We’re still three days away from the release ofNobody 2, but early reactions to the action thriller sequel have given us a little insight into whetherBob Odenkirk’sunlikely hero is still a hit with fans. Released in 2021,Nobodystarred Odenkirk as Hutch Mansell, a former government assassin-turned office worker who reluctantly returns to his old life after becoming the target of a Russian crime lord. Grossing $57.5 million at the box office, the sequel was announced in 2022, and since then, fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of Odenkirk’s everyman hero.
It appears as if the wait was worth it, as reactions toNobody 2on social media have praised the sequel and director Timo Tjahjanto for delivering even more “bone-cracking action.” As critic Bill Bria puts it:
“Each setpiece has its own vibe thanks to Timo Tjahjanto, and the physicality of Bob Odenkirk is even more impressive than the first film. It’s such a pleasure to watch him bring the havoc to some bad dudes.”
Peter Gray was another who had high praise forNobody 2, writing that it’s 90 minutes of big, violent fun, while adding that “Bob Odenkirk holds his own as expected, but it’s a treat to see more of Connie Nielsen and an unhinged Sharon Stone at play.” Stone isn’t the only new cast member along for the ride this time, as Colin Hanks and John Ortiz join the returning Odenkirk, Nielson, Michael Ironside, RZA, Colin Salmon, and Christopher Lloyd. This time, all the action takes place while the Mansell family are just looking to enjoy a nice vacation:
“Workaholic assassin Hutch Mansell takes his family on a much-needed vacation to the small tourist town of Plummerville. However, he soon finds himself in the crosshairs of a corrupt theme-park operator, a shady sheriff, and a bloodthirsty crime boss.”
‘Nobody 2’ Lives Up to the Hype to Deliver a Tight Action Thriller
Shot up in Canada last year, critic Zachary Lee points out thatNobody 2trades the “Korean noir aesthetic of the first for an ebullient and bubble gum-esque ambience.” He notes that the sequel “never quite reaches the highs ofNobody’sbus fight, but it wins through its sheer volume of set pieces.” That’s good news for fans who are expecting something a little different this time around, rather than a carbon copy of the original that was directed by Ilya Naishuller.
Clearly, Odenkirk, Tjahjanto, and the rest of the phenomenal cast have managedto capture lightning in a bottle once againwithNobody 2based on early reactions, and perhaps the best thing of all about the new movie is that it’s a few minutes shorter than its predecessor. The 2021 hit clocked in at 92 minutes, while the sequel runs just 89 minutes, delivering a tight action thriller that doesn’t waste our time with a lot of exposition. Who needs all that when we’d rather watch Odenkirk “channel his inner Jackie Chan,” as one critic put it.
You can judge for yourself ifNobody 2lives up to all the hype when the film hits theaters this Friday, August 15 from Universal Pictures.
