'Nobody 2' Review: A Lean, Mean Blast
Bob Odenkirk is back with his unique brand of justice in ‘Nobody 2’, an action sequel that doubles down on what made the original such a refreshing entry into the action genre and delivers a follow-up that may just be even more enjoyable than its predecessor.
After the blood-soaked events of the first film, Nobody 2 picks up with Hutch (Bob Odenkirk) and his family who now knows who he really is for better and worse. Not only is he constantly working to pay off a debt he incurred by his previous actions, but he has become an absentee father as a result. To remedy the situation, he decides to take his family on vacation to a childhood getaway in order to spend some quality time with them, but instead he stumbles into a nefarious operation spearheaded by a malicious criminal named Lendina (Sharon Stone). Of course, Hutch can’t help but get involved and fails to keep his true self at bay.
The first Nobody film was certainly a lightning in a bottle situation, cementing Odenkirk as a shockingly believable action star that could easily headline a possible action franchise. Fortunately, this isn’t a case of diminishing returns. Once again, Odenkirk is delightful in the lead role, continuing to make Hutch a three-dimensional and likable character despite his ultra-violent and aggressive behavior. Hutch’s dry, sardonic sense of humor is still intact and is always magnetic to watch. Odenkirk clearly puts in a considerable amount of physical training into these films and it never goes unnoticed or heavily obscured. His hard work pays off, excelling in the action set pieces and making it look effortless. The supporting performances here are also terrific, Christopher Lloyd reprising his role from the first film and oozing his gruff, infectious charm yet again. Colin Hanks also effectively plays against type here as a crooked police officer hungry for power who serves as a foot soldier for Lendina. However, Stone nearly steals the movie with her scenery-chewing performance as the antagonist here. She is clearly relishing every sumptuous second of screen time and it’s simply hard to take your eyes off her when she’s on screen.
Behind the camera this time around is director Timo Tjahjanto, who previously helmed The Night Comes For Us. Fortunately, this change behind the scenes works in the sequel’s favor, the director crafting action sequences that not only live up to the standard set by the previous film, but even surpass them in many ways. Each action sequence not only feels kinetic, visceral, and wonderfully orchestrated, but each set piece is also incredibly fun, leaning into the zany, irreverent tone established in the first film. Fans of the original will not be let down in the slightest by the action in the film, not only getting more bang for their buck but higher quality thrills as well. The third act climactic action sequence set within the confines of this family resort is simply action movie bliss, dialing up the fun factor to eleven and bringing the goods in spades.
However, the most engaging part of this sequel is its exploration of Hutch as a character. In the first film, he’s a docile family man with palpable rage bubbling beneath the surface, essentially a powder keg that finally explodes. Now that the cat is out of the bag so to speak, Hutch feels as if he’s devolved as a man, losing more and more control of his darker side with each mission or sudden outburst of violence when provoked. He knows he needs to change and become a better man, but he knows that’s easier said than done, especially as his current predicament and mission is pushing him farther and farther away from his family, especially his wife who he loves deeply. Some of the film’s best scenes involve Hutch and his wife Becca (Connie Nielson) trying to keep their spark alive while navigating an increasingly precarious situation. Becca also becomes a far more compelling character here, fully embracing her better half’s flaws and violent past, trying to make their relationship work for the sake of their marriage and family as a whole. Nielson and Odenkirk bring out the best in one another, making their relationship feel much more lived-in and authentic.
Unfortunately, this sequel does suffer in the supporting characters department. While the film introduces some fascinating new characters like Stone and Hanks’ sinister villains or RZA’s Harry, a longtime friend from Hutch’s past, these characters never feel fully fleshed out. Stone is doing the serious heavy lifting, substantially elevating an underwritten role, but failing to make the character menacing or memorable in the end. The same can be said for Hanks and RZA, especially the latter who gets his fair share of crowd-pleasing moments to shine, but isn’t given much to do throughout. The film teases his history with Hutch, especially as kids growing up, but never capitalizes on that potential. A little more depth could’ve gone a long way here, but fortunately the entertainment value the film brings in its stead makes up for it.
Nobody 2 is the rare action sequel that delivers what fans of the original will be looking for while also adding some new flavors and ingredients into the pot that make it even tastier dish than its predecessor. Clocking in at only ninety minutes, this is a lean, mean blast that will have audiences cheering and wincing in equal measure, hungry for more of Hutch’s signature brand of justice and heroism.