Jet Li, however, is very humane and appealing, though his character is underwritten. Colin. Bone-crunching is far more effective; and, would someone please dispense with this "flying" nonsense? DB Woodside Colin O'Day . It was four years ago on August 25 that Aaliyah was tragically taken from us and the life of another great musical talent cut short. Mac, make sure we got round the clock security for my son and my daughter. Isaak O'Day Isaak After a chance encounter, Han befriends Trish by helping her ditch her assigned security, Maurice (Anthony Anderson) and Trish deduces that Po was actually calling her brother, Colin (DB Woodside). Despite Ch'u's assurances that their partnership remains intact, Isaak fears retribution following Po's death and has his chief lieutenant, Mac, place security details on his son Colin and his daughter Trish, the latter of whom refuses to be involved in her father's illegal enterprises. Even fake wars have casualties, Isaak. In North America, Romeo Must Die earned $18,014,503 (2,641 theaters, $6,821 per screen average) in its opening weekend. Though neat, the Xray effect detracted from the "realism," sort of like the old split screen and slo-mo effects of the 1960s films. R&B singer Aaliyah was cast, and sung the soundtrack's lead single "Try Again" which topped the US Billboard Hot 100. Trish never had a cause to hate or a reason to hurt, except during the last two days. What are the differences between the British BBFC 15 Version and the Uncut Version. In the ensuing shootout, Isaak is wounded while Roth escapes via helicopter, but Mac shoots Roth's briefcase out of his hand and the deeds scatter into the wind. For inspiration, he turned to Hong Kong action cinema, where Jet Li was an established movie star. Get your head out of your ass, Po. Russell Wong is a cool villain and comic relief Anthony Anderson is actually funny. E. Ruiz; F. Ferraro; J. Walker; J.E. Official Sites During the late 1990s, the producer Joel Silver became annoyed that he did not see anything fresh or original in American action films. [7] [8] Filming locations included Gastown, GrandviewWoodland, Vanier Park, Chinatown, Versatile Pacific Shipyards, and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. 'Skulls,' 'Fidelity' debut well. Our business venture will continue. Co-producer, Warren Carr. However what he finds is a supposed gang war between Chinese and Black businessmen looking to build a water front stadium. Romeo Must Die is a 2000 American martial arts action film directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak in his feature film directorial debut, and featuring fight choreography by Corey Yuen. It is considered Jet Li's breakout role in the English speaking . This would also be Aaliyah's only film released during her lifetime. Fans of martial arts will do well to wait for it to come out on video, so they can fast-forward through all the meaningless exposition and endless shots of people giving mean and meaningful looks at each other and get to the good stuff. Although this was her acting debut, I think Aaliyah brought the goods to the table. An avenging cop seeks out his brother's killer and falls for the daughter of a businessman who is involved in a money-deal with his father. Kai is the secondary antagonist in 2000 action-romance film Romeo Must Die. Available on. All Rights Reserved . Isaak ODay (Delroy Lindo), a Black real estate developer and gang leader, is engaged in a joint business venture with Po's father, Chu Sing (Henry O), a Chinese crime boss who heads a collective of Chinese crime lords. Damn, that some cold shit. Trish and Han visit the last holdout on Po's list: the nightclub where Po was last seen. I will admit that I have probably watched this at least 5 times. His father's right-hand man Kai (Russell Wong) and his henchmen pull Po out and, after a brief fight with the bouncers, are ejected by Silk (DMX), the club's owner, before the meeting can take place. Movie Analysis of Romeo Must Die. Recording sessions took time between May 1999 and January 2000. At the Sing compound, Kai and Han have an all-out fight. Look, if I wanted Eddie Murphy, I would have gone to the movies! This is a pretty intriguing and action-packed movie starring Jet Li in one of his first Hollywood appearances. A modern take on the classic "Romeo and Juliet" co-starring hip hop star Aaliyah Haughton (one of 1999 Teen People Magazine's "21 Hottest Stars Under 21"), Delroy Lindo ("Ransom", "The Cider House Rules"), Isaiah Washington ("Out of Sight") and rapper . A story about corruption and property deals, a story about fathers and their children, a tentative Romeo and Juliet romance and of course martial arts and guns. Romeo Must Die is a sloppy film that has poorly executed action scenes. Jet Li was okay, but I don't think he's a good actor although he 's a very prolific one starring in over 60 movies. Unfortunately, when he's not on screen, the movie slows to a crawl. And that's always been your problem, Mac. Vincent