William Shakespeare's streak as the hottest storyteller in Hollywood continues with this modern-dress variation on Romeo and Juliet. In this loose adaptation, Hang Sing (
Jet Li) is a former police officer from Hong Kong who comes to the United States following the death of his brother, the leader of an Asian crime ring. Hang Sing discovers that his brother had become involved in a turf battle with an African-American gang, led by Isaak (
Delroy Lindo). But his blood lust begins to subside when he falls in love with Isaak's daughter Trish (
Aaliyah) and finds himself torn between his affection for her and his desire for justice against the men who killed his brother. Romeo Must Die was the directorial debut of noted cinematographer
Andrzej Bartkowiak; the supporting cast includes
Russell Wong and
Isaiah Washington. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide