The Mosley Review: Nobody 2

Think back to the mid 90s when action films were at the top of their game. Some of the best action films received the sequel treatment and they either surpassed the original, met at the same level or were lesser than because the dip in quality. Well this film was combination of all three. The first film had that charm of "coming out of retirement" to it as we watch a man snap back into his old ways. He past caught back up with him and from there we go on an unexpected fun ride. This new chapter continues from that idea and fully embraces the brutal and ludicrous action, but with a lack of polish. The story is derivative and predictable, but that doesn't mean I didn't have fun in this short and sweet action caper. The characters you grew to love are all back plus a new member that delivers the true definition swinging for the fences.

Bob Odenkirk returns as government assassin, Hutch Mansell. He has fully dove back into the world of violence and at times, you can see he has more fun doing that than being a family man. I liked that it starts to dawn on him that his work life was diminishing his home life. The character may not be as complex, but he is very relatable as Bob continues to bring out the warm heart of Hutch. Connie Nielsen was great yet again as his wife Becca and I loved that she wasn't on the sidelines this time. Becca gets to have some fun too while also showing why she is the most perfect and understanding wife he could ever ask for. Their chemistry never ceases to amaze me. Gage Munroe returns as their son, Brady and I liked that the father and son relationship was explored. He has that teen angst intact, but it is a newer version of his father's strength and aggression. I loved that he matures very quickly by the end of the film. RZA returns as Hutch's adopted brother, Harry and he was cool. RZA must have it in his contract that half of the characters he portrays must have a form of samurai influence. As Harry, he goes full bore into that while still delivering the fun brotherly bond that was established in the first film. Christopher Lloyd is back as their father David and he is somehow having even more fun than he had in the first film. His childish glee for violence is infectious in the epic finale. John Ortiz is always great to watch and as Wyatt Martin, he tries to be the intimidating boss of the small town, but he's a father too. He inherits the family debt that even he hates and you see it weighing on him. Colin Hanks just goes for the most mean and unlikable corrupt cop you’ve ever seen as Wyatt's right hand, Abel. Now one actress that truly swung for the fences and never stopped swinging was Sharon Stone as the main antagonist, Lendina. She was on another level of villainy and I was just sitting back in awe of how much she was enjoying herself.

The score by composer Dominic Lewis was pure fun and adrenaline fueled in every action sequence. The action in this film was the main reason for its existence and it is great. Its clever, ridiculously bloody, and has the best moments of comedy. Some of the major problems I had range from the over use of dialogue additions and the way the film was shot. You know when the camera is on the back of a characters' head and you see their jaw moving, but its not in sync with what's being said? That happens so much in this film that it felt like there was so much cut or reshot to try and fix the story of the film. This major lesson needs to be re-taught to current filmmakers: More often than not, less dialogue gets the story across and ends a scene in a cleaner way. Also, most films are shot in 24 frames per second, but this film shifts from 48fps to 60fps so many times, that I thought my theater’s projection was messed up. It was very distracting during dialogue or walking scenes. Overall, you get more of what you love from the first film, but a bit of a lesser qaulity. I still had fun, but I wouldn't pay full price for this one. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in comments below. Thanks for reading!