"Your most dangerous enemies are the friends you've double-crossed."

Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (2002): 7/10

Poster (c) Warner Bros. Pictures

Every once in a while, a movie gets bad reviews but is a guilty pleasure. And fewer than that, a movie that gets truly horrific reviews comes out. Most times people really hate them, present company included, but there's one time where I disagree with the critics, and that's with Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever. Althought the title may have turned some people off, it's really just a simple, fun action movie, nothing more, nothing less. Critics look too much into it, taking the fun away from this showy action piece.

The plot isn't important, all that you really need to know is that Agents Ecks (Antonio Banderas) and Sever (Lucy Liu) are sworn enemies. But when some kidnappings occur, the two realize that there's a greater enemy they must face.

If you see this movie for an intricate plot filled with necessary twists, great character development, and superb acting, then you'll hate it. If you see it to see things blow up, then you'll enjoy it. And believe me, things blow up. Most of the movie is just various things blowing up and making neat explosions, but although it seems most is devoid of purpose, it's entertaining, and isn't that what movies are made for? To entertain? Exactly, and that's what Ballistic does. No real plot, no real characters, just fun.

Thankfully, the necessary plot scenes weren't that long, and didn't really drag down the already short 90 minute runtime. I never thought I'd be saying this by a guy who goes by Kaos, but I thought it was directed well. It wasn't the MTV-style cuts every half-second, and he made the action scenes exciting, unlike other action movies, whose action scenes are just kind of...blah. Although, when your full name is Wych Kaosayananda, it's good to go by a pseudonym. I enjoyed Ballistic for what it was: mindless explosions and fun action scenes, nothing more.

Rated R for strong violence.

Review Date: February 11, 2004