MOVIE REVIEW: NOBODY 2

 

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.

Director: Timo Tjahjanto

Cast: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, RZA, Colin Salmon, Gage Munroe, Paisley Cadorath, Christopher Lloyd, John Ortiz, Colin Hanks, Sharon Stone

Release Date: August 15, 2025

Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime, Thriller

Rated R for strong bloody violence, and language throughout.

Runtime: 1h 29m

Review:

Nobody 2 is a straightforward sequel that focuses on what made the first one fun and turns it up to an almost cartoonish level of incredibly fun action which is all anchored by Bob Odenkirk central performance.  Timo Tjahjanto takes the reins behind the camera and proves more than capable of delivering the over-the-top action that the first film delivered.  There are fits of frenzy as he delivers a pair of particularly impressive set pieces, one on a boat and the water park finale, that are as nonsensical as they are enjoyable.  You get the sense that Tjahjanto is just itching to bust out the next action sequence during some of the more plot driven moments.  Those expecting the characters to get fleshed out more in this entry might be left a little disappointed since the film moves at a breakneck pace.  Odenkirk is still incredibly fun as the workaholic middle aged assassin who is desperately in need of a break.  He manages to balance his character's duel sided personality which makes it mostly believable that he's a family man and incredibly lethal side at the same time.  He does get some small scenes with Connie Nielsen that gives her a tad more to do this go round but she still feels woefully underused.  Likewise, Christopher Lloyd and RZA pop in and out of the story periodically with both getting their big moment which is great but you are left wishing they had a bit more time to work with.  Newcomers, Sharon Stone, John Ortiz and Colin Hanks are also shuffled on and off screen so quickly that they really don't make much of an impact.  Sharon Stone does manage to chew up every scene she's in with impressive gusto but the film never takes full advantage of her.  It all keeps Nobody 2 from being better than the original but still more than fun enough for fans of that film.  

B+

Movie Reviews: THE HOUSE BUNNY

Sunday, August 24, 2008
Movie Reviews: THE HOUSE BUNNY
IN THEATERS

THE HOUSE BUNNY








Sexpot Shelley Darlington (Anna Faris) lives comfortably at the Playboy Mansion, until a jealous rival gets her tossed out on her tail. With nowhere else to go, she winds up at Zeta Alpha Zeta sorority. The seven socially inept Zetas will lose their house unless they can attract more pledges; to do that; they need to learn the ways of makeup and men from an expert.

Cast: Anna Faris, Colin Hanks, Emma Stone, Kat Dennings, Dana Min Goodman

Director: Fred Wolf

Opened August 22, 2008

Runtime: 1 hr. 38 min


Rated PG-13 for sex-related humor, partial nudity and brief strong language

Genres: Comedy


Review:

Predictable, clichéd and sometimes kind funny The House Bunny doesn't break any new ground in familiar territory but it does a decent job of not making the entire enterprise feel monotonous. Scripted by Legally Blonde scribes Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz, The House Bunny does have some inspired moments particular when the surprisingly effective ensemble cast delivers some truly funny dialogue. I've always been a fan of Anna Faris and here she delivers a great turn as Shelley, giving her an endearing brand of naiveté. Faris starts off slowly but has some solid moments throughout even if all the jokes don't find the mark. The cast of all too familiar misfits is headlined by Emma Stone (Superbad) who shows some good comedic chops and excellent timing. Kat Dennings (The 40 Year Old Virgin) also delivers an equally solid performance as the Zeta's resident feminist. Katharine McPhee has a supporting role and as I'm not an American Idol zealot it took me until the end of the film, via a shoehorned musical number during the credits, to recognize her. Regardless, McPhee does come across as very naturalist and comfortable in front of the camera even with an unexplained pregnancy. Fred Wolf sophomore directorial effort is quickly paced and never lingers on anything too much even if there are one too many montages in the film and overly Pop centric soundtrack. At times The House Bunny does feel like it could go into slightly more satirical ground but it never does, a real shame as it might have made it feel less familiar. As a whole it does seem like an estrogen filled bastard child of Animal House and Revenge of the Nerds. It provides some good laughs but you won't be surprised by anything that occurs.

C+