to seek revenge for the gang-related murder of his brother. What he finds, though, is a fierce war between his father's syndicate and that of Isaak O'Day (Delroy Lindo) for control of the city's precious waterfront land, as both groups are trying to make a deal with a corrupt football-team owner to build a new stadium. The political shenanigans are basically just a backdrop for the kick-ass action, and to give Li a number of enemies to lock limbs with. It also provides him with a love interest, Trish (hip-hop star Aaliyah), who's O'Day's daughter and like Han, the only straight arrow in a family of crooked mobsters. Li and Aaliyah have a teasing, gentle chemistry, and when they're onscreen together, the movie lights up and glides along smoothly. Li even finds a way to work Aaliyah into one of his action set pieces, using her arms and legs to fight a female adversary because "I can't hit a girl!" However, when these two aren't onscreen (and that's a fair amount of the time) the movie plods along, despite a stately turn by Lindo and Isaiah Washington and Russell Wong as two family allies who may not be as loyal as they seem. Li's action, though, is still phenomenal as ever, from his prison breakout (as he takes out a platoon of guards--strung upside down by one leg) to a knockdown-dragout fight with the agile and dangerously sexy Wong. And despite the Romeo and Juliet overtones, this is one mighty chaste romance, albeit one with a happy ending for the star-crossed lovers. --Mark Englehart

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ROMEO MUST DIE DVD REVIEW: Very cool!, August 10, 2000

By	Dennis A. Amith (kndy) (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Romeo Must Die (DVD)

When I heard that Jet Li was going to be a lead in an action movie produced by Joel Silver, I was very excited. Before I give a review, I'm not biased to Jet Li because our crew interviewed him and promoted his movie online. I'm not biased to liking this movie because I have been a big fan of his work. I loved this movie because it features wonderful action scenes, an interesting focus on using the African Americans and Asians working together and it features a lot of cool people in the movie.

The storyline is pretty cool and purists of Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Chow Yun Fat are going to be angry at the US movies because such movies don't do justice to what talent they have demonstrated on the HK movies they have been in and I truly understand that.

Another thing is people might feel the MATRIX style fighting hurts this movie. I don't think so. Personally, some fight scenes are a exaggerated and I agree with that but a lot of the other fight scenes are very awesome such as the scenes in the stairs, the football scene, the fire hose scene...awesome!

Others maybe upset that the interracial relationship was not strong enough and were upset there was no kiss scene between Alliyah and Jet. We asked Jet about that and he said that in the end (without spoiling the movie for you), after a bad situation happens to a family member, should you be kissing a girl you just met. So, Jet had a good reason for that. [Note: You can our interview with Jet Li at AsianConnections.com]

So, however you felt about the movie, to each their own. I really enjoyed it! In fact, at the theater in San Jose/Santa Clara, it was packed and people gave it a standing ovation. I'm happy to see Jet's first debut in a lead role for an English movie.

What didn't I like about the film? I didn't dig the use of the X-RAY scenes in the violent parts. That was the major thing I didn't like but everything else, I enjoyed.

Now, the DVD. The colors were very beautiful for this movie. I don't recall any major artifacting. The audio for the film is very good as well but what makes this DVD shine is the special features. Not only do you get the regular trailer, the international trailer but you get two Alliyah music videos, the making of the music video "Try Again", you get many short documentaries, the HBO featurette and the behind-the-scenes vignette. The insights to how the film was filmed is so interesting, if you are a Jet Li or Alliyah fan, the extras are also a major reason to buy this DVD. Really interesting information from each actor and from those who worked behind-the-scenes. So, the DVD will definitely keep you busy for awhile.

So, you can't go wrong with this DVD. Very cool!!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romeo lives on..., July 20, 2000

By	"waddles_the_penguin" (Fountain Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews

"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.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the bomb!, April 11, 2000

By	Dave (Arizona) - See all my reviews

Great film! Jet Li & Russell Wong? How could you get better? Oh! By adding Aaliya, that's how! Fantastic action sequences and story line. A must see.