THE 2nd
US, 2020, 93 minutes, Colour.
Ryan Philippe, Caspar Van Dien, Jack Griffo, Lexi Simonsen, Richard Burgi, William Katt, Randy Charach.
Directed by Brian Skiba.
The 2nd was dismissed by action fans. However, had it been a vehicle for Jean- Claude van Damme, it might well have been praised. Perhaps the central difficulty is that Ryan Philippe looks rather ordinary in comparison with the muscles from Brussels which makes all his action sequences seem less impactful. However, Ryan Phillippe is the producer of this film and his given himself the central role, Victor Davis, a former Delta leader, Green Beret, present in most of the world’s hotspots over a period of 20 years, now returned as security guard for a Washington senator.
The basic plot is not unfamiliar – but seems more than little fetched, more than a little far-fetched. But, that is, of course, the point of this kind of action show.
We are shown a blustering senator (an almost unrecognisable William Katt) and an attack on his car, Victor Davis going into action, saving the Senate about losing his co-worker. That gives some background to what will be the action dynamic of the show.
It is an attempted kidnap, the daughter of a Supreme Court Judge, at her college (showing her fencing skills with another student, Sean Davis, (Joe Griffo). Sean has to stay behind to make sure that the college is empty at the start of the Christmas break. In the meantime, an extensive crack squad, led by Caspar van Dien, have arrived to abduct the girl to put pressure on a judgement opinion by her father, and coordinated, by of all people, the head of the CIA.
Davis is there, by accident, to pick up his son, senses that there is something amiss and goes into action. As mentioned, if this were a superstar action hero, it would all be credible and applauded. Davis uses his ingenuity and his skills. Sean and the girl also show some ingenuity. There is a wide range of villains to be dispatched – and, ultimately, a car chase through Los Angeles to the Port. In the meantime, the head of the CIA has threatened the judge.
As expected, there are more fights, explosions, an attempt to drown the young girl, a fencing fight, Sean having to cross the line to kill people to save the girl. Ironically, the chief villain actually survives to confront and kill the CIA head.
While the film ends happily, father gives his son good advice about saving lives being more important than killing, quoting President Clinton in this vein.
An action time passer.
