Common Sense Media Review
By Li Lai
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Jet Li and Aaliyah star in martial arts gangster drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Romeo Must Die
What's the Story?
When Han (Jet Li) breaks out of a Hong Kong prison in ROMEO MUST DIE, his only goal is to find his remaining family: father Chu (Henry O) and brother Po (Jon Kit Lee). But when Po is mysteriously murdered, Han finds himself embroiled in gang politics. Chu plays a game of cat-and-mouse with Isaak O'Day's (Delroy Lindo) crew, and no one can be trusted -- except, perhaps, O'Day's daughter, Trish (Aaliyah). Can unlikely allies Han and Trish find peace among gang violence and the destruction left behind by greedy power players?
Is It Any Good?
A powerhouse cast and crew make this early-aughts martial arts movie into so much more than the sum of its parts. Romeo Must Die stars major talents like Jet Li, Aaliyah, Lindo, DMX, and Russell Wong as it blends two genres that you wouldn't normally find together: an American gangland drama and Hong Kong-style wirework and stunts. But accompanied by a smooth, Timbaland-produced hip-hop soundtrack and flipping, spinning, bone-crunching thrills by fight choreographer Corey Yuen (The Transporter, Lethal Weapon 4), these artists team up to create something magnetic, campy, and fun.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of gangster stories, including Romeo Must Die. What makes the topic relevant, whether it's Shakespearean times (as with Romeo and Juliet) or today? What are other movies about gangs you can think of, and how does Romeo Must Die compare?
How is the violence in this movie depicted? Is it graphic and realistic, or is it more stylized? How does this portrayal affect the intensity and impact of the violence?
What did you think of the relationship between Han and Trish? Was it romantic, or was it friendlier? Did you want it to veer stronger in either direction? Why, or why not?
The film's fight choreographer, Corey Yuen, went to the same Peking opera school as Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and other martial arts superstars. If you're familiar with these actors, how are their fighting styles similar or different? If you're unfamiliar, what types of action did you enjoy or dislike in Romeo Must Die?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 22, 2000
- On DVD or streaming : August 1, 2000
- Cast : Jet Li , Aaliyah , Delroy Lindo , DMX , Russell Wong
- Director : Andrzej Bartkowiak
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, some language and brief nudity
- Last updated : August 23, 2023
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