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Action film

General Commander (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot

General Commander (2019) movie poster

General Commander is a 2019 action film directed by Philippe Martinez and Ross W. Clarkson, starring Steven Seagal as Jake Alexander, Sonia Couling and Byron Gibson. It runs 1 hour 21 minutes. IMDb users rate it 3.1/10.

IMDb rating
3.1/10
Echo Score
18
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General Commander (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 21m (81 min)
Genre
Action
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is General Commander About?

The premise of General Commander without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A seasoned CIA operative embarks on a dangerous quest for vengeance after a trusted ally is brutally murdered by a notorious mob boss. He relentlessly pursues justice, navigating a treacherous criminal underworld. His actions threaten to escalate the conflict into a full-blown war, with devastating consequences for everyone involved.

General Commander Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • team
  • illegal organ trade
  • phnom penh cambodia
  • cia agent
  • arms dealer
  • drugged
  • failed mission
  • knife thrown in throat
  • shot to death
  • sting operation
  • exploding car
  • interrogation
+38 more
  • valletta malta
  • mafia boss
  • killing a witness
  • mob boss
  • bangkok thailand
  • murder of a colleague
  • death of colleague
  • flashback
  • hong kong
  • throat slit
  • government assassin
  • assassination attempt
  • shot in the head
  • camorra
  • italian mafia
  • manila philippines
  • organ harvesting
  • firefight
  • jumping out of a moving car
  • jumping from a moving vehicle
  • rocket launcher
  • helicopter gunship
  • knife fight
  • stabbed to death
  • missile strike
  • neck snap
  • government agent
  • female agent
  • secret agent
  • assassin
  • mafia
  • female assassin
  • action hero
  • tough guy
  • warrior
  • action heroine
  • tough girl
  • female warrior
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Cast & crew

General Commander Cast & Characters

Steven Seagal leads the cast as Jake Alexander, with Sonia Couling as Sonia Dekker and Byron Gibson as Tom Benton. Directed by Philippe Martinez and Ross W. Clarkson; 15 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

General Commander Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate General Commander 3.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 18/100, strongest in art & craft (30) and weakest in story & flow (10).

18 /100

General Commander Echo Score Breakdown

General Commander is overwhelmingly criticized for its lack of narrative cohesion and subpar performances. Reviewers note that the premise of organ-trafficking held potential but collapses into fragmented scenes and uneven pacing. The central performance is described as lethargic, and supporting actors fail to imbue their roles with depth or credibility. Despite occasional commendation of aerial city shots, the film’s technical merits rarely compensate for its storytelling and character weaknesses. In net terms, it leaves a predominantly negative impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 30

    In terms of visual craft, the film’s imagery is inconsistent. A handful of drone sequences capture striking urban vistas in Hong Kong and Manila, but most scenes suffer from uninspired framing and bland production design. Editing rhythms do little to heighten dramatic beats, leaving sequences feeling disjointed. Overall, the visual presentation fails to compensate for narrative shortcomings.

  • Character & Emotion 10

    Characterization and performances are widely derided. Steven Seagal’s delivery is described as unintelligible and lacking dynamism, while the supporting cast provides little depth or credibility. Attempts at portraying a formidable team are undermined by stilted line readings and flat emotional arcs. In sum, the acting offers minimal engagement or character resonance throughout the film.

  • Story & Flow 10

    When it comes to narrative flow, the plot lacks coherence and fails to maintain engagement. The central premise of an organ-trafficking scheme shows initial promise but collapses under uneven pacing and abrupt thematic shifts. Key storylines intersect without clear motivation, producing a disjointed structure that dilutes dramatic stakes. Ultimately, the storytelling offers little originality or sustained interest.

  • Sensory Experience 25

    In terms of auditory and visual cohesion, the film’s soundtrack choices often feel misaligned. A prolonged sorrowful score sequence is criticized for overstaying its welcome, while dialogue audio fluctuates between muffled and amplified. Visual style briefly impresses with scenic aerial shots, yet inconsistent color grading undermines overall impact. Consequently, the sensory experience does not achieve a harmonious tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 15

    The film offers minimal incentive for repeat viewings. Apart from a single comment praising time-pass value, most reception describes it as tedious or unwatchable on first viewing. Narrative and performance issues diminish any potential for rediscovery, and there are no memorable sequences inviting a second experience. Overall, the rewatch appeal remains virtually nonexistent.

Plot

General Commander Plot Summary

What happens in General Commander from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the wake of a catastrophic mission in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which saw a tragic loss of lives, CIA Global Response team leader Jake Alexander finds himself at a crossroads. His once formidable team, comprising of Sonia Dekker, Tom Benton, Maria Lopez, and Ben Harrison, faces disbandment at the hands of the CIA. Despite clear directives from Agent Jessica Thompson, they remain undeterred and decide to continue their quest to capture the infamous arms dealer Gino Orsetti, financed by the wealthy Hong Kong entrepreneur Katarina Sokolov.

Full summary

The whole story of General Commander, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

General Commander Trailers & Videos

The trailer of General Commander.

GENERAL COMMANDER - On DVD, Digital, and On Demand May 28!
Quiz

How Well Do You Know General Commander?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the leader of the CIA Global Response team in General Commander?

Cars

Cars in General Commander

44 cars on screen, including the 1991 Nissan Sentra and the 2007 Cadillac Escalade.

All 44 cars
  • 1991 Nissan Sentra in General Commander 1991 Nissan Sentra Important role
  • 2007 Cadillac Escalade in General Commander 2007 Cadillac Escalade Minor role
  • 2005 Chrysler 300 C in General Commander 2005 Chrysler 300 C Minor role
  • 1997 Ford Econoline in General Commander 1997 Ford Econoline Minor role

Seen General Commander?

FAQ

General Commander FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of General Commander, each answered in a sentence.

How long is General Commander?

General Commander runs 1 hour 21 minutes (81 minutes).

When was General Commander released?

General Commander was released on June 21, 2019.

Who directed General Commander?

General Commander was directed by Philippe Martinez and Ross W. Clarkson.

More films by Philippe Martinez

Who is in the cast of General Commander?

General Commander stars Steven Seagal as Jake Alexander, Sonia Couling as Sonia Dekker and Byron Gibson as Tom Benton, among 15 credited actors.

How is General Commander rated?

General Commander has 3.1/10 on IMDb, 41% on TMDB and 5.0/5 on Movie Insider.

Does General Commander have a post-credit scene?

No. General Commander has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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