A film filled with explosions doesn’t have to be a bomb, but that’s exactly what “BALLISTIC: ECKS VS. SEVER” is.  Antonio Banderas plays a former FBI agent, Jeremiah Ecks, whom has left the agency and taken up the bottle, after the car bomb death of his wife.  Years later, his former boss asks him to come back for a secret case, offering to provide him with proof his wife is still alive, in exchange for his service. 

Lucy Liu plays “Sever,” an agent who was raised to be an assassin after being taken from her original Chinese family, born into a world wherein girls aren’t valued as much as boys.  She has kidnapped her evil boss’s son, but he seems more concerned about carrying out a dastardly plan involving a microscopic weapon.   

If the plot description appears “comic-book”-like, it is!  There’s little dialogue, and what little there is, is bad.  “BALLISTIC: ECKS VS. SEVER” is one of those guilty pleasures, offering mind-numbing, visual effects and images that one can enjoy on a simplistic level, with about two hours to kill.  “Kill” is the operative word here, as there are virtually non-stop explosions and gunfights throughout the film. 

WARNER BROS. has offered the film with its proper 2.35:1 aspect ratio and 16:9 enhancement.  While the colors are typically solid, the design has a cold look to them, similar at times to “MINORITY REPORT,” with intentionally dulled colors.  However, there’s great definition in every scene. Contrast is excellent, offering deep blacks and grays. Fleshtones appear natural throughout. 

WARNER BROS. has provided a sensational, “DEMONSTRATION QUALITY” soundmix.  From beginning to end, there are non-stop directional effects.  This is really one of the most aggressive soundtracks we’ve heard all year.  For those wanting a lot of bass, here it is! 

WARNER BROS. has provided the standard filmographies for this release, as well as the theatrical trailer, a silly, simplistic video game, and a featurette, “THE MAKING OF BALLISTIC: ECKS VS. SEVER,” which offers a variety of behind-the-scenes tidbits.