Nobody 2 review

NOBODY 2: 

BOB ODENKIRK RETURNS IN OVER-THE-TOP FUN FOLLOW-UP! 

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: *** out of 4

UNIVERSAL PICTURES

Bob Odenkirk in Nobody 2

 

            Bob Odenkirk (Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, Nebraska, Better Call Saul) is back as former government assassin turned family man, Hutch Mansell in Nobody 2, the sequel to the 2021 action movie hit, Nobody. I really enjoyed the first Nobody though I don’t love it as much as say the John Wick movies or the recent Mission: Impossible films, but I found it to be a very entertaining and over-the-top action movie with adrenaline-pumping and well-edited action scenes, tongue in cheek humor, and an absolutely perfect performance from Odenkirk as a prominent action lead. 

            It was well-received critics and performed decently at the box-office (Though it was released after the COVID-19 pandemic) on top of the massive success of the John Wick films so, of course it was going to become a franchise. Sure, I was down to see more Bob Odenkirk unhinged craziness in an action movie setting and Nobody 2 delivers that in spades. 

            I don’t think the film itself is as strong as its predecessor, but in terms of just being a dumb, fun action movie,Nobody 2 was a very enjoyable sit for me. The best way I can describe this movie is imagine National Lampoon’s Vacation if Chevy Chase’s Clark Griswold went around killing and maiming corrupt police officers in the amusement park. 

            The film follows former assassin, Hutch Mansell (Odenkirk) taking his family on a vacation to a tourist town known as Plummerville. However, he is soon forced to return to his violent antics when he comes face-to-face with a corrupt theme park operator (John Ortiz-Ransom, Fast & Furious, American Fiction), a shady sheriff (Colin Hanks-Roswell, King Kong (2005), Jumanji 2 and 3), and a notorious crime boss (Sharon Stone-Total Recall, Basic Instinct 1 and 2, Casino). 

            The film also stars Connie Nielsen (One Hour Photo, DC Extended Universe, Gladiator II) reprising her role as Hutch’s wife Becca Mansell, RZA (The Man with the Iron Fists, The Dead Don’t Die, Problemista) reprising his role as Hutch’s adopted brother Harry Mansell, Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future trilogy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Addams Family 1 and 2) reprising his role as Hutch’s dad and retired FBI agent David Mansell, Colin Salmon (James Bond franchise, Resident Evil franchise, Arrow) reprising his role as The Barber, Gage Munroe (Stoked, Immortals, The Shack) reprising his role as Hutch’s son Brady Mansell, and Daniel Bernhardt (Bloodsport franchise, The Matrixfranchise, John Wick) as Kartoush. 

            Overall, Nobody 2 doesn’t really take the franchise to new heights like the John Wick sequels, but it’s a very enjoyable summer action movie that should provide a solid 90-something minutes of blood-drenched and explosive entertainment. I personally thought the first film had a stronger story and the novelty of seeing someone with a set of skills reign hell on criminals but lacked the grace and discipline of John Wick was fresher too whereas this one gave me exactly what I expected and didn’t try to go beyond that. 

            It’s a movie that focuses more on giving audiences a good time at the theater rather than a compelling narrative with twists and turns. In that regard, this movie is a lot of fun with constant action, silly dialogue, and even some moments of heart woven in. 

            Like its predecessor, the action scenes are over-the-top and shot and edited incredibly well with this no holds barred energy throughout. Basically that John Wick/Bullet Train-style of shooting and editing action with Bob Odenkirk laying waste to these criminals in creatively bloody ways. 

From Hutch slaughtering corrupt cops on a Ride the Ducks-style boat attraction to a glorious climactic showdown where he turns an amusement park into a giant death trap resulting in one of the best amusement park climaxes since the first Zombieland. Action seekers should be very satisfied with their viewing here, I certainly was. 

Bob Odenkirk once again is great as Hutch and is excellent when selling the heartfelt family man side as well as the unhinged, crazy killing machine we came to see. He’s about as opposite as you could get from Keanu Reeves’ John Wick as he does have a dangerous set of skills but also takes a lot of hits and is more abrasive and brute compared to John Wick; both make for great action leads though. 

Sharon Stone is fun as this scenery-chewing crime boss though she is extremely cartoonish here which will either be a plus or detriment to the film depending on what you’re looking for. I was laughing every time she was onscreen though hopefully intentionally this time unlike her Catwoman villain role. 

Christopher Lloyd delivers some laughs as Hutch’s dad and even actors like Colin Hanks, John Ortiz, and Gage Munroe I found myself getting invested in their characters and seeing them interact with Odenkirk. 

Nobody 2 isn’t an action movie game-changer, but those looking for a bloody good time at the movies shouldn’t be disappointed. If you’re in the mood for ridiculous, over-the-top popcorn entertainment then you should pay another visit to this “Nobody”, he’ll hook you up with the brutal goods.