Aaron Ploof
Who would have thought that Bob Odenkirk would be our next favorite bad-ass action hero? Well, after Nobody 2, he’s once again proved that he has the chops to carry such a film. While the stunts don’t quite match up to Keanu Reeves’ John Wick films, there’s still enough bite and comedy to the proceedings to heavily entertain. Nobody 2 improves upon the first installment by lightening its tone, upping the carnage, and telling a fun story. While it’s not going to win any awards for thematic depth, this is still a movie worth seeing for the action alone.
Nobody 2 begins much the same way as the original, with Hutch Mancell (Bob Odenkirk) in a bit of a rut. After burning the Russian’s obshchak, he’s working to repay his debt to The Barber (Colin Salmon). Hutch is working long days and nights. His constant time on the clock is costing valuable bonding time with his family.
As a result, he’s once again grown distant from his wife, Becca (Connie Nielsen). He’s also out of touch with his children’s lives. After prompting from Becca, Hutch takes a break from the grindstone and brings his family on vacation to the resort town of Plummerville. This spot holds special memories for Hutch. Though Hutch may want to take a breather from his violent career, The Barber warns him, “Wherever you go, there you are.” Soon enough, Hutch finds himself embroiled in a war with a local drug lord, fighting once again to keep his family alive.
Who is This Nobody?
Whereas the first Nobody was comedic at times, but mostly serious, Nobody 2 trades in the heavy drama for laughs. I’m not saying there aren’t stakes here, but they’re sprinkled with a little bit more light-heartedness and playful attitude that serves the film very well. This is done through writing as well as fight choreography and set design.
The film finds its comedic footing right from the outset. It sets its opening prologue in the exact same situation as its previous installment. Hutch stares ahead at his presumably unknown official captors, answering the question, “Who are you guys?” “We,” he says, “We’re nobody.” The implied “we” in this situation includes a curious wolf dog that is perched on the seat next to him.
Flashback, and the film employs the same weekday montage to portray the drudgery of Hutch’s non-stop work week. His kids, Brady (Gage Munroe) and Sammy (Paisley Cadorath), aren’t getting enough attention from their dad. Brady sports a shiner and is playing sports that Hutch is constantly missing. Sammy just wants quality time with her pa.
Munroe and Cadorath are both believable as Hutch’s children. Munroe has a specific scene where he defends Cadorath’s character from bullying, and he plays it tough. Enough to believe that he inherited his father’s penchant for anger and violence. Cadorath is just as sweet as sweet be, which is enough to make anyone want to defend her in the first place. This, funnily enough, is what sets off Hutch on his warpath, as he retaliates against an employee who backhands Sammy. This bloke works for the theme park operator Wyatt Martin (John Ortiz). He, in turn, operates under Lendina (Sharon Stone).
A Fairly Matched Villain
Lendina runs the whole of Plummerville, orchestrating all the drug deals that are transpiring in the background of the merry window dressing. After Hutch starts his war with her, it’s not long before he’s facing her goons.
As said before, the fight scenes in Nobody 2 employ both excellent set design and choreography. Two sets specifically stand out from the film. The first, which takes place on a literal “duck boat” (not the DUKW boats that Hutch assumes they are), is frantic, close-quartered combat that makes use of environmental objects to add to the comedy of the scene. At one point, an actual duck head is placed on one of the heads of the baddies, which makes for great laughter when Hutch pops him upside of it.
The other memorable sequence takes place in an amusement park. Much like the climax of the previous film, Hutch and company (including his father, played by Christopher Lloyd) boobytrap the locale. With trap triggers on a water slide, in the ball pit, and in a funhouse mirror room, the surroundings are used to full effect.
Be Better Than Me
Nobody 2 isn’t a movie you attend to analyze its themes, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any to be found. Hutch, once again, is attempting to keep his family together. That also means he wants to guide his children correctly, away from his own anger issues. His son is already picking up on his father’s behavior, developing anger issues and a need to hash out issues through violence. Hutch, for his part, wants to curtail his son’s actions and teach him to be a better man. David, Hutch’s father, similarly wished the same for Hutch and his adoptive brother, Harry (RZA), as they were growing up.
That’s about the extent to which there’s new thematic content in Nobody 2. If there is a weakness to the film, it’s to be found in the fact that it follows its predecessor’s formula beat for beat, maintaining a similar story arc. However, on the positive side, this film does find the comedy in its telling.
Sharon Stone needs to be mentioned for her eccentric take on the villainous Lendina. There’s not much to the character, but she imbues her with a physicality that is entrancing. I also can’t forego giving one last shout-out to Christopher Lloyd, who is hilarious as Hutch’s former FBI agent father.
Owned by a Nobody
Despite its similarities to the original Nobody, Nobody 2 still takes a different enough approach to slightly separate itself from its predecessor’s identity. The film’s less dark, more lighthearted action-romp approach will delight, even though it’s not one that will have you dwelling on a deeper meaning afterward.
