Stars:
Antonio Banderas, Lucy Liu, Gregg Henry, Ray Park, and Talisa Soto
Writer:
Alan McElroy
Director:
Kaos
Feature
length: 91 minutes
Extras:
Featurette, Interactive Challenge, Film Highlights, Trailer
Languages:
English and French Language Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Subtitles:
English Captions and Closed Captions and French and Spanish Language Subtitles
Packaging:
Snap Case
Chapter
Stops: 26
Sound:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 2002/DVD Release: 2002
Theatrical
Distributor: Warner Brothers and Franchise Pictures
Home
Video Distributor: Warner Home Video
MPAA
Rating: R
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
I
read the back of the box on Warner Home Video’s upcoming DVD release of
“Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever” and I thought it read “The ultimate in
irritation,” but it actually reads “The ultimate in infiltration.” However
odds are viewers expecting anything more than some mindless violence with a
forgettable storyline and dumb characters will likely feel irritated that this
stinker of an action picture has infiltrated their wallet. Antonio Banderas is
“Ecks,” whose mortal enemy Sever (Lucy Liu) has come out of the shadows to
kidnap a child and cause general havoc. Yet Sever’s intentions might actually
tie into Ecks’ agenda, which is to stop an untraceable microscopic
assassination device from getting into enemy hands. They just might be able to
work together if they don’t kill each other first.
One
of the main problems with this film is the title itself. Who the hell are
“Ecks” and “Sever” and why would we care to see these two operatives
clash? This is not an established franchise and all the squibs and pyrotechnic
action won’t hide this fact. I don’t mind Antonio Banderas if he is in
“Spy Kids” and Lucy Liu if she is one of “Charlie’s Angels,” but
together they just have no screen chemistry whatsoever and no tension seems
believable between them either. To put it bluntly, they look like they are just
going through the motions and while I can enjoy over-the-top antics in franchise
like “James Bond” or something that doesn’t take itself too seriously like
“Charlie’s Angels,” I just could not buy Lucy Liu as a skilled assassin.
She looks like if you smacked her she is more likely to shed a tear and a sword.
Ray Park delivers some great-choreographed martial arts fighting, but not even
“Darth Maul” could seduce viewers to the dark side and make them believe
this film is good.
Warner
Home Video’s DVD edition features a good anamorphic widescreen transfer with a
(2.35:1) aspect ratio. Colors are solid and though one can see a bit of grain in
this monotone colored film, it is hardly anything that should disrupt one’s
attention. The English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack is great with a
very aggressive feel and high volume. A French Language Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround Soundtrack and English Captions and Closed Captions for the hearing
impaired are encoded on to the DVD as well along with French and Spanish
Language Subtitles as options.
Extra
features include a 13-minute behind-the-scenes featurette, the theatrical
trailer (2:26) presented in a (2.35:1) aspect ratio with Dolby Pro Logic
Surround Sound, select cast and filmmaker highlights, and a very lame
interactive challenge regarding the film’s two lead characters.
The
menus are standard interactive still frames that are easy to navigate. I realize
that I have been harsh with my review of “Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever” and
acknowledge that for the target audience looking for fast martial arts, guns,
and explosive action this might hit the spot for a quick fix, but the film is
still simply ridiculous, tired, and clichéd. “Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever”
will debut on DVD from Warner Home Video on Tuesday, December 24, 2002.
©
Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.