Rating: Summary: not what I expected Review: Actually, I did not have any high expectations when I decided to see "Ballistic," a "spy-vs-spy" flick starring Antonio Banderas and Lucy Lui. I sort of knew what I was in for: a movie that probably had an over-the-top storyline and was lacking in plot-development, but - I hoped - with cool Matrix-like fight sequences and some spy-intrigue. And for the first, ah, thirty minutes or so, "Ballistic" seemed promising. However, the unoriginal action sequences, cliqued dialogue, absurd plot and sophomoric acting began to take its toll. Even the movie's emphasis on the importance of family-togetherness seemed over-done. Lucy Lui and Antonio Banderas deserve better scripts than this poor effort, and their fans certainly deserve a better movie-going experience. As Ballastic came to its timely and jejune end, my companion commented on how short the movie was. Completely disappointed, I simply turned to her and said: "what, you want more?" I am sure there are much better movies currently in theatres to spend your hard-earn money on. Skip this one.
Rating: Summary: Definitely ballistic Review: Normally, I'm way ahead of the movie in predicting what's gonna happen when. There were a few surprises in "Ballistic", and there were some good lines. Mostly, it's a bunch of eye candy explosions and Lucy Liu kicking the men around....literally. There did seem to be some deluded morality to the storyline that occasionally appeared between the explosions. Sever seems to have a reason for doing what she's doing. They also kindof set up a sequel. The sum of my review - dollar movie, or rent it later. It's better than some of the movies right now, but it's still not worth full ticket price.
Rating: Summary: Awesome Martial Arts Action Review: This movie has it all to make it a classic among the best martial arts action films of all time. For those who whine about the plot, I guess they think Chuck Norris films are great dramas--- LMAO! Lucy Lui is impeccable in this film. The photography and action sequences are superb. The plot is okay, in my opinion. I've seen a lot of martial arts film from old to new, and none of them are plot greats. But that's the not point. Lucy is in top form in this movie and the brilliance of her abilities really shine forth. Many of the action scenes are surprising and don't turn out how you would expect. This movie has excitement, solid martial arts footage, suspense, drama, and gee... it even has a decent story. For those who whine about the plot, it really sounds like they don't appreciate a movie where the heroine is a competent female who outsmarts and outmanuvers the men. I chalk their opinions up to sour grapes and recommend this movie to anyone who wants to spend an hour and half being throughly entertained.
Rating: Summary: Forgettable Review: Some movies require detailed reviews, examining topics like direction, plot and characterization. This is not one of them. The purpose of this movie is to show things exploding; everything else is merely a justification to get from one explosion to another. On this level it succeeds, although it is not enough to sustain interest. It is like watching someone else play a video game; it may be worth watching briefly, but after a few moments, you want a little more involvement (this awkwardly-titled movie may very well be a extended video game commercial). At least the movie doesn't pretend to be anything more than it is, so it gets two stars, but it is not recommended watching.
Rating: Summary: Great Action, What Happened To The Story Review: Let me just start off by saying, This movie isn't awful. I have seen and met lots of people that hated it, but I thought it was an excellent attempt by Kaos to make a great American action movie. The reason this movie really suffers is its length, it is so short, they don't give you a lot of time to meet the characters or to unfold the story. The story of this movie is about a microassassin injected into the skin. This plot has a lot of loop holes, but with the right planning they could make them unnoticable they thought. I am a big fan of Lucy Liu and Antonio Banderas, and they are very good together in this movie. Antonio Banderas is great as the troubled CIA officer who was on the mission to find his wife. Lucy Liu plays a trained assassin out to avenge her family's death. Lucy Liu plays a lot tougher of a role than Banderas, with many more action scenes. Gant and his crew are acceptable as bad guys. The title of this movie is very misleading, though, which also made me unhappy with this. I expected this movie to be about Antonio Banderas squaring off against Lucy Liu. The title shouldn't really be Ecks Vs. Sever, it should be Ecks And Sever Vs. The Bad Guys, which I didn't find as entertaining. I truly believe, if they would have made this movie longer and put a little more thought into the story and action sequences, this could have been a winner. Unfortunately it became just another Hollywood action movie designed to show how much stuff they can blow up.
Rating: Summary: A barrel of laughs Review: This B-movie doesn't make a lick of sense of course, which was fine with me. They set the movie in Vancouver, BC without even bothering to pretend it's an American city, and then center the plot on two competing American agencies. So right away you see what caliber of writing we're dealing with.
There are a couple of good action scenes that are fun. Really, the only reason these kinds of pseudo-Hong Kong movies get made is to show off a director's technical expertise in filming overly stylized action sequences. The rest of the movie is then built around these three or four scenes.
But the director couldn't make Lucy Liu look like much of a martial artist. She comes across as so choreographed and physically incapable that it, was pricelss when Antonio Banderas delivered lines like -- "Obviously a professional, without emotion."
A fun way to kill time.
Rating: Summary: Bleah. Review: Luci Lue is beautiful, but not a great action flick star she barely spoke and her facial expression was froze. Constantly staring into the camera as if to ask, "Why am I starring in this flabby hunk of whale poopy?" She looks great in her outfit. That is the only plus.
Antonio Banderas looks like he crawled out of the sewer. I never really have cared for his movies, so maybe I'm a little biased. He was just taking up space in this movie.
The movie itself, the special effects were run of the mill. Nothing to extravigant, maybe a couple of cool stunts. The non-stop music was so annoying. Action sequences were blood-free for a rated R movie. No plot and no hope it hell. What a flop.
Rating: Summary: a very underrated gem!! Review: Some movies require detailed reviews, examining topics like direction, plot and characterization. This is not one of them. The purpose of this movie is to show things exploding; everything else is merely a justification to get from one explosion to another. On this level it succeeds, although it is not enough to sustain interest. It is like watching someone else play a video game; it may be worth watching briefly, but after a few moments, you want a little more involvement (this awkwardly-titled movie may very well be a extended video game commercial). At least the movie doesn't pretend to be anything more than it is, so it gets two stars, but it is not recommended watching.
Rating: Summary: Not the worst movie I've ever seen. Review: What a horrible movie. I don't even know how it made it to the big screen. The only reason I went to see it was because I am a huge fan of Lucy Lui. Unfortantely, even she couldn't give this flick any hope. Yes. It is non-stop action. But pointless. Don't waste your time or money.
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