Romeo Must Die (2000) 2 stars out of 4. Starring Jet Li, Aaliyah and Delroy Lindo.
"Romeo Must Die" is definitely a guilty pleasure movie.
An action-packed, one-two punch of martial arts and hip-hop, the film marks the starring debut of Hong Kong action star Jet Li.
Li was the main action heavy in "Lethal Weapon IV" and walked away with the film without so much as a thank you to Mel Gibson and company.
Set mainly around the Oakland waterfront, "Romeo Must Die," as the title implies, involves two warring families, one black the other Chinese.
Li is Han, whose father is the head of the Chinese faction. His co-star, Aaliyah (Trish) is the daughter of the leader of the black faction.
Han and Trish unite to solve a series of murders, including those of both their brothers.
Of course the story is mere stuff and nonsense centered around acquiring waterfront property in hopes of luring an NFL team back to Oakland.
But you really don't give a hoot about the plot.
All you really want to see is Li kick butt, face, stomach, groin and other body parts. And he does plenty of that.
The problem with "Romeo Must Die" is a lack of action. There is too much dialogue and too little Li. Not that he is much of an actor. His feet and hands usually do the talking for him.
And some dialogue is needed for exposition, but you merely tolerate those scenes waiting for Li to again knock the heck out of some smirking wise guy who can't see beyond Li's calm facade.
He is a tiger. The fight sequences are a superb melding of choreography and editing. At times it looks as if Li is defying gravity.
"Romeo Must Die" is not a movie for serious filmgoers. But fans of this genre will have a field day.
With Chow Yun-Fat and Jackie Chan also making movies for American studios, some enterprising studio boss should try to develop a script utilizing the talents of all three.
Now that would be a cinematic battle royal.
Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, IN. He can be reached by e-mail at bloom@journal-courier.com or at bobbloom@iquest.net
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