A One Mann’s Movies review of “Nobody 2” (2025, 3.5*, 15).
“Nobody” was one of the surprise joys of 2021. The tale of a ‘nobody’ family man who is actually a former special agent with a seriously brutal set of skills, it was a violent and surprising blast of comedic fun from beginning to end. Now, the same team have come up with the sequel which – although lacking the joy of discovery of the original – is still a really fun watch.
One Mann’s Movies Rating:
Plot:
Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk) seems to be on the hook (why? unclear!) for the millions of dollars he torched in the last film and is paying the government back by performing a never ending series of ‘special tasks’ for them. But his lack of presence at home it having a damaging effect on his family life with wife Becca (Connie Nielsen), son Brady (Gage Munroe) and daughter Sammy (Paisley Cadorath). So Hutch plans a family vacation to a mid-west theme part that his Dad (Christopher Lloyd) once took him to as a child. But trouble seems to follow Hutch wherever he goes.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: R. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong violence, injury detail, language”.)
Talent:
Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd, Sharon Stone, Colin Hanks, John Ortiz, RZA, Colin Salmon, Gage Munroe, Paisley Cadorath.
Directed by: Timo Tjahjanto.
Written by: Derek Kolstad & Aaron Rabin. (Based on a story by Derek Kolstad.).
Running Time: 1h 29m.
Summary:
Positives:
- The action is wisely taken to a small town and theme park which gives scope for innovative action.
- All of the original cast are back from the first film and Connie Nielsen is given more to do.
- There are lots of laughs and ‘ugh’ moments that fans will expect.
Negatives:
- It very much feels like a ‘more of the same’ sequel.
- Some of the violence was too much for the Illustrious Mrs Movie Man.
Full Review of “Nobody 2”:
It’s more of the same… but on holiday.
This is very much ‘more of the same’ which for fans of the original (and I count myself as one) will be music to their ears. We get the same style of dry humour and ultra-violent encounters as for “Nobody“, so if you liked that film, you are probably going to enjoy this one too.
A common trait of sequels is to pack your familiar characters off to a foreign destination (so beloved of movie spin-offs of old British comedy shows of the 70’s and 80’s). This film is no exception, with “foreign” for these city dwellers being a rural backwater with a corrupt sheriff and mayor and something very shady going on in the background.
The theme park at the centre of the action is similar in many ways to Walley World in “National Lampoon’s Vacation” where Clark Griswold took his family to comic effect. (This analogy is not helped by the film using Lindsay Buckingham’s catchy track “Holiday Road” on the trailer.) The funfair and water park provides the perfect backdrop for the sort of “Home Alone” set-up of deadly traps for the bad guys in the film’s finale.
Familiar faces.
The film does well to assemble the same team of actors to reprise their roles, including Christopher Lloyd as Hutch’s Dad David. Bob Odenkirk again delivers a wonderfully dry performance in the lead and is perfect for the role. In fact, I struggle to think of anyone else who could deliver this so well. This time around, it’s good to see Connie Nielsen getting more screen time and she is very good in the role of the frustrated wife with a gutsy interior.
New to this episode is John Ortiz as the town’s ‘leader’ Wyatt Martin and Colin Hanks is particularly good as the dodgy Sheriff Abel. Also making an appearance as the very evil mastermind Lendina is Sharon Stone, who I must admit I didn’t recognise until the end titles came up.
Violence Aplenty.
If you remember the bus scene in “Nobody” then you will remember that these films don’t go half measures on the violence. In the most part, this is done as a cross between Jackie Chan movies and Tom & Jerry, with its tongue firmly in its cheek. A brutal fight on board a duck boat was particularly well done, with Hutch finding himself a tad lighter than before he set sale. (LOL with the fish!)
This film, on occasion though, strayed into the violence being a little more unpleasant than in the first film: a samurai sword fight involving brother Harry (RZA) being a case in point. This was all a bit much for the Illustrious Mrs Movie Man who spent a good proportion of the film with her hands over her eyes.
Summary Thoughts:
This is very much a sequel, but a sequel that pretty much stays to the same knitting that made the first film such a success. But it obviously lacks the surprise factor of the first film and as such it didn’t come over to me as half as ‘clever’. In a lot of ways it was a formulaic re-tread.
But fans of the first film should also enjoy this one. I did. However, given that it is really nothing special, I have a nagging feeling that I might have been a tad over-generous with my rating on this one!
Where to watch?
Trailer:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5X2pt95cIo.
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