RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
RT's Blu-ray HQ
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / The Second Chance
The Second Chance

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
Bookmark and Share

The Second Chance (2006)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
40 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:15

Fresh:6

Rotten:9

Average Rating:5/10

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 1 hr 53 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Feb 17, 2006 Limited

Box Office: $370,430

Synopsis: Acclaimed Christian rock singer Michael W. Smith stars in this uplifting drama about an idealistic associate minister named Ethan, who works at a well-to do Tennessee Ministry run by his father (J.... Acclaimed Christian rock singer Michael W. Smith stars in this uplifting drama about an idealistic associate minister named Ethan, who works at a well-to do Tennessee Ministry run by his father (J. Don Ferguson). The ministry seems to be more interested in opening up new churches in other countries than it is in taking care of its own African-American poor right there in Tennessee, much to the chagrin of Jake (Jeff Obafemi Carr) who runs the struggling inner-city ministry named the Second Chance. He's dealing with helping prostitutes, drug addicts and the homeless, and all the charity donations aren't enough; these people need emotional support to stand on their feet, not hand outs. When Ethan lets him tell off the congregation (on television, no less), the "Rock Star" minister is sent to work with Jake at the Second Chance. Of course the pair are bound to butt heads at first, but the deeply felt humanity they share is just as bound to manifest sooner or later. Director Steven Tyler mixes some good urban grit and hope into the formula and it's refreshing that no one character is free of flaws or all bad--everyone's got problems and the miracle comes from working together and forgiving rather than smiting the evildoers or passing judgement. This will be a must-see for Christian audiences, but anyone with a heart should be able to relate and glean a lot from its message of humility and brotherhood. Smith also did the score, and there are several of his songs featured. [More]

Starring: Michael W. Smith, J. Don Ferguson, Jeff Obafemi Carr, Jonathan Thomas

Starring: Michael W. Smith, J. Don Ferguson, Jeff Obafemi Carr, Jonathan Thomas

Director: Steve Taylor

Director: Steve Taylor
Screenwriter: Chip Arnold, Ben Pearson, Steve Taylor
Producer: Coke Sams, Steve Taylor, J. Clarke Gallivan
Composer: Michael W. Smith

[See More Credits]

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Jul 18, 2006

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for The Second Chance

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
1 - 15 (sorted by critic A-Z)
Text View
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

... a sincerely (if not exactly subtly) performed spiritual drama with a faith-based lesson in humility and the practical charity of offering a helping hand.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
02/16/06
Sean Axmaker
Sean Axmaker
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Sure, there are lots of positive messages about following your calling and seeing how others live, but that message would better resonate with the audience if the story wasn't so bland.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
02/16/06
Stephen Becker
Stephen Becker
Dallas Morning News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Startlingly direct, if unavoidably preachy, The Second Chance takes aim at Christianity's racial divide and the corporatization of faith.

comment Comment
02/16/06
Jeannette Catsoulis
Jeannette Catsoulis
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

As divided as the two very different churches at its center, The Second Chance reps an uneasy marriage of spiritual conviction and dramatic expedience.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
02/21/06
Justin Chang
Justin Chang
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This may be a church movie, but it's one of the better ones.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
10/11/06
Peter T. Chattaway
Peter T. Chattaway
Christianity Today

A movie-of-the-week treatment of race and class, the film credibly portrays the day-to-day workings of an urban ministry.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
02/17/06
Kevin Crust
Kevin Crust
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's not the message that bothered me but the obvious way in which it's delivered.

Full Review Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News | comment Comment
02/17/06
Robert Denerstein
Robert Denerstein
Denver Rocky Mountain News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Second Chance delivers its parable of spiritual growth with enough tender nuance that it doesn't merely preach to the choir.

