Romeo Must Die

Two warring gang families (one African-American, the other Chinese) maneuver for bragging rights to the Oakland, California docks. Han Sing and Trish O'Day uncover a trail of deceit that leaves most of the warring factions dead... or worse!

Critics broadly agreed that Jet Li's physical performance and the film's action set pieces are impressive, but the story slows outside the fights and the heavy editing and digital effects weaken the choreography.

• Jet Li's martial arts stardom, Aaliyah's musical identity, and rival Chinese and American crime families shape the film's central presentation.
• Han Sing and Trish O'Day pursue a relationship while their families' criminal alliances reject their connection.
• Ex-cop Han Sing investigates his brother's murder and its ties to the Chinese mafia.
• The film layers computer-generated effects and aggressive editing over Jet Li's physical action sequences.

• The Matrixcross-cultural martial arts action, heightened digital effects, and urban crime plotting
• Kiss of the Dragonstylized Hong Kong-influenced action choreography with an East Asian lead in a Hollywood crime thriller
• West Side Storymodernized forbidden romance set against rival criminal factions and kinetic action
• Enter the Dragonmartial arts spectacle, revenge-driven investigation, and international crime underworld themes

Director

Andrzej Bartkowiak

Release Date

2000-03-22

Runtime

115 min

Rating

6.3 / 10 (1429)

What is Romeo Must Die about?

A grieving ex-cop and the daughter of an American crime boss fall for each other while uncovering murder amid rival mafias and spectacular kung fu.

What is Romeo Must Die like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Romeo Must Die as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Romeo Must Die violent?

Yes. Ember rates the violence in Romeo Must Die as brutal.

What did critics think of Romeo Must Die?

Critics broadly agreed that Jet Li's physical performance and the film's action set pieces are impressive, but the story slows outside the fights and the heavy editing and digital effects weaken the choreography.

Which films are like Romeo Must Die?

Films with a similar feel include The Matrix, Kiss of the Dragon, West Side Story, and Enter the Dragon.

How long is Romeo Must Die?

Romeo Must Die runs 115 minutes.

Where can I watch Romeo Must Die?

In United States, Romeo Must Die streams on Kanopy, Howdy Amazon Channel.