| | | The word on the street is...
Features: DVD, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 2.35:1, Documentary, Commentary
They’ve got the weapons. They’ve got the posses. And they’ve got no chance against former Hong Kong cop Han Sing. Gravity-warping martial arts, cool visual effects and an all-star music track combine in this revved-up action movie from producer Joel Silver (The Matrix) and starring Jet Li (Lethal Weapon 4) in his first English-language lead role. Li plays rough-and-ready Han, who shares an attraction with Trish O’Day (screen-debuting songstress Aaliyah) even though their families are rivals in a fierce Oakland turf battle. The two also share plenty of danger as they try to find the real cause of the blood feud. No gun, no posse? No problem. With Jet Li going to war as only he can, Romeo Must Die is alive and kicking.
"The wildest action scenes since The Matrix." Bill Bregoli, Westwood One
"Jet Li is a one man Matrix." Newsweek
"Li is a phenomenon." Bob Graham, San Francisco Chronicle
Editor's Note
ROMEO MUST DIE is the story of fathers and sons, of the importance of blood, of star-crossed lovers willing to risk their lives for their love. Two warring families, one Chinese, one African American, are fighting for control of the Oakland waterfront. It's an eye for an eye as members of each gang keep turning up dead--including the son of Ch'u Sing, the Chinese gang leader, which escalates the war to epic proportions. Into this fray comes Han Sing (Jet Li), Ch'u's other son, a cop who has escaped from a Hong Kong prison where he was serving time for not arresting his father and brother. Han soon becomes a little too friendly with Trish O'Day (Aaliyah), the daughter of Isaak O'Day (Delroy Lindo), the leader of the African American gang. The growing romance between Han and Trish parallels the growing body count.ROMEO MUST DIE is a fast-paced, hip-hop retelling of the classic Shakespeare tale. A thumping soundtrack and wicked special effects--including martial arts battles in which the fighters virtually fly through the air--add to the excitement. Jet Li and Aaliyah turn in fine performances laced with just the right amount of comedy. Director Andrzej Bartkowiak has a keen visual sense--he previously served as cinematographer on such films as THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE, SPECIES, and SPEED--that pumps up such standard fare as car chases, prison breaks, and even a pickup football game. The film includes an awesome special effect that reveals a person's skeleton as he dies--it has to be seen to be believed.
| Features | DVD-ROM PC: Original Theatrical Web Site | | DVD-ROM PC: Sampler Trailers | | Languages & Subtitles: English & Francais | | DVD-ROM PC: Interactive A Martial Arts Experience Challenge | | DVD-ROM PC: Web Events and Chart Room Access | | Filmographies | | 2 Theatrical Trailers | | Scene Access | | 13 Behind-the-Scenes Documentaries | | 3 Music Videos | | Interactive Menus |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Warner |
| Release Date: 9/25/2007 |
| Running Time: 115 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 2000 | | Catalog ID: 18128 | | UPC: 00085391812821 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English | | Available Subtitles: English, French | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 2.35:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
MTV Movie Award (2001) | | | Aaliyah, Nominee, Best Female Performance | |
MTV Movie Award (2002) | | | Jet Li, Nominee, Best Fight |
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| | Professional Reviews | Variety
"...A style-drenched, kick-butt, music-fueled, Kung hop actioner that assiduously devotes itself to devising the most dazzling and inventive martial arts sequences..." 3/20-26/2000 p.25-33Sight and Sound
"...Russell Wong brings a malevolent energetic charm to gang member Kai, while Isaiah Washington exudes taut fury..." 11/01/2000 p.62 Los Angeles Times
"...ROMEO MUST DIE has a great look and an edgy feel....The film's kinetic energy is well-matched by Stanley Clarke and Timbaland's terrific score..." 03/22/2000 p.F5 Total Film
"...[With] loads of cool chop-socky action..." 11/01/2000 p.94 Salon.com 7 of 10
...it's a canny, ingeniously crafted guilty pleasure, signaling that not just a new star but a newly invigorated genre of action cinema has risen in Hollywood. - Andrew O'Hehir
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