Nobody 2 (MA) - 89 minutes

We first encountered the seemingly mild-mannered husband and father of two Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk), whose life was drab and routine, in 2021.

For all intents and purposes, he was a nobody.

The pretence was that he used to be an “auditor” for the FBI and gave up the job to settle into family life.

He had a wife, Becca (Connie Nielsen), son Blake (Gage Munroe) and daughter Sammy (Paisley Cadorath)

But the word “auditor” was a pseudonym for something far more nefarious.

He was, in fact, a clean-up guy – the bloke to whom the agency turned when everything had gone pear shaped.

So, it was that Hutch got roped back into hyper violent interactions by a cocky Russian mobster and his army of hoods.

The original also featured tongue in cheek humour and a ripping soundtrack.

Now we have more of the same.

The starting point this time is that four years after he inadvertently took on the Russian mob, Hutch remains US$30 million in debt to the criminal organisation.

He is working it off with an unending string of hits on international thugs.

But, being a workaholic, he is becoming increasingly distanced from his wife and children, now aged 17 and 12.

So, he determines that it is best to take a break, although – as it turns out – trouble follows him.

He takes his family on holiday to a resort and theme park he and his brother were taken to when they were kids.

Also in tow is his gung ho father, David (Christopher Lloyd), who also worked for the agency.

What Hutch doesn’t count on is the cold reception his son and he receive.

In no time, Blake gets into a fight, while the sheriff and the resort operator take a dislike to Hutch.

Worse is to follow when Hutch finds himself on the wrong side of an unhinged, bloodthirsty crime boss, Lendina (Sharon Stone).

While seeing Nobody would help put Nobody 2 into context, you can still watch this sequel cold and readily understand what is going down.

That is because the juxtaposition between playing happy families and ruthless killer is so stark, and is played up accordingly.

As unlikely as it looks, Bob Odenkirk makes for a willing and adept kick ass action hero, and – of course – that is the whole point.

The first movie did well at the box office, so they were always going to make a another.

The writer of the original, Derek Kolstad, has been joined by Aaron Rabin in creating another over the top scenario.

The director is Indonesian filmmaker Timo Tjahjanto in his first English language and first studio movie.

Connie Nielsen has more of a role to play in this sequel and she comes into her own as the movie reaches its climax.

Christopher Lloyd has little to say, but all it takes is a look or two and he endears himself to an audience.

As Lendina, Sharon Stone likes throwing her weight around and making everyone know who’s boss. She has fun with the role.

The outcome of Nobody 2 is never in doubt, so it is simply of question of taking us on a wild and wacky journey, which is exactly what the filmmakers do.

With a pulsating soundtrack and no shortage of histrionics, the movie delivers what patrons – especially those who saw the first – came to see.

Rated MA, it scores a 7 out of 10.