Take 29: Nobody 2
The sequel to Nobody (2021) picks up shortly after the initial film leaves off. Bob Odenkirk is back as hardworking assassin Hutch Mansell as he tries to balance his day job and his duties as family man (and he STILL can’t seem to remember to put the garbage out the night before. ) This time around, his wife, Connie (played wonderfully by Becca Mansell who thankfully gets a lot more to dot his time) is in on his secret and as a result his occupation begins taking its toll. In an attempt to reconcile his other life with that of his role as father and husband, he proposes a family vacation to Plummerville, an amusement park from his childhood and the one place where he had happy memories. With Hutch’s equally hit-manny father David (Christopher Lloyd) in tow, the family sets out to “make memories.” So off course, it doesn’t take long for Hutch to ruffle the town’s police department’s feathers and to stumble upon a crime boss using the park as a cover for her nefarious ends. So much for a vacation…
Starting near the end and quickly getting us caught up on what transpired for Hutch to get there, not a single minute is wasted. The movie is a lean 89 minutes and makes excellent use of it all. We get the over-the top action and crazy fight choreography we got in the first movie. It’s brutal and fluid and boy, is it fun to watch. I swear, ever since Captain America: Winter Soldier, we don’t look at elevator scenes the same way. This one does not disappoint and there are plenty of fun additions that make it fresh.) Dude is a scrapper and will make use of ANYTHING nearby and takes some brutal shots, and that’s a large part of the thrill.
The importance of family is key in these movies. You buy Odenkirk as the Everyman who really does want to be a good father, but often puts his foot in his month despite his bet intention. In the first film, Connie is unaware of her husband’s double life but here, she knows and it adds a very nice layer to the dynamic. We are also reminded that their slightly nerdy sound Brady (Gage Monroe) might have more in common with his father than either want to admit, so watching them contend with continuing the cycle makes of good story. The family is definitely not just a plot device here and that’s very much appreciated.
I will admit, nothing about this movie is breakthrough, high art. This movie had some good-ol’ 80s action stuff in its DNA. Who doesn’t love a booby trapped amusement park? Female femme fatale henchpeople and a bad@ss psycho boss lady- check. A sword/katana fight? Yes please! Clear and present bullies who get their just desserts- here for it! And explosions, soooooo many explosions….Fun is the best way to describe this.
A week ago, I had never even heard of Nobody. It did drop in 2021 so my guess is, it might have been a casualty of The Pandemic? I dunno. Whatever the case, so glad I am now hip to it. I daresay it is already among my favorite franchises and I am definitely down for more shenanigans. Sure, there are something that are a little bit much, but that’s exactly what this movie strives to be and it definitely accomplishes it.
My score: 9.5
Now does ANYBODY else have something to say? Please do so in the comments. And until next time…