Roth Firstly, it REALLY exaggerates the whole Asian thing, making it seem like we Chinese all practice Kung Fu in our backyards while drinking Oolong tea every daywhich in fact, is NOT what Hong Kong people do (yes, I'm sorry if I'm shattering some dreams here - Hong Kong people do too watch television and shop and do things other than learn Kung Fu. The Chinese people in the film all have names like "Po" and "Han" and say things like "let's show them our true strength"I'm surprised they didn't put some phrases like "Let's summon our family's ancestral dragons" in. Ch'u Sing Isaak I'm a big boy now. I guess uh, old collard green couldn't fly, huh? You will forgive me if I'm not easily moved. Do you mind if I discuss these with my associates? I want you to know i'll be looking into this myself personally. He falls in love with a rival mobster's daughter as they . | While hunting down his brother's murderer, he falls in love with the daughter of a rival crime boss who is his prime suspect. At his brother's funeral, Han confronts his estranged father, blaming him for failing to protect Po after Han helped them both flee to America to escape Chinese authorities, which resulted in Han's imprisonment. It debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 selling 203,000 in its first week. However, I enjoyed the soundtrack more than the movie itself. The film was considered Li's American film breakthrough[4] and Aaliyah's acting breakthrough. Qmagazine included the soundtrack album in their list of the "5 Best Compilations of 2000".[24]. An enraged Mac threatens Isaak to take the deal, using Trish as a hostage. You think putting your kids through college is going to make all your crooked straight? Even fake wars have casualties, Isaak. When her brother is also killed it looks as if the two groups have started a war despite their shared business enterprise. [21], The film's soundtrack, Romeo Must Die: The Album, is a hip hop and R&B soundtrack released by Blackground Records and Virgin Records America in association with Warner Bros. Records (who helped co-financed the soundtrack) on March 28, 2000. Label: Virgin. : He travels to Oakland to investigate, where Ch'u is engaged in a joint business venture with Isaak O'Day, a black real estate developer and gang leader. [24], Produced by Aaliyah, Timbaland, Barry Hankerson, and Jomo Hankerson, it was recorded between May 1999 and January 2000. Romeo Must Die. Okay, interpretation is not the right word to use, but that is nevertheless what this movie at some point wants to be. Neither side approves of their romance. [trying to stay composed] Company Credits Isaak O'Day [receives a phone call and his face goes grave] The play between Trish and Han (Jet Li) as an accidental cab driver was priceless, and the way they contrasted each other on screen with younger Trish actually in somewhat of a protective role to Han really added interesting plot twist to the story. And one more thing, if your renting this to see DMX, don't, because you might be dissapointed for his only 2 scenes and little lines (might as well rent Belly). [Pointing the gun] The good of this movie was when Aaliyah was on the scene. [21], The film's soundtrack, Romeo Must Die: The Album, is a hip hop and R&B soundtrack released by Blackground Records and Virgin Records America in association with Warner Bros. Records (who helped co-financed the soundtrack) on March 28, 2000. Han finds Trish waiting for him outside and the two walk away from the house together as the police arrive. The UK version was cut by Warner Bros. to get a "15" rating. See production, box office & company info. : wgci past radio personalities; auto sear jig legal Prince Escalus has banned dueling on pain of death. Romeo Must Die is a 2000 American action film directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak in his feature film directorial debut, and featuring fight choreography by Corey Yuen.The film stars Jet Li and Aaliyah in her feature film debut which also marked the sole film released during her lifetime, before her tragic death one year later on August 25, 2001. Isaak He was killed off by Tybalt in a street brawl. HoloLens . Q magazine included the soundtrack album in their list of the "5 Best Compilations of 2000".[25]. Which I think is funny. ! An avenging cop seeks out his brother's killer and falls for the daughter of a businessman who is involved in a money-deal with his father. With Kai dead, there is no one to protect Ch'u from answering for his crimes to either the American authorities or the other crime families. And as impressive as the action sequences are, some critics feel they are over-edited. Most of the black characters, even the villians, are sympathetically portrayed, even though the hero is Asian. At first it looks as if he was killed as part of a rivalry between black and Chinese crime lords even though the heads of the two groups are working together in a major property deal. "Romeo Must Die" is definetely the most violent "interpretation" of Shakespeare I`ve ever seen. Also, I was still a teenager when this came out and this was the movie to watch at that time. Several, in fact. He cast established Hong Kong actor Jet Li following his role in Lethal Weapon 4. : The actors acquit themselves well. That night, Colin and his girlfriend are murdered by an unseen assailant. 