Full Review Source: Denver Post | comment Comment
02/17/06
Lisa Kennedy
Lisa Kennedy
Denver Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

[The film is] sabotaged by hackneyed dialogue, sluggish pacing and a listless performance by Smith, who only springs to life when he's singing.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
02/17/06
Lou Lumenick
Lou Lumenick
New York Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It is earnest, cliched, often awkward and unlikely to inspire anyone who isn't already thoroughly sold on its message of salvation through community activism.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
02/17/06
Maitland McDonagh
Maitland McDonagh
TV Guide's Movie Guide

[The film is] designed to launch Christian pop singer Michael W. Smith as a movie brand name. It doesn't really succeed at that, but it does manage to send a positive message in a pretty polished movie, a message aimed at regular church-goers.

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
02/17/06
Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel

There are a lot of good messages in The Second Chance about how Christianity is a mix of love, both gentle and tough.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
02/17/06
Chris Thilk
Chris Thilk
Film Threat

A modern morality play whose positive messages are undercut by its pandering, paternalistic tone.

Full Review Source: Upstage Magazine | comment Comment
06/01/07
Kam Williams
Kam Williams
Upstage Magazine

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
05/12/06
Jim Lane
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
08/01/06
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com
 
 
1 - 15 (sorted by critic A-Z)
Text View
See All

More DVDs

Close
Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
66% 66% Public Enemies
83% 83% Harry Potter and the H…
44% 44% Night at the Museum: B…
75% 75% Julie & Julia
32% 32% Terminator Salvation

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
88% 88% Inglourious Basterds
78% 78% The Hangover
49% 49% Taking Woodstock
26% 26% The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
47% 47% The Girl From Monaco

More New Releases…

See All

RT On Current TV

The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

Learn how you can be part of the show

More...

What’s Hot On RT

James Cameron

James Cameron

We look at the Avatar director's career

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

Check out the brand new trailer now!

SAG Awards

SAG Awards

Find out who got nominated!

Nominee Gallery

Nominee Gallery

See who got nominated for Golden Globes!

Other News

Close
  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Bryan Singer Returning to X-Men for First Class Source: Superhero Hype
96
  • Mark Strong Talks Kick-Ass, John Carter, and Robin Hood Source: Collider.com
1
  • How Avatar Happened: The Path to Innovation Source: CinemaBlend.com
19
  • Rob Marshall Says Pirates 4 Is Still a Maybe Source: ComingSoon.net
30
  • ET Teases Iron Man 2 Teaser Source: Collider.com
28
  • Tobey Maguire Refutes Hobbit Rumors Source: Hollywood Reporter
9
  • Prince of Persia Featurette Posted Source: Yahoo! Movies
4
  • Trailer Bulletin: Robin Hood Source: ComingSoon.net
61
  • Mel Gibson Plans a Mexican Vacation Source: Variety
8
  • New Iron Man 2 Clue Posted Source: Screen Rant
26
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Awards Tour 2009: Golden Globe Noms Here!
144
  • Critics Consensus: Avatar Is Certified Fresh
96
  • Total Recall: James Cameron Movies
80
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Girlpower Rules Again with Princess at #1
70
  • Awards Tour 2009: Inglourious Basterds Lead Critics Choice Noms
44
  • Awards Tour 2009: Avatar Best Picture at NYFCO!
38
  • Awards Tour 2009: SAG Nominations Are In!
35
  • Weekly Ketchup: James Cameron Plans a Fantastic Voyage
34
  • Friday Harvest: Iron Man 2, Tron Legacy, and more!
20
  • Awards Tour 2009: The Hurt Locker Dominates Boston Society of Film Critics
18
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
21
  • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
2
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
17
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
12
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
23
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
8
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
24
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
9
  • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
28
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • The Second Chance at Rotten Tomatoes
  • The Second Chance at AskMen

Fresh Links

Featured
MSN's Year in Review
MSN's Year in Review External Link

Take a look at MSN's choices for the Top 10 films of 2009.

40 Best Films of the 2000s
40 Best Films of the 2000s External Link

Last week, Moviefone offered us their worst films of the 2000s. Now see their 40 best!

Tarantino's Characters
Tarantino's Characters External Link

Hollywood.com explores why QT's characters resonate so well with audiences.

Top 10 Movies of 2009
Top 10 Movies of 2009 External Link

TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

Top 20 of the Decade
Top 20 of the Decade External Link

Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!

Promos
Follow RT on Twitter
Follow RT on Twitter External Link

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.