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Film reviews

Nobody 2 Review

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The first film was just an introduction, but Nobody 2 brings a new level of explosions and mayhem. Fuming with funniness is Bob Odenkirk as the center of attention. It is a sequel in which action and humor work together to please audiences. The party in Nobody 2 results from the problems of the first film being multiplied when the main character in this sequel goes on vacation with his family of four. What can go wrong? What more can explode? Nobody 2 is unique while remaining slightly silly because it is infused with an enthralling magic touch.

The plot of the sequel involves Hutch (Odenkirk) recovering from the events of the first film. The life of being a dad in the suburbs has not been an easy adjustment for him because his sense of mayhem still lingers. He tries to be in dad mode, but it does not come easily. Therefore, he decides to take his family on a vacation. He is accompanied by his wife Becca (played by Connie Nielsen) and his kids, Sammy (played by Paisley Cadorath) and Brady (played by Gage Munroe). They also bring Hutch’s father David (played by Christopher Lloyd). The vacation dynamic is dominated by Hutch trying to repeatedly dismiss his assassin side. In addition, they discover that his son may have the same type of personality as he does. The stages of getting overly angry and violent do not fly well when they’re trying to enjoy their family vacation in Nobody 2.

The film feels slightly redundant since many moments from the first film feel like they are repeated within the second. Because this is an action and comedy sequel, that is kind of expected. However, the approach used in the sequel is the main problem. During the second film, the nemesis characters are looped in as well. Hutch’s wife has a bad past of her own, and that addselements of bad karma. The result is that there are some bad people after Hutch, his wife, and the entire family. 

As Hutch navigates the challenge of keeping his assassin-side intact, the new enemies make his urges harder to resist. This is especially the case when it comes to a questionable police officer. That individual is Abel (played by Colin Hanks), and he follows Hutch and his family to unravel some of the hidden dangers that exist for this family. Additionally, there is the head criminal, Lendina (played by Sharon Stone). With this cast of characters, there is a rough, powerhouse dynamic where funny can be deadly, but which also struggles due to the redundancy in its writing.

With Odenkirk, Hanks, and Stone playing out the good guys versus bad guys dynamic, Nobody 2 felt a bit simplistic. These characters are right for the roles and are able to keep the generic yet silly tone that works for this film. Fortunately, the comedy vibe mixed with evil is faithful. In the end, Odenkirk still rises as a suburban dad with a bad attitude to take on all kinds of cinematic mayhem. Two-and-a-half out of four stars for Nobody 2.

Film reviews

Highest 2 Lowest Review

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This film directed by Spike Lee with Denzel Washington in the lead is one that makes for a masterclass in filmmaking success. Highest 2 Lowest is what I consider to be one of the best films of 2025. It has a dramatic sense of power and irony that moves in a direction that creating its own force of nature. Lee’s directing is like the setup of a play of power and triumph–one where millionaires and the music industry find themselves in a battle of ransom to the highest peaks. Instead of suspenseful tones of action, it follows more along the lines of politics weaving back and forth with egos fighting to come to an agreement. With Lee, fans know that he is one to paint the portrait with the writing on the wall. It is fresh “writing on the wall” all over in Highest 2 Lowest.

The film centers on a music mogul named David King (Washington). He is all about money and thriving on the power of creativity via words and wisdom. His wife is Pam King (played by Illfenesh Hadera) and his family friend is Paul Christopher (played by Jeffrey Wright). The life of New York is golden and glamorous with King fully living the high life of the music industry. All that changes in a heartbeat when his son Trey (played Aubrey Joseph) is kidnapped. It is a ransom situation that gets political and ethical. A moral dilemma is presented with much authority associated.

The film is mesmerizing because of its set-up. It feels like a Shakespeare production. That is because the many moments of suspense will have Washington pontificating on authority and business while also dealing with finding the means to get around a ransom. Not only that, but also assuring that his life continues to be glamorous and successful with his family. Lee brings in that brotherhood and fatherhood vibe with many lines of wisdom throughout the hard and aching moments of the powerful crime. The New York streets boil down the mood of anxiousness with an artistic form of continuity that is one-of-a-kind in Highest 2 Lowest.

The dynamic between Washington and Wright is also the major component of staying connected in Highest 2 Lowest. There is a background of writing that establishes what a close relationship looks like while dealing with a hard situation. But also, the ransom scenario has its moments where it competes—because money is the key to getting out of the conflict. Ultimately resolution is all in the hands of the business perspective of Highest 2 Lowest and Lee’s directing creates a road that presents this vividly in Highest 2 Lowest.

To retrace my words of why I love this movie, it is because I love how Washington can play a man of success and a man dealing with a complicated situation.  At the same time, he presents a serious side but is also mentally prepared to go down with the irreparable consequences. Music, money, family, hardship—greed and success does not bring good people with it sometimes. The portrait of jealousy lies within, but the voice of fighting to keep going strong via politics is where Highest 2 Lowest shines. Four out of four stars for Highest 2 Lowest.

 

4k releases, Film reviews, Warner Bros

Warner Bros 4k Releases: Lethal Weapon (1987)

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Lethal Weapon, a Look Back:

From Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, Lethal Weapon is available now on 4K UHD. One of the many classics that has built a following for decades. With the dynamic between both detectives Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh, it is a gem that thrives in its nostalgic treasure. Mel Gibson (Braveheart,The Patriot) plays  loose cannon detective Martin Riggs, and Danny Glover (Sorry to Bother You, The Old Man & the Gun) portrays a “by the book” family man nearing retirement in Roger Murtaugh. The dynamic duo of different personalities are forced to find a cohesive partnership  to catch drug smugglers threatening the streets of Los Angeles.

4K Features:

The 4K edition has both the theatrical and the director’s cuts of the film. It also offers limited, but meaningful bonus features. The bonus features contain just enough to maintain the essential importance of Lethal Weapon. The special features include a delightful retrospective on the undeniable chemistry shared between stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as well as a special look back at director Richard Donner. Finally the 4K provides a delightful analysis of the alchemy behind the film’s most famous quotable moment. The importance of what was taken into account in developing Lethal Weapon thrives vividly in its 4K UHD release.

Purchase or Pass?

For those who are truly lifelong fans of Lethal Weapon this package is worth the purchase. That also depends on how much of a “die-hard” fan one is.  Any fan of 80’s action films will feel that the packaging of this release will add nicely to their collection. However, the limited amount of features provided may leave fringe fans thinking otherwise.