2000 | Maturity Rating: R | 1h 54m | Action & Adventure. As Han comforts Trish, he learns that Po wanted to show Colin a list of businesses that were either destroyed or being threatened for failing to sell their properties. David Bryan I only decided to watch it because I love Jet Li. Running time: not on file. He was one half of a pair that was carrying a body in from the grounds. Romeo Must Die is a 2000 film about a gang war that breaks out between an African American gang and an Asian gang in Oakland, CA. Three singles & videos were released from the album: Aaliyah's number one pop hit "Try Again" (directed by Wayne Isham), Aaliyah and DMX duet "Come Back in One Piece" (directed by Little X), and Timbaland & Magoo's "We At It Again" (directed by Chris Robinson), which introduced Timbaland's younger brother, rapper Sebastian, to audiences. Tybalt is the older of the two young men; he is 17 to 18. Jet Li plays the only likable character in this Asians vs. The question of who killed Colin Winchester became part of Canberra's DNA, and even with the verdict, many people will still argue the toss for years to come. Three singles & videos were released from the album: Aaliyah's number one pop hit "Try Again" (directed by Wayne Isham), Aaliyah and DMX duet "Come Back in One Piece" (directed by Little X), and Timbaland & Magoo's "We At It Again" (directed by Chris Robinson), which introduced Timbaland's younger brother, rapper Sebastian, to audiences. Collins, G. Mosley; M. Barcliff; S. Garrett; Timothy Mosley, Timbaland & MagoofeaturingStatic Major& Sebastian. The film's setting is Oakland, California, but other than a few establishing shots, film production was entirely in Vancouver, British Columbia. Producer Joel Silver (Who also produced "The Matrix") describes the film as an "Urban rendition of Romeo and Juliet" and although this is a very simple way of looking at the film, it's not far off the mark. Roth flees to the rooftop and escapes via helicopter but Mac shoots Roth's briefcase out of his hand, sending the deeds flying to the winds. Despite Ch'u's assurances that their partnership remains intact, Isaak fears retribution following Po's death and has his chief lieutenant, Mac, place security details on his son Colin and his daughter Trish, the latter of whom refuses to be involved in her father's illegal enterprises. Jet Li didn't disappoint - not only was his fighting as 'wow' as ever (and I know, a lot of people think too much CGI was used, compromising his true abilities. 18/08/2021, by , in Uncategorized, 0 commentsUncategorized, 0 comments Retrospectively, the film has received attention for the pairing of an Asian-American and Black-American in the lead roles.[5]. Frustrated by the lack of originality in Hollywood action films, producer Joel Silver built the film around Hong Kong action films. Aaliyah is wholesomely sexy and quite beautiful. Because, without these deeds, you ain't got no what is that popular term, Dave? Who Killed Colin Roach? After Chu takes a multimillion-dollar payment and departs, Isaak refuses his payment, stating that his compensation will be in the form of an ownership share of the new franchise. Romeo: And we mean well in going to this mask; But 'its not wit to go. According to the documentaryThe Slanted Screen, Han and Trish were supposed to have a kissing scene, which explains the title of Romeo, but this did not test well with an urban audience. : Han gets close to Trisha as he investigates and ends up fighting her unwanted minders on several occasions; often with fairly amusing results. [Isaak produces some papers from his briefcase and pushes them towards Roth]. 5 1 vote. The two visit one of the remaining businesses on Po's list but the Chinese owner and his employees have been killed. Po Sing, the youngest son of Chinese Triad boss Ch'u Sing, is accosted by African-Americans in a nightclub in Oakland, California. [10], Romeo Must Die debuted at #2 at the U.S. box office behind Erin Brockovich, which had come out a week earlier. Isaak Mac Patricia O'Day, aged twenty one, was a part-time social worker and full time clothing store manager. Isaak There is a large number of actors, another actor that provides laughs are Maureen, who also appears in cradle 2 the grave. Like the great Shakespeare work, there are two opposing families in this film, each looking to make big commercial gains in the world of real estate development. For inspiration, he turned to Hong Kong action cinema, where Jet Li was an established movie star. Han engages Kai in a fist fight, and eventually kills him. 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