User reviews

Expectations admittedly were not high going into 'The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature'. Didn't think that highly of the first film, while not hating it (a case of great animation and some vocal standouts but very lazy writing), and like with the first film the advertising was not promising at all. Judging from how a number of sequels fare, the point of 'The Nut Job' actually needing a sequel was questioned.

Being a lifelong fan of animation and seeing as there are some good actors in the vocal cast, doubts were cast aside despite not expecting much. So it was a surprise that 'The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature' was much better than expected, actually not being a bad film and better than the advertising made it look, and was an improvement over its predecessor. It may not be a great film and not a film that will go down in history or be remembered for years to come, but it could have been far worse.

'The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature' has a number of strengths. The animation is great, and more polished than the animation in 'The Nut Job'. It's colourful and vibrant-looking, with admirable attention to detail in the expressions (especially with Buddy) and backgrounds and the characters are cute without being cutesy and look more polished in design. The bright and breezy soundtrack is also very catchy, even enhancing what's going on and there is nothing that makes you groan like "Gangnam Style".

On the most part, the voice acting is very good. A bubbly and sassy Maya Rudolph, a ray of sunshine and really makes the film come alive, is the standout, and Jackie Chan was a big surprise. He seemed a bizarre casting choice on paper but he came over as very lively and also gave some verve. Bobby Cannavale is charming and amusing, and while Buddy is largely silent (ah the power of making a character fun and likable through actions and expressions primarily with not so many words) Tom Kenny proves how talented he is and the chemistry between Buddy and Surly gives the film some heart.

Will Arnett and Katherine Heigl are much better than before. Arnett this time doesn't take Surly's surliness to extremes and he doesn't come over as too snarky or smug, voicing with more energy and wit. Heigl tones down the Rom-com cutesiness and does well being the voice of reason. Generally the writing is better. Liked the relatable and relevant messages and how they were dealt with in the film, children and adults alike will appreciate them. Likewise with the homages, recognising them and how they were integrated put a smile on my face, and there were some witty one liners and amusing gags that are generally more tasteful. Oh and the mice are scene stealers.

However, while 'The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature' is tighter paced and there is more of a story it feels too much this time round. The story can feel too busy and rushed, with too much going on and too many characters. This does sacrifice depth to the characters and the subplots, which tend to be underdeveloped. The humour doesn't come off consistently either, needing sharper timing and a less frenetic pace.

Parts did feel tired and are more juvenile than witty. While the humour is more tasteful generally, one gag does come over as vulgar and leaves a bad taste in the mouth involving vomiting out food and eating it up again (not to be viewed while eating).

A few of the characters don't work, especially the hugely irritating Heather voiced in an overbearingly shrill manner by Isabela Moner. The clichéd mayor character annoys more than he intimidates. Gunther is wonderfully voiced by Peter Stormare and he is the fun and menacing character that the mayor should have been, but there are times where the character is at odds with the rest of the film's tone.

Overall, not great but better than expected and better than 'The Nut Job'. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Frankly, I did not think there will a sequel, but this one came out and I say I'm not fully disappointed. It is an acceptable film with a good message told with full of cliches. The story continued from where the previous one had ended. Right away a new adventure begins. Surly and his friends, after losing their stock of food, now forced to return to their natural home, the park. But the place is getting turned into an amusement park by an evil mayor. So they plan to fight back and how they succeed are the revealed in the remaining part.

As I said, not bad. At least the children would enjoy it better. The new characters are good, but that did not bring more fun. The comedies were average. With this year's average result from all the animated feature that had released, this film does not look so bad at all. Only if the story had been much better, it would have achieved a better result. The production and all the voice-over work were good. I don't know there will be another sequel, but I don't wish, except if they come up with some good story to tell for all ages. It's just once watchable!

