IR Film Review: NOBODY 2 [Universal]
The angle of "Nobody" was the idea of a man brought back out of his shell while trying to be something that he is not. The first movie was a character fighting against himself. "Nobody 2" is about being alright with who you are. Bob Odenkirk gets this guy and realizes the whole point is to place him in different genres. The idea here is the family vacation. Hutch (Odenkirk) is always going to be who he is but it is about the balance. The first film was directed by Ilya Naishuller who did the fairly insane "Hardcore Henry." Because perhaps it was the introduction of the series, it carried a lot of weight but also established the basic tenets of who everyone was in the immediate family in a short hour and 29 minute run time.
Timo Tjahjanto directs the second film but it feels a bit more gimmicky than the first. That said it does expand while still keeping the same action though it feels less personal. It is this whole "Vacation" meets almost "Jackass" mentality with stakes. The set pieces in a midway park, an arcade and a tourist boat all optimize unusual fight choreography. The different here is adding some interesting characters to the mix. Colin Hanks as a sheriff with a definite dark streak as Abel is a nice change for him to chew some scenery versus some of his earlier roles; ("Fargo") excepted. Chris Lloyd and RZA (at a point) are undeniably suited and it feels like butter when they are on screen because it is like they and Odenkirk are extensions of each other. The aspects of a crime town in Plummerville is definitely a movie cliche in a way but it works here. The approach is not overstylized. It is fairly straightforward across the board.
Sharon Stone has fun as the big baddie Lendena and she chews up the screen in a good way but she knows that this is a romp and plays it accordingly (her dancing is hilarious and right on character). The best progression though is Connie Nielsen as Becca, Hutch's wife. There is so much not said about who she. Hutch is becoming more transparent. She must have found him and known who he is. But like Mr. and Mrs. Smith, best intentions don't always translate into a smooth domestic life. Hutch's actions in the first movie have left him in a lot of debt which the script glazes over but does point out. The structure is the same but the question (because it changes the formula a bit) is will it resound with audiences? It is a fun movie, popcorn at its core, adds a little bit in building the second and one can see how it can continues to play with the idea of what it is. This one definitely is Clark Griswold if he was less of an idiot and a cleaner. But like Clark, Hutch does want to be good to his family and protect them. The movie is bigger in some ways and not in others. The question, like Megan 2.0, is does it go enough in the right direction without losing the core of what it is. B+
By Tim Wassberg
