★★★★ out of 5 -- Rated: R -- Run time: 1 hour, 29 minutes
Back in 2021, “Better Call Saul” star Bob Odenkirk scored a surprise hit by taking a turn as an action star in the film “Nobody.”
The story, written by “John Wick” creator Derek Kolstad, follows “Hutch,” a former government assassin now living a boring, low-profile life.
He’s pushed into utilizing his multiple former skills to defend himself and his family against adversaries that include Russian gangsters. Many fights, gun battles and explosions ensue.
The film cost only $16 million but made over $57 million, an impressive feat at a time when COVID was still impacting movie theaters.
Naturally, a sequel was put into production, with Kolstad co-writing the script with Aaron Rabin (“Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”).
This time out, we find out Hutch is reluctantly still doing special assignments, but that there are also tensions at home. His wife (the returning Connie Nielsen) wants her husband to spend more quality time with her and their two kids.
They embark on a family vacation to an aging, third-rate amusement park, which Hutch fondly remembers from his childhood.
Hutch just wants to be left alone, but, of course, that’s not going to happen. The park is infested with bullies, organized crime and corrupt police. What’s a dad to do?
“Nobody 2” is directed by Indonesian horror/action filmmaker Timo Tjahjanto (“May the Devil Take You,” “Headshot”), who is making his first English-language movie.
He and his stunt coordinators take full advantage of the many action possibilities provided by an amusement park, like arcades, water slides, a hall of mirrors, etc. (Think “Home Alone” with more lethal booby-traps.)
They’ve created some very original fight sequences with an extended battle that takes place on a tour boat and another fight inside a crowded elevator being especially memorable.
The movie also features some interesting casting: Colin Hanks plays against type and is actually quite menacing as the especially foul-mouthed, corrupt local sheriff. Sharon Stone also has a memorable turn as an over-the-top, even more foul-mouthed crime boss.
John Ortiz (“Fast and the Furious”) is especially effective in his role as the owner of the amusement park, who is more complex than first indicated.
Besides the wonderful Niesen (whose role is expanded from the first film), other returning characters include rapper/actor RZA as Hutch’s adopted brother, and Christopher Lloyd as their former FBI agent father. (The 86-year-old Lloyd takes part in the action, even manning a machine gun at one point, and looks like he’s loving it.)
Anchoring all of it is Odenkirk, a very talented actor who once again demonstrates his believability portraying an action character.
Their performances are all boosted by director Tjahjanto, who has given this movie a real sense of style, especially with his use of music. He utilizes a wide selection of songs for some of the action scenes, ranging from Tony Bennett to Celine Dion, which is an unexpected but nice touch.
“Nobody 2” won’t win any Academy Awards, but it is an impressive and entertaining addition to the summer movie line-up.