NOBODY 2
**
Directed by Timo Tjahjanto.
Starring Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd, Sharon Stone.
Action, US, 89 Minutes, Certificate 15.
Released in cinemas in the UK on 15th August by Universal Pictures International
One of the main pleasures of NOBODY was the gradual reveal and transformation of Bob Odenkirk’s put upon suburban family man, Hutch Mansell, revealing himself as a lethal force to be reckoned with. Odenkirk, best known then for his turn as heel lawyer Saul Goodman from BREAKING BAD and its equally great spin-off BETTER CALL SAUL, was also seen as a cult-comedy legend in America for his work on MR. SHOW and guest spots on the likes of TIM AND ERIC AWESOME SHOW, GREAT JOB! Seeing this physically unassuming, middle-aged man gleefully annihilate a Russian mob was yet another energising role for an actor really hitting his stride this late in his career.
After its box-office success during the tail end of the COVID pandemic, the news of a sequel was more than welcome, especially when it was revealed that Timo Tjahjanto would be taking over the directing reins for this next instalment. Fans of the director's previous blood-drenched and bone-snapping classics, such as THE NIGHT COMES FOR US, have been eagerly waiting to see where he would take Hutch Mansell, and his surprisingly dangerous set of skills in this second entry.
With his teenage son and young daughter now fully aware of their fathers history of violence, Hutch has jumped back into the life he had previously given up, taking out targets and stealing information from organised crime gangs for the shadowy agency who have taken on the massive debt Hutch acquired when he faced off against the Russian mob. Sensing his wife, Becca’s displeasure, Hutch suggests a family vacation to Plummerville, a source of fond childhood memories with its water slides and fairground attractions. After a run-in with an over zealous member of staff results in a callous slap to the back of his daughters head, Hutch’s violent nature rises once more, grabbing the attention of a corrupt sheriff, played by Colin Hanks, and his bloodthirsty boss Lendina, played by an enthusiastic yet miscast Sharon Stone.
While the surprise of seeing Odenkirk kicking ass is expected this time, there is still a pleasure to be had in watching him do so, especially in Tjahjanto’s expertly choreographed action. Gone though is that sadistic over the top quality which makes his other works so distinctive. The plot here is more basic, especially when compared to the gradual reveals and surprises that the previous director Ilya Naishuller and screenwriter Derek Kolstad dealt out in the first film. Kolstad returns as screenwriter here, along with Aaron Rabin, but despite an intriguing development with Hutch’s son displaying a familial propensity for violence, their script fails to address it in any satisfying fashion, focusing instead on getting to the next action sequence as quickly as possible. With a clutch of forgettable villains who barely make an impression, the film feels sorely underdeveloped. Even Sharon Stone, who made her name playing ruthless characters, does little more here than shout and swear in an unconvincing and embarrassing fashion.
While occasionally pleasing and easy to watch, this follow-up feels like a missed opportunity, especially considering the talent involved. While not all action films have to be deep and thoughtful treatises on the nature of violence, this offers nothing more than familiar characters going through the same thing again, including Christopher Lloyd and RZA who had far more to do in the previous entry, even with their limited screen time. Sadly, this much anticipated sequel fails to take the audience anywhere really fresh despite the copious amount of action set-pieces packed into its eighty-nine minute running time, making it just another ‘middle aged man with a gun’ movie, something its predecessor most definitely was not.
Iain MacLeod