The Matrix has opened the door for a new kind of action film. Romeo Must Die is the first film since, to incorporate the same types of effects.

The plot is quite simple. Romeo Must Die is your basic inner-city gang war picture. Oriental action star Jet Li plays a Hong Kong convict who escapes from prison when he learns his brother has been killed in the states. He journeys to America to avenge his brother and finds himself in the middle of a gang war.

Romeo Must Die fuses the Kung-Fu movie with the urban drama. As a drama, it can never be taken seriously, because it's just too goofy. The only actor that gives the film any resonance is Delroy Lindo. The Matrix worked, not only because of it's inventiveness and energy, but because it was fantasy.

Jet Li is a charismatic screen presence but he lacks the charm and spontaneous energy of Jackie Chan, as well as the human quality of Chow Yun Fat. In fact, he seemed to fare much better as the villain in Lethal Weapon 4. Female lead Aaliyah exhibits likable charm and DMX (in a thankless role) shows great potential, but it never adds up to anything.

Ultimately, Romeo Must Die lacks energy. Although the pace is brisk and there's plenty of fighting, the film doesn't seem to flow like an action picture of this type should. Bring on The Matrix sequel.