6/10

I watched this recenty and I must say I was actually kind of surprised I really enjoyed watching this one the characters were cute and lovable and a joy to watch you really need to try this one its wayyyy different than the other movie and you will love it for being different the sweetness of the sqirls and the family is just extremely sweet and lovable

In Season 4, Episode 11 of comedian Jerry Seinfeld's eponymous sitcom, he tells his mother, "I like kids' shows. They have a very innocent, wholesome quality." Some kids' movies hold the same appeal for adults, not based on any double-entendres the writers insert into the script to keep adults entertained, but simply because of the good, clean fun inherent in the film. "The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature" (PG, 1:31) is such a movie. But it wasn't always this way with the franchise's characters. The genesis of this movie goes back to a 2005 animated short called "Surly Squirrel". The title character was more than surly. He was downright mean. You might even call him evil. That animated short (which is available on YouTube) also included enough adult language and violence that it could've received a PG-13 rating from the MPAA. Yet, it proved to be a good starting point for its writer/director, Peter Lepeniotis.

2014 saw the release of the animated feature "The Nut Job", which Lepeniotis co-wrote and directed. He made his squirrel friend the protagonist this time (not quite as mean, but still pretty surly) and made the plot more kid-friendly. In spite of low ratings from critics, enough kids and adults saw the film that it earned nearly $120 million worldwide (almost three times what it cost to make) and quickly earned a greenlight for the sequel. Originally, Lepeniotis was set to write and Carl Brunker ("Escape from Planet Earth") to direct, but Lepeniotis left the project. Brunker did direct – and also co-wrote – with Bob Barlen and Scott Bindley, all three of whom were already working on the 3rd film in the franchise (for a 2019 release), even before the 2nd hit theaters. But never fear, "Nut Job" fans. (I didn't mean that the way it sounded.) The sequel does well in the continuity department, with most of the main characters returning (voiced mostly by the original actors) and a plot that picks up where its predecessor left off.

The animals of Liberty Park are thoroughly enjoying access to the abandoned neighborhood nut shop. Surly Squirrel (again voiced by Will Arnett) is the hero who made it all happen and he, along with most of his furry friends, have practically moved into the basement, which has become a combination 24-hour buffet, night club and amusement park. The animals are eating, drinking and making merry like the good times will never end, but one of their own is sounding the alarm. Surly's friend and fellow squirrel, Andie (Katherine Heigl), is complaining that the animals are forgetting how to get food for themselves and that the way they are living is unnatural. She also warns that this situation can't continue forever. When it turns out that she was right, everyone looks to Surly for guidance. He assures them he can find food and takes his practically mute and none-too- bright partner-in-crime, Buddy (Tom Kenny), with him. Not only do none of Surly's ideas pan out, but he and Buddy run afoul of a tiny white city mouse named Mr. Feng (Jackie Chan) who absolutely hates being called "cute" and sicks his many mousy minions on the pair.

But soon, Surly and company have bigger problems than a cute (yeah, I said it), angry Kung Fu mouse, or a food shortage. They're about to become homeless! An overweight, egotistical, entitled and greedy politician (this cartoon is a mayor) simply called "Mayor" (SNL's Bobby Moynihan) is making plans to monetize the only place in the city that doesn't help fill his coffers – Liberty Park. He's decided to bulldoze it and use the land for an amusement park (one that looks to be as dangerous to the city's residents as he is). Meanwhile, the female pug (and friendly, but annoying face licker) named Precious (Maya Rudolph) is snatched out of the park by the Mayor's spoiled little girl (Isabela Moner). She brings Precious home and stuffs her in a cage with her male bulldog named Frankie (Bobby Cannavale) who takes an immediate liking to Precious. Back in the park, Surly has to learn a few things about teamwork and getting along with others if the animals are going to have any chance of saving their home.

"The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature" has everything an audience member can ask for in an animated feature, regardless of the Movie Fan's age. There are fun characters, an engaging story and unusually good action sequences (for an animated movie). There are also plenty of laughs (very good jokes, puns and sight gags), movie homages ("Toy Story", "Mad Max", "Back to the Future" and "300") and lessons for all (including selflessness, teamwork and the importance of working for what you need). Some of the adults in the advanced screening I attended commented that this movie was better than the first one and the kids around me seemed to be having a good time too. Transitions between story elements were a little awkward, but this sequel is still terrifically entertaining family fun and is one of the best animated sequels since "Toy Story 2". "A-"

'The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature'

'The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature' is a 2017 computer animated film produced by Open Road Films, creators of 'Justin Bieber's Believe.'

