Second Nature

A most intriguing action/thriller. The movie is extremely watchable - partly thanks to it's made for TV rating and gearing is about perfect. Not an overly complicated film. Alec Baldwin is cast ala "Teacher" in George Dawes Green's The Juror. He's a nebulous assassin type, keeps you guessing, but you know he has skill and know how. The refreshing part is you aren't sure what motivates him or where he got his training or why. Baldwin is king of this style casting. If you like action where get spoon feed and learn as the movie goes, you'll like this. I don't see anyone really guessing where this is headed while you view the movie. Too unique. Throws a high punch and while you see that coming, catches you in the stomach with a quick jab. I've always been a fan of programs like Magnum PI and Simon and Simon, and this movie caters to speed and plot like these shows did so well. As good as any other "7" action flick for my rental dollar.

Don't expect any great acting performances, from any of the actors or actresses, in `Second Nature'; because there aren't any. Alec Baldwin, who has the starring role, usually gives a far better performance that he offers in this movie. Therefore, one might assume the script itself is simply not a good performance vehicle. Powers Boothe's lackluster performance might also be explained by this.

However, the movie is worth watching for one reason; the plot. For the first half of the movie, one might think the plot is simply full of holes that never get filled. But, this is not the case. As the movie progresses, you might find yourself saying ` oh ya, I should have seen that coming'. So, don't give up on this film in the first half. Just keep watching; you'll see what I mean.

I thought this movie had an above average plot, and actually looked like it would be better than the Borne Identity at first. However, shoddy acting and an anticlimatic finish to the movie really don't help it any.

If you're looking for an action movie, don't rent this as it has very little. If you're looking for a psychological thriller, don't rent this as the plot twists become contrived at the end to help along the plot. As a matter of fact, I simply can't think of anyone who would feel compelled to see this. Just an average movie that would be worth watching if you catch it on TV and don't have anything else to do.

Don't let your expectations get too high early, however.

Short summary - no spoilers.

Baldwin plays an assassin who recover from a plane crash where all his family dies. But he can't kill on his first assignment after the recovery and find out something is not what is seems to be.

I find this movie at the local video rental store under the name "Manden uden navn" which in English would be "The man without a name".

Baldwin does not have one of his best performances in this TV movie but it is okay as a time killer for a week night.

I gave it 5 IMDB stars.

As happens more often than expected, I was tricked again by an opening scene. Crappy flashback shots, a guy in a hospital bed and uninspired opening credits. Oh-oh...

Fortunately, the movie is not as lousy as the first scene. Helped by the 'stay cool' performance of Baldwin and Lombard, it is a fair watch. The plot is interesting, and it's good that they don't spoil the surprise quickly. The thing that ruins it a bit though is that the 'brainwash' method is portrayed very clumsily. Instead of showing a guy with electrodes on his head while watching pre-acted memories, why not simply a brain implant? Now, it really looks like a bad science fiction fantasy, which invades the further part of the story.