Romeo Must Die

2000 Action/Adventure

William Shakespeare's streak as the hottest storyteller in Hollywood continues with this modern-dress variation on +Romeo and Juliet. In this loose adaptation, Hang Sing (Jet Li) is a former police officer from Hong Kong who comes to the United States following the death of his brother, the leader of an Asian crime ring. Hang Sing discovers that his brother had become involved in a turf battle with an African-American gang, led by Isaak (Delroy Lindo). But his blood lust begins to subside when he falls in love with Isaak's daughter Trish (Aaliyah) and finds himself torn between his affection for her and his desire for justice against the men who killed his brother. Romeo Must Die was the directorial debut of noted cinematographer Andrzej Bartkowiak; the supporting cast includes Russell Wong and Isaiah Washington.

Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak

Starring: Jet Li, Aaliyah, Isaiah Washington, Russell Wong, Delroy Lindo

Reviews

  • Who needs iambic pentameter when you have Jet Li around?

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    27 April 2013

  • Doesn't take advantage of its own possibilities, either as a hard-boiled gangland battle or as a soft-boiled, interracial Shakespearean love story.

    Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly

    27 April 2013

  • A plodding, play-it-safe rendition of "The Family Feud."

    Susan Wloszczyna - USA Today

    27 April 2013

  • The reason to sit through its uninspired, formulaic moves, however, is its half-dozen spectacular fight sequences.

    Jay Carr - The Boston Globe

    27 April 2013

  • Li is a phenomenon.

    Bob Graham - The San Francisco Chronicle

    27 April 2013

Awards

  • Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures

    ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards (2001)

  • Best Actress

    BET Awards (2001)

     
  • Favorite Soundtrack (Internet Only)

    Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (2001)

     
  • Best Female Performance

    MTV Movie Awards (2001)

     
  • Film - Choice Drama

    Teen Choice Awards (2000)