Nobody 2
Review by Mark Woodring
No.
The “Nobody” and “John Wick” films are not the same.
Stop it.
**NOTE: You can read Mark’s review below, then listen as he and Ryan discuss the film further. Remember, though, you can listen to all our discussions of this and every other movie directly over on ACAST. Stay tuned.**
89 Minutes, Rated R
Written by Derek Kolstad, Aaron Rabin
Directed by Timo Tjahjanto
Synopsis:
Suburban dad Hutch Mansell, a former lethal assassin, is pulled back into his violent past after thwarting a home invasion, setting off a chain of events that unravels secrets about his wife Becca’s past and his own.
I didn’t recall having actually watched the original Nobody back in 2021. Back then, I’m sure I thought something along the lines of “that guy from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul?”, neither of which shows I actually watched, by the way.
I know… I know… they’re incredible.
Got it.
Anyway, I went ahead and watched Nobody on Sunday before screening the sequel last night.
It was a fun romp, taking full advantage of the “unexpected bad-ass” trope, with Odenkirk as Hutch Mansell, a put-upon ex-“auditor” trying to keep it together as he lives a “normal” life after retiring. I did love the explanation of the term “auditor” as “the last person you want showing up to your door,” lol.
Clever.
The action was good, with just the right amount of comedy to keep it from becoming too dour and serious.
The sequel picks up in the aftermath of the first, with Hutch and his family working through the revelation of Hutch’s past life. But now, Hutch is paying the debt accrued in the first film with the destruction of the Obshchak.
Having been bailed out by The Barber, Hutch is doing assignments to pay down the 30+ MILLION dollar tab The Barber picked up to keep Hutch alive. Some jobs are more involved than others, putting a strain on his relationship with his wife and kids through missed dinners and sporting events.
Desperate for a vacation, Hutch takes the family to the small town and amusement park where he had his happiest memories with his father. He promises Becca he isn’t working, but circumstances dictate otherwise, as small-town attitudes intersect with the Mansell family’s plans and drive Hutch to defend himself and his kids.
As Hutch asked when he faced the town boss early on, “what would you do?” A family man, the boss lets Hutch go. The town sheriff isn’t as forgiving, and sends some goons to “encourage” the Mansell’s to move on out.
It does not go well.
The story explodes into a larger narrative involving a psychotic crime boss who uses the town as a waystation for goods, extorting the town boss’ cooperation/assistance with the debt his father amassed prior to his death.
Continuing the first film’s commitment to action, the fight sequences in Nobody 2 are great. While the actual choreography of the fights in terms of what is used and how, I was especially enamored of the camera work in these scenes, as the flips, trips, and shakes absolutely augment the hand-to-hand action.
A more dedicated family story than the original, Nobody 2 is a welcome sequel in a genre where “more” often leads to “less.” Thankfully, this one works.
Is it possible that we may see a Nobody 3 (or Nobody Else in my head) in a couple years? Sure, if the box office on this one is good enough. It doesn’t have to do $500 Million; heck, the original only scored ~$60 Million, so it’s possible.
Nobody 2 is another fun romp through a not-quite-unwilling bad-ass’ life. Frankly, some of the situations here probably deserved what Hutch gives them, lol. That’s part of the appeal of the character, I suppose.
Nobody 2 explodes into theaters this Friday, August 15, and stars Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, Sharon Stone, Christopher Lloyd, Colin Hanks, Colin Salmon, and RZA.
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