Jet Li stars in this very loose adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, involving the Chinese and African-American mobs in LA. Jet Li comes to American to avenge his slain brother, and teams with the daughter (Aaliyah) of his family’s rival to solve the murder. Russell Wong, Delroy Lindo and Isaiah Washington also star. Andrzej Bartkowiak directs.
Capsule Review: Don’t be misled by the title. This film has very little in common with Romeo and Juliet. In fact, the only similarity is the presence of two rival families. Despite a potential romantic set-up between Jet Li and Aaliyah, there is no romance in the movie…at all. There is some action, which starts out good, but ends up ridiculous. Jet Li provides some good moves, as usual, but the film is never worthy of them. Isaiah Washington and Delroy Lindo do give some good performances, almost making you believe they’re in a better movie than the reest of the cast.