#REVIEW: “THE NUT JOB 2: NUTTY BY NATURE”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature is a sequel that’s better than its predecessor.

Since The Nut Job, Surly (Will Arnett) and his animal friends have been living extravagant lifestyle – eating colossal amounts of a wide variety of nuts – in the basement of an abandoned nut shop. When the shop accidentally explodes the gang are forced to return to their previous home, the Oakton City park. When they learn that the Mayor of Oakton is destroying the park to build a permanent carnival for revenue, Surly and his friends spring into action to save their home from being demolished.

The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature succeeds because of its story. Cal Brunker, Bob Barlen and Scott Bindley write a tight script that narrows in on the man vs. nature narrative while, keeping the laughs coming. They accomplish this by comparing man, the evil Mayor, and nature, the loveable animals of Oakton City Park. By keeping the story simple the Film’s message is understood by audiences of all ages. For an animated family film the content is a bit heavy, but it is lightened through the use of comedic dialogue throughout. Yet, the laughs wouldn’t come if it wasn’t for the delivery from the cast. Arnett is great once again as Surly, making a nut-job squirrel sound like the leader of his animal friends. And Jackie Chan is the hilarious voice behind Mr. Feng, who is the cutest mouse in the world that could cause pain with the tip of his finger. It’s the voices behind these cute furry characters that make this Film funny.

Overall, The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature works because of its script. The message of Man destroying Nature for profit resonates to the adults audiences while educating younger audiences. And it manages to do all this while entertaining both.

eOne Films release THE NUT JOB 2: NUTTY BY NATURE Friday, August 11, 2017.