Added to Prime Video on Wednesday, Mar 6, 2024 The movie, set in an Eastern European country, revolves around Jean-Claude Van Damme’s character, Cmdr. Sam Keenan, who is newly appointed as the U.S. Ambassador’s deputy at the American embassy. The political turmoil escalates when the president of this country seeks refuge within the U.S. embassy after a coup, leading to the embassy being besieged by armed insurgents. Keenan, with his military background, must utilize his skills to defend the embassy and protect the president from the attackers, ensuring their safety amidst the escalating violence and chaos.
Length: 1h 32m
Genre: Action, Thriller
This Title is: Intense, Action-Packed
Second in Command is New on Prime Video in Canada!
Trailer
Cast
- Jean-Claude Van Damme as Cmdr. Sam Keenan
- Julie Cox as Michelle Whitman
- Alan McKenna as Capt. John Baldwin
Parental Guidance
Maturity Rating: R for violence and some language
Features severe violence including a graphic depiction of a wound, intense battle scenes, and strong profanity including use of the F-word. There is one sex scene but no nudity is shown.
Trivia
- Direct to video release.
- Features Jean-Claude Van Damme in a leading role.
- Set in an unspecified Eastern European country.
Our Review
- Quality:
- Acting:
- Storyline:
- Visuals:
- Entertainment:
Second in Command, released in 2006, presents an engaging yet familiar narrative with Jean-Claude Van Damme leading the fray as Cmdr. Sam Keenan. The movie offers a decent mix of action and thrills that fans of the genre would appreciate, particularly those loyal to Van Damme’s filmography. The quality of production, including direction and cinematography, is competent, although it doesn’t break new ground in the action genre. Acting performances are solid, with Van Damme delivering the physicality and intensity expected of his roles. However, the storyline tends towards predictability, not offering much in terms of novelty or depth.
The visuals and special effects serve the action scenes well, providing the necessary impact, but might not stand out when compared to bigger-budget films. Entertainment-wise, Second in Command keeps the pace up, making it a relatively fast watch, though it might not linger in memory long after viewing. Critique of the movie points out its direct-to-video nature, which might influence perceptions of its quality and ambition. Nonetheless, it’s a serviceable entry into the action genre that satisfies the basic requisites of entertainment, even if it doesn’t aspire to or achieve greatness. Overall, Second in Command is a film that offers a straightforward action experience with competent execution.
Critic Scores
Second in Command has received a mixed positive review by the critics
