Second in Command (2006)

39% of users liked it
(2,753 ratings)

A skilled official assigned the task of protecting the U.S. ambassador to an unstable Eastern European nation gets trapped in the middle of a deadly coup d'etat in an action-packed tale of political intrigue starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and directed by Simon Fellows. Sam Keenan (Van Damme)'s job… More A skilled official assigned the task of protecting the U.S. ambassador to an unstable Eastern European nation gets trapped in the middle of a deadly coup d'etat in an action-packed tale of political intrigue starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and directed by Simon Fellows. Sam Keenan (Van Damme)'s job is to protect the U.S. ambassador to a troubled Eastern European nation at all costs. When a collection of heavily armed local insurgents stages a violent revolt and the country's president seeks refuge in the very embassy building where Keenan and his charge are based, the devoted officer soon finds himself guarding two men against an army of angry killers. With the embassy overtaken by insurgents and nothing more than a small detachment of U.S. Marines to fend off the fire, Keenan is forced to work overtime just to keep his men breathing and overcome the merciless invading onslaught. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Simon Fellows
Genres: Action & Adventure

In Theaters: May 2, 2006 Wide
On DVD: May 2, 2006
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...admittedly, one can't help but admire the duel that ends with Van Damme gouging out his opponent's eyes.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
While there are still plenty of flaws, narrative thankfully drives this one, not kicks and punches.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

Good action!
Steven V

Second in Command is a modest action thriller joint that delivers the goods in a fast-paced and intense fashion, even though the whole one-idea set-up is familiarly derived. The premise starts off at a breakneck pace and then tightly builds up to its chaotic siege… More
Second in Command is a modest action thriller joint that delivers the goods in a fast-paced and intense fashion, even though the whole one-idea set-up is familiarly derived. The premise starts off at a breakneck pace and then tightly builds up to its chaotic siege situation with a exhilarating climax with some organic grit. Along the way it offers up a surprise or two and there's no real political interference in how they shape the story, despite the topic at hand and flawed nature. The basic script won't set the film alight, but never falls into any cheesy mumbling. The action scenes, which for this type of film is what we are actually hanging around for. Are handled with great vigour and the set-pieces can raise a sweat. Jean-Claude Van Damme is capably good and fit's the mould perfectly, with his downtrodden and workman like performance of a more beatable and humane character than anything overly heroic.