Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (2002)

“Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever” contains massive explosions, each bigger than the last, and insane car crashes where the hero is thrown 50 feet across and is only bruised upon hitting pavement. It’s over-the-top to the point of hilarious irony. And, it’s all utterly boring and cheap looking, with an ugly script, too. The entire thing is an absolute misfire. Even the title isn’t even accurate. Yes, Ecks (a disillusioned FBI agent played by an equally sour Antonio Banderas) battles Sever (a super Chinese assassin played by Lucy Liu) for 20 minutes, but then they join forces against a rogue U.S. agent (Gregg Henry) who meets with his minions at deserted city parks at night. Not for sex, but to kill them. The setting is Vancouver, but American law enforcement endlessly run amok. Was Canada annexed? Liu – so wicked in “Kill Bill” - can’t carry her inept role, which inexplicably turns sympathetic after she kills 30-plus police men. The director’s is named “Kaos.” The movie is dull. D-