Plot: What’s it about?
I’ve been a fan of Bob Odenkirk for nearly two decades. I was a loyal viewer of Mr. Show (with Bob and Dave, the “Dave” being David Cross). If you’ve not seen that, watch it. It’s hilarious. Over the years, Odenkirk has made a name for himself on shows like Breaking Bad and stepped into the limelight with Better Call Saul. I’m most likely preaching to the choir, but again – either series is worth checking out, though for context start with Breaking Bad. With 2021’s Nobody, we met a middle-aged man who, for all intents and purposes, was normal but it turned out that he was an assassin. The sequel flips the script in which we meet/see an assassin who’s trying to be a normal middle-aged man. Which version did audiences gravitate towards?
Odenkirk returns to the titular role as Hutch Mansell. He’s been desperately trying to pay off a debt incurred as a result of the events of the first film. His wife, Becca (Connie Nielsen), however feels that he needs a break from his “missions” and convinces him to take part in a family vacation. The kids and his father, David (Christopher Lloyd) are in tow as well. He decides on Plummerville, a nice resort with an amusement park that he was taken as a child. But, as we all know, any possibility of a “relaxing” trip ends when Hutch meets the local sheriff (Colin Hanks), the owner of the resort (John Ortiz) and the kingpin, Lendina (Sharon Stone) whose business has been interfered with by Hutch. Can’t a guy relax with the family?
The same elements that made the first one fun to watch are all at play here as well. Odenkirk does a majority of his own stunts and it’s this disconnect between how the character looks and how he fights that makes these films so entertaining. I’d be remiss, terribly so actually, if I didn’t mention Sharon Stone. She’s amazing in her role and manages to steal most every scene she’s in. If you thought she was a tough-as-nails bitch in Basic Instinct, let me say that the past three decades have prepared her for her role here. Having said that, we know the “twist” right out of the gate. Granted, Odenkirk is a gifted performer and we know we’ll see more of the same here. That’s the purpose of a sequel. But hey, it’s fun. Anything with Christopher Lloyd is certainly worth 89 minutes of my time. And it’ll be worth yours as well.
Video: How’s it look?
Nobody 2 delivers the goods. But in other ways it doesn’t. But it’s intentional. Universal has shown us that their recent offerings look and sound good and even their catalog films have never looked better. What this film lacks is that “polish” that so many other movies offer. Again, it’s by design. So if you’re looking for a film that’s not afraid to show a bit of grain, but also sports a nice-looking 2.39:1 4K HEVC encode then look no further. Detail is amazing (can you actually count the number of whiskers on Odenkirk’s face?), contrast is strong and HDR does a nice job. It’s technically amazing, but not what you’d expect.
Audio: How’s it sound?
This sequel follows the same format as the original. And why not – if it ain’t broke… The included Dolby Atmos mix utilizes the best available sound that really makes the film pack a punch, pun fully intended. Odenkirk’s naturally raspy voice sounds like it’s in the next room. Surrounds are almost constantly churning away and the front stage is super active. Of course, as we might expect, the LFE aren’t lost. It’s an engaging and decidedly strong mix that’s sure to please.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Nobody 2: The Fight Continues – Cast and filmmakers reveal how the film ups the ante on action with new characters, more fighting, and spectacular style.
- Nobody Does Stunts Like Us – Bob Odenkirk and the stunt team break down the creative process of designing, rehearsing, and executing intense, imaginative fight sequences like only the Nobody films can deliver.
- Deleted Scenes – Given the film’s scant running time (89 minutes) it’s odd that at least a couple of these weren’t included. Nevertheless, they’re here for your viewing pleasure.
- Plummerville
- Strictly Family
- Kiss
- Time Machine
- Creamy Floater
- Prep Funhouse
- Need Another Vacation
- Returning Cast
The Bottom Line
Nobody 2 wasn’t quite as successful as its predecessor, but nonetheless entertaining. Maybe the allure of Bob Odenkirk as an action star has lost its luster? But for those of you who long for it, we’ve got two films that showcase his awesome might. Nobody 2 looks and sounds splendid, but the extras aren’t really up to snuff.
