Romeo Must Die (2000)

ROMEO MUST DIE is a matinee-price must-see.  Overlong and over-
plotted, sure, but this loose, *loose* hip-hop kung-fu update
of Bill Shakespeare's romantic thriller has a couple kick-ass
action scenes, including Jet Li doing dental damage with a sev-
ered fire hose.  Whack!  Great outdoor stairwell scrapping, too!
The plot, about a mob war on the Oakland waterfront, is pretty
twisty without any real surprises.  Great comic relief, though,
and even a couple sweet self-referential touches.  Like the
girl's dad commenting on the hero's short stature.  Wanna make
you slap your momma!  With Aaliyah, Isaiah Washington, Russell
Wong, Delroy Lindo, Henry O, Edoardo Ballerini, D.B. Woodside,
and Anthony Anderson.  Veteran cinematographer Andrzej Bartkow-
iak directs for the first time and Joel Silver produces.  (Rat-
ed "R"/113 min.)

Grade: B-

Copyright 2000 Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros