NOBODY'S NOT PERFECT
In 2021's Nobody, the "nobody" in question is actually a somebody. I mean how is this dude able to acquire a special set of skills so quickly? Ben Odenkirk plays said nobody in the form of Hutch Mansell. Ben has never ventured into action star mode but if you squint long enough, he kinda looks like 70s Clint Eastwood or Kevin Costner a la 3 Days to Kill.
So yeah, Nobody is light on story and heavy on action. It's inventive yet violently sloppy. Co-stars RZA and Christopher Lloyd (yes that 82-year-old Christopher Lloyd) join in on the shoot-em'-up fun. They supplement Hutch's need to break out of his cautious, non-combative lifestyle.
Containing some tongue-n-cheek humor, featuring clips where villains bite the slow-mo dust to old school ballad music, and directed by the guy known for the gimmicky Hardcore Henry (Ilya Naishuller), Nobody chronicles husband and father Hutch Mansell (mentioned earlier). After a couple of thieves break into Hutch's home, Hutch decides to track the thieves down and eventually get embroiled with some Russian mobsters.
Mansell's solution mind you, is a savage one. He vows to kick some butt and take some names. Before he beats up some riled-up ruffians, Hutch actually says, "I hope these guys like hospital food". Yikes!
If I had to compare Nobody with anything, I'd have to say that it reminded me a little of the John Wick films. Here's the thing: Odenkirk is an affable action hero but he lacks the vulnerability and fragile nature of John Wick himself (Keanu "Cool Breeze" Reeves). Reeves looked like he wasn't in the best shape to fight but he prevailed like a Mack Truck anyway. Added to that, the "Wick" flicks are longer in length and become more defining in scope.
Bottom line: If Nobody had come out before John Wick, it might have had a lesser been there, done that feel. Despite some kinetic editing and veritable fists of fury, Nobody "doesn't do it better".
Written by Jesse Burleson
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