Reviews by Ava Tanis

The 2nd

Coming at you with another movie review! This week’s movie of choice was The 2nd, an action/thriller that was released on Netflix just a few days ago in early December 2020. Its title references the second amendment of the U.S. Constitution, as it details the story of a secret agent and his son’s attempt to derail a terrorist plot attempting to use the daughter of a Supreme Court Justice to manipulate his ruling on a Second Amendment issue. This brand new movie is currently unrated; however, its sometimes graphic scenes and use of strong language do not lend it well to younger audiences. 

Overall, the plot is quite basic but it makes for a comfy action experience. It is only truly suspenseful a select few times throughout, although the climax toward the end of the movie will keep you on your toes. Other than getting a little mushy in the middle, the movie is not intensely emotional. Effects-wise, The 2nd is quite unrealistic, which, combined with the sometimes underwhelming acting, definitely takes away from the thrill of the action and makes the whole movie feel somewhat elementary. 

The 2nd features classic action movie cinematography and ends on a major cliffhanger with a lot of fragments of the plotline unresolved, so if you are not fond of movies that leave questions unanswered, it may not be for you. Depending on your sense of humor, it may offer some comedy alongside the action. “This is my weight room, b****,” said completely unironically, is a fan favorite of many corny lines that unintentionally add to the amusement of the movie. 

In general, The 2nd is a lighthearted action movie that is fun for a boring night, but it is not in any sense groundbreaking. If you are interested in exploring a brand new movie with less-known actors, this is the one for you.