Plot
Hutch is still paying off the debt he owes due to the events of the first film.
Needing a vacation, he along with wife Becca, son Brady, daughter Sammy and Dad David head to a small town in Wisconsin which has a water park he visited as a child, finds himself embroiled in the towns drug empire – and must do what he does best… all while trying to relax…
Direction
Directed by Indonesian film maker Timo Tjahjanto – it like the first film has a “John Wick” like energy towards it with its larger than life action set pieces and choreography.
Cast
Returning from the first film are the entire Mansell family – Hutch (Bob Odenkirk), Becca (Connie Nielsen), David (Christopher Lloyd), Harry (RZA), Brady (Gage Mansell), Sammy (Paisley Codorath). Colin Salmon also returns as The Barber – who Hutch owes $30m in debt to.
New characters are Abel, a corrupt Sheriff (played by Colin Hanks), Wyatt – the theme park owner and co-conspirator in the drug empire (played by John Ortiz), and Lendina (played by Sharon Stone) who is the ‘mastermind’ behind the whole operation.
Breakdown
I’ll be honest going into this review… I completely forgot all the events of what happened in the first film… so for me, this was an unneccessary sequel to a film that is rather forgettable.
At 88m it’s easy to get through, but still drags at times. The moments from the first film come back (distant wife and kids), which is why he needs a vacation from it all.
The instant conflict he faces in the town is slightly silly, but at least we get some more memorable villains (Hanks with a silly fade haircut, and Stone as the big big bad). Her over the top movie villain is kinda fun.
There are plenty of action set pieces (like the duck boat sequence) and double crosses where some of the bad guys (Ortiz’ Wyatt) join Hutch because the other bad guys have gone against them (and kidnapped his son!) – which sets in motion an over the top finale (at his theme park no less).
Overall
Even at 88m with credits, this ‘does’ drag a little – but it’s still a fun ride with Odenkirk deliverng the goods as the ‘action’ star once again.
There are plenty of decent action sequences, so if you’re a fan of the John Wick franchise, you’ll love this.
3.5/5
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