NOBODY 2

US, 2025, 90 minutes, Colour.

Bob Odenkirk, Connie Neilson, Christopher Lloyd, John Ortiz, RZA, Sharon Stone, Colin Hanks, Gage Munroe, Paisley Cadorath, Colin Salmon.

Directed by Timo Tjahjanto.

Bob Odenkirk was in the public eye with the very popular series, Better Call Saul. He moved into movies with the blend of violence and comedy, Nobody. So, for those of us who might have been wondering what happened to his character, Hutch, in the years after Nobody, here is an answer. And one of the parts of the answer is, much as he was doing before!

For those coming to Nobody 2 without preparation, there is an enjoyable, if very improbable, recap of Hutch’s career as a killer. He is financially indebted to a boss, The Barber (British Colin is one) and so goes out on mission, the filmmakers offering slam bang confrontations with several groups of thugs, Hutch, despite advancing age, demonstrating multi martial arts tactics and style, very much tongue-in-cheek, expecting the audiences to put their tongues in their cheeks as well for what will follow.

Hutch wants a rest. His children, from the previous film, same cast, would like a bit of attention from him. And, his wife, Connie Neilson from the first film also, is getting more exasperated with his erratic comings and goings. So, what better that that go to a resort that he enjoyed when he was young, a centre with an extraordinarily lively funfair. And, his dad from the previous film, veteran Christopher Lloyd, bringing his kind of wry humour to all the and tumble.

It all should have gone very smoothly but a local boy confronts his children, Hutch being absolutely touchy, weighing in violently – and off the plot goes. The aggressive boy is the son of the local boss of the resort, played by John Ortiz. And his firm has become involved in drug running – especially from the local master drug Lord, or rather Lady, played with enthusiastic venom by Sharon Stone. The other villain in the piece is the local sheriff played by an absolutely smug Colin Hanks.

It’s not a particularly sophisticated plot! Rather, if we have identified with Hutch, off we go, fights galore, traps, the grandfather in on the action, wife getting her violent moment, supported by the kids, making allies with the local boss rebelling against the villain, using to advantage the entertainments at the funfair, bringing plenty of adrenaline rushes even as, as mentioned, our tongues are in our cheeks.

Nobody 2 does not take itself very seriously at all, just there for some comedy and some violence, relishing going over the top, entertaining the audience and particularly staying in the memory except that it was an enjoyable action show.

1. The popularity of the original film? The popularity of Bob Odenkirk? And the entertainment blend of family life and issues as well as of hired killers and international crime?
2. The regrouping of the original cast? And adding Sharon Stone as the main villain? And Colin Hanks as the lesser villain? And the plot is a variation on the first film?
3. Audience response to the character of Hutch? His background as a killer, violent? Yet the marriage, bond with his wife, with the children, and with his father? The background of the burning of the money, The Barber and his hold over Hutch to repay the debt with various jobs?
4. The framework of the film, the police interrogation of Hutch? The story as a flashback an explanation? With The Barber, the financial situation, the job, to collect the key, the visualising of the mission, in the elevator, the mayhem, then the succession of other groups attacking Hutch, the brutality of the fights, and his emerging victorious?
5. The family tensions, his wife and her being at home, the kids growing up and being out, her exasperation, her job and estate agent? The children, teenagers and their attitudes? Their absent father? And the role of the grandfather and his character? (In the flashbacks during the film of Hutch and Harry and their father’s behaviour and attitude?
6. The decision to go on a holiday, the promise, the return to the resort of his childhood, for happy memories? At the resort, the rooms, the grandfather and his cabin? Everything set for an enjoyable week? The nature of the resort, food, carnival atmosphere and highlights?
7. The situation, the sheriff, lording it over people, the encounter with Wyatt Martin, memories father, building up the town? The revelation of his being indebted to Landina? The factory, the cash, drugs and gold?
8. The situation, the challenge to Brady and the taunts, touching Samantha’s head? Tearing up her toy? Hutch and his reactions, the mayhem?
9. The sheriff, the interrogation, threats? Hutch putting the family on the Duck boat? The deputy sheriff and the toughs, the fights?
10. Landina, her empire, her personal manner, the poodle, ruthless in destroying people? Her hold over Wyatt? The highly exaggerated manner, and Sharon Stone in the role?
11. Hutch, going to the factory, the confrontation, the abduction of Wyatt’s son? The sheriff, the henchmen? The all-out fight, the ballistics, the money in flames, the range of explosions? The rescue of the boy? Taking him to his father’s? On the phone call to Harry, memories of the past, Harry arriving?
12. The buildup to the siege, grandfather with the kids, Hutch’s wife to getting the rifle and going into action, the reconciliation between the two boys, Wyatt and the collaboration with Hutch, the elaborate reading of the funfair? Expectations?