NOBODY (R)
Released by Universal Pictures
Review by Adam Mast
Early on in his career, Bob Odenkirk was known for his brilliant comical work in “Mr. Show.” That said, he’s probably best known for his unforgettable portrayal of shifty Jimmy McGill, aka Saul Goodman, on both “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.” If you’ve seen him on any of the previously mentioned shows, then you’re already well aware that Odenkirk has never really been known for playing the “tough guy.” Therefore, it’s pretty easy to see why he’d want to switch things up a bit and do a movie like NOBODY. No doubt, Odenkirk probably woke up one morning and said to himself; “You know what? I think it’s time I played a badass for a change!”
In the ultra-violent, obscenely funny, briskly paced actioneer, NOBODY, Odenkirk is Hutch Mansell, an unassuming family man stuck in the rut of a mundane life. One night, following a burglary gone awry at his home, it becomes quite apparent that Hutch’s life hasn’t always been so mundane. In fact, an epic altercation that occurs with a group of thugs on a bus shortly after that burglary makes it even more painfully clear (painful mostly to those thugs on that bus) that Hutch may not be as unassuming as we initially thought. Let’s just say that eventually, the sleeping lion within Mansell’s soul awakens as he takes on a deadly Russian crime syndicate.
As noted in the previous paragraph, NOBODY is ultra-violent. Violent in the most gratuitous ways possible. In fact, some might even argue that violence is the star of the show. But you know what? While it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s all in good fun. Fun in the way the violence in movies like JOHN WICK is fun. In fact, NOBODY sort of hearkens back to the action films of the 80s…An era when it seemed like we’d be treated to a new variation of COMMANDO or RAMBO in theaters every other weekend.
NOBODY certainly benefits from being equal measures violent, absurd, and funny. The whole thing is ridiculous and light on its feet even when awful things are happening on screen. Included; A hilarious running gag in which Hutch has various evil henchmen literally dying on him throughout the film right as he’s in the middle of telling them profound stories about his life.
Odenkirk is a lot of fun in this movie and it’s clear that he got into shape for the proceedings and while I never entirely bought him as a full-blooded badass in the same way I buy Keanu Reeves as a full-blooded badass, I enjoyed the fact that Hutch really does take as many punches as he gives. Look no further than that said sequence on the bus. Gloriously over-the-top in a THEY LIVE street fight kind of way. Also fittingly over-the-top is this film’s big bad (wonderfully played by Aleksey Serebryakov), an eccentric Russian who likes singing and dancing almost as much as he likes killing people.
NOBODY was directed with dynamic flair by Ilya Naishuller (HARDCORE HENRY) and while this film doesn’t quite reach the joyous, hyper-kinetic heights of the JOHN WICK movies, it still moves at a quick clip, winningly alternating between stylish action and dark comedy. Further props to the makers of NOBODY for bringing the great Connie Nielsen (GLADIATOR, WONDER WOMAN), badass RZA (THE MAN WITH THE IRON FISTS, POPSTAR), genre fave Michael Ironside (SCANNERS, TOTAL RECALL) and the legendary Christopher Lloyd (BACK TO THE FUTURE, THE ADDAMS FAMILY) along for the blood-soaked ride.
In the end, NOBODY isn’t exactly a reinvention of the action wheel by any means, but it’s certainly an entertaining enough ride, particularly for those who like their violent action films laced with a sense of humor.
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