He may play a nobody, but Bob Odenkirk has become quite the action star with these two flicks.
Odenkirk once again stars as Hutch, a normal guy who appears to be a simple suburban family man, but actually has a lengthy past as an elite government operative. He’s returned to that line of work after some time away, while still trying to keep up his family life in a good place.
Unfortunately, like in the first movie, Hutch has found himself to be in somewhat of a rut. Looking for a way to spend more time with his family and reconnect, he decides to take a vacation to a water park he went to in his youth. However, like usual, danger seems to follow him around.
Robert Cargill is a screenwriter and former film critic who was one of my inspirations when it comes to reviewing movies. In coverage of some flicks, Cargill would refer to them as “lightning in a bottle” scenarios where things come together the right way at the right time, making it hard to replicate.
That phrase sometimes comes to mind when I’m watching some movies, and that was the case while viewing “Nobody 2.” The first one, released in 2021, was a refreshing take on the action film concept. It had an enjoyable blend of action and comedy, with a good style and attitude, all while doing something different.
Its premise, though, makes it tough to replicate. “Nobody” had an element of surprise in its concept, with both the audience and characters learning that this mild-mannered man is actually a top tier operative. The film played into that surprise, and had a lot of fun with it. The problem with this sequel is it doesn’t have that element of surprise, at least for the viewer.
With that being the case, “Nobody 2” has to mainly stand on its own as an action comedy without the benefit of the whammies the first movie could throw at its audience. The picture suffers from this, as the viewer knows more of what they’re in for, and the experience feels recycled.
That doesn’t mean the experience is bad, mind you. The film may not have the pizzazz of it its predecessor, but it does once again deliver entertainment thanks both to its combat and humor. The action, like last time, feels fast, vicious and in your face.
Though the action doesn’t have as many creative sequences as the original, it still offers some good set pieces, including a great one on a tour boat. The way it gets to these moments is fine, too. It was a clever take on the “vacation goes wrong” idea, utilizing it in a fun way for action. It also shows again that Hutch, for all his deadly skills, is still trying to be the best dad and husband he can be.
In that sense, Odenkirk deserves credit. He’s not the prototypical action star but again works for what the role needs. Christopher Lloyd is good in his return with an expanded amount of screentime and Colin Hanks is solid as one of the antagonists. Despite a big effort on her part, though, Sharon Stone’s chief villain character Lendina is a letdown.
“Nobody 2” functions well enough as an action comedy. At 90 minutes, it’s a solid, breezy flick for a matinee. However, it does fall short in comparison to the first movie and lacks anything to make it fully stand out in the genre. 3.45 out of 5.
Matthew Liedke on Film 
One thought on “REVIEW: ‘Nobody 2’ entertains, but lacks spark of original”