Known for its bloody fight scenes and mind-blowing choreography, very few action films have made an impact quite like the John Wick series. Keanu Reeves’ turn as the feared/renowned assassin who almost got out of the system is something to behold, and while those movies (and the recent Ballerina spin-off) will always have a place in our action-obsessed hearts, there is another hitman on the block whose latest film is just about to hit a Cineworld near you.
Nobody took everybody by surprise when it dropped only a few years back, not just because leading man Bob Odenkirk hadn’t yet played an action star, but it also had a fairly modest budget by modern standards. Still, when it burst onto the scene, we were blown away by its unflinching fight scenes which kept us on the edge of our seats, right up until its explosive finale. Finally, a sequel is now upon us as the aptly named Nobody 2 is set to release 15th August.
While we do recommend rewatching Nobody before seeing Nobody 2, it’s still possible to go into this sequel without any knowledge of its predecessor, mostly because it scratches that same adrenaline-fueled itch that the John Wick series provided, so if you’re a fan of the Baba Yaga then here are five reasons why you need to see Nobody 2 when it comes to your local Cineworld.
Hutch Mansell is the Baba Yaga of the suburbs
When John Wick is pulled out of an early retirement, it doesn’t feel as though his pistols haven’t quite cooled from when he was last in the field. By comparison, Hutch Mansell is shoulder-deep in a white-picket fence Americana of his own making, with a wife, two kids, a nice house and a very boring job.
Unlike the globe-trotting locations that John Wick ventures to in search of vengeance, Hutch’s trip down memory lane has a more local quality to it, with a battle on a bus, intimidation in a tattoo parlour and eventually, a beatdown of epic proportions in his own living room. To see how the film used those locations to its advantage with inventive brawls is truly inspired, and we can’t wait to see how that translates to Nobody 2’s holiday resort setting.
The fight scenes do not hold back
If there’s one scene that everybody remembers from Nobody, it’s the brawl on the bus. It’s a simple premise: Hutch versus five drunken loudmouths who decide to harass the other passengers. Because it’s Hutch’s first big fight since his retirement, things don’t exactly go his way and he emerges with a stab wound and seemingly multiple broken bones, but it’s the fact that he wins nonetheless that makes it so much fun to watch.
With that in mind, expectations are high to see how Nobody 2 builds upon the credentials laid out by its predecessor. With the sequel seeing Hutch finally take his family on a much needed vacation but end up getting dragged into the middle of a highly hotly contested drug trade, we can’t imagine that the holiday vibes last for long, particularly as the trailer seems to hint at a follow-up to the first film’s most iconic scene, except this time on a small touring boat.
Bob Odenkirk is a true action hero
For the longest time, Bob Odenkirk was known for his comedic roles and impeccable timing when it came to landing a joke. When he grew to worldwide fame for his turn as Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and the show’s prequel, the man’s capabilities as a dramatic actor were suddenly in high-regard. When it came to bridging the final gap of being an action hero, Odenkirk took to the role of Hutch like a well-fitting pair of shoes.
Working in Odenkirk’s favour is the fact that, to look at him, you wouldn’t expect the man to start throwing punches, and in the world of the Nobody films, the bad guys always make the same mistake about Hutch. It’s only when bullets start flying and anything that’s lying around gets turned into a lethal weapon do they (and the audience) come to realise that Hutch is a force to be reckoned with.
The supporting cast is out of this world
Even though Keanu Reeves has stolen our hearts (much like Pedro Pascal these days), one of the most underrated aspects of the John Wick series has been its supporting cast, including the indomitable Ian McShane as Winston, the ever wonderful Lawrence Fishburne as the illusive Bowery King.
It seems as though the casting director for Nobody 2 has taken a few notes because a quick glance at the cast reveals an unbelievable line-up of stars. You’ve got Colin Hanks as the local sheriff, Sharon Stone as a formidable crime lord and even Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA returning as Hutch’s adopted brother. That’s not even mentioning the full list of recognisable faces, so if you want to see who else is included, then you’ll have to see the film for yourself.
Just like John Wick, Hutch wants to be left in peace
One of the most endearing things about John Wick is that he didn’t want to get back into the life he left behind – he was dragged back in by the violence of someone else. Hutch’s story follows a similar fashion as he hides his skills in order to lead a normal life, but when robbers break into his home and threaten his family, his entire world is turned upside down.
For Hutch, just like with John Wick, his story is about making things right, even if it does result in a few broken bones along the way.
If Nobody 2 sounds like just the cinematic roller coaster you've been waiting for, then make sure to be amongst the first to see it when it film arrives on August 15th.
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