It is a short film that offers a perspective on life from a more ancient or classic approach, but it holds significance due to the reflective messages embedded in its story.
"The Second" fulfills its purpose by contributing its grain of sand both to the genre and to the careers of directors Taylor Ramos and Tony Zhou, who do a decent and commendable job. Offering an interesting story for fans of duels and parallels of contemporary life.
In its cinematographic aspects, we have good camera sequences with very striking and pleasant environments. Additionally, first-person perspectives that are the highlight of the entire short film. All that perspective of the father portrayed by Paul Sun-Hyung Lee is well executed. He manages to connect with the audience.
From the reflective approach, we have very interesting themes such as life, youth, decision-making, the father-son relationship, past traumas, family traditions, fury, fear, and emotional tensions in extreme situations. In addition to that, the entire atmosphere regarding our protagonists, both in the past and the future, where a father does not want them to go through the actions and/or decisions he made in his youth.
The argument of how Philip sees his son in his stages of childhood, adolescence, and adulthood refers to the feelings and love towards him. How, despite the passage of time, he remains that beloved son with all his facets. Also affirming that all people go through those stages, while our parents watch us as the years go by.
On the negative side, I think more context could have been provided for those viewers who are mostly unfamiliar with the plot, in addition to having better editing between the transitions of some scenes. We have some actors who don't fully connect with their characters, which might diminish the experience. And well, the ending, the ending could have been better, more iconic, more moving. It feels a bit rushed or perhaps forced.
Even so, "The Second" is entertaining as long as you click with the story.
5.5/10.