'The Nut Job 2' is a bad film, but not the kind of bad that you can enjoy. Rather, it's a film that robs any enthusiasm, hope, or light inside of you and destroys it. It's not clever, or fun, or in anyway bears a semblance of enjoyment. It is cold upon delivery, and until its conclusion you, the ignorant viewer, are forced to witness its ramblings.

The plot itself is not grounded, or devoted to making a point, or even interested in carrying some sort of purpose. It just ...is.

Surly Squirrel and his pack of forest critters are living off the fruition of an abandoned nut shop for several years now. However, in the process many have lost their primal instincts. This, in itself, is an interesting idea. For a children's film produced by a mediocre studio, it is, dare I say it, an innovative and important concept. However, because subtlety appears to be gone nowadays, we meet our villain, a fellow called Mayor Muldoon, your typical onenote kid's bad guy; a rich, fat, bald male with a bratty redhead daughter. Muldoon wants to tear down the park and in its place install a local amusement park. The animals now must protect their beloved park, while also transitioning back to their original instincts due to the recent destruction of their Nut Shop.

In one scene, Surly takes on an impending bulldozer by biting an unidentified wire, which inexplicably launches the dozer into the air and flips it around a bit.

I could explain, or rather, an 8 year old could explain, why the essential laws of gravity would disprove this scene. But do I really want to? It's the 'Nut Job' sequel. You know what you're getting into.

Here are some actual lines of dialogue actually uttered in 'The Nut Job 2.'

"They threw our potty in the river."

"More like Dustalicios!"

"We're all gonna die!" (Mouse says it about 12 times whenever something negative happens)

"I'm Frankie, you're Precious! That makes us Frecious!"

"So many mailboxes!" (Surly crashes into mailbox a grand total of 5 times)

The only line I laughed at in this entire film was when someone said, "It's funny how quickly rock bottom sneaks up on you." Not because of the character's situation, just because I really identified with that.

1/10

10% (Rotten)

F-

I took my three grandchildren to this movie and was a little apprehensive because of a review I had read. However, we all thoroughly enjoyed the movie. It was a good kids movie but I enjoyed it as well. It was about friendship, working together and protecting your space. The graphics were great and in general a feel good movie about the little guy winning against great odds.

Saw this last night and I wish I could compromise and let them keep the money but give me two those two hours of my life back. To be fair, cartoons are always a hard sell on me, but this one really didn't do it. There was very little original in it, and I can count the number of laughs it got out of me I three fingers. And my God, the villains... "What can we do to make them even more dislikeable? Wait, I know! We'll make them fat! Because fat people are horrible!". I miss movies like the incredibles and monsters inc.

I thought the second one was going to be worse than the first one. But when I saw it in theaters, I was shocked. I was surprisingly impressed! The second one is 100% better than the first one. The directors did a lot of improvement on the second one, the animation is great, characters are likable, story is better and it was entertaining. I think this movie is worth to watch and people should forget about the first one. This might be the first time that the sequel is better than the first movie. I did a movie review on The Nut Job 2 on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Fdl_pi2_E) I am proud of the directors for making the second one better, the animators did a great job with the animation and I can't wait for a third one. Families should go see this movie, trust me, you will enjoy it.

Boring, unlikable characters (I really only liked the dogs), full of cheap and tiring clichés. I love kids movies, and I loved the first movie so much... This was a disappointment. Feels to forced.

I recently went to see this movie I had terrible expectations due to the fact that I hated the original movie however I was delighted by this one it had what the other missed some class a sense of humor and just fun you seriously cant skip on this one you will miss a hug4e treat if you do just plane old fashioned fun

I know I'm a little late to this but why did the Nut Job need a sequel?, It's just pointless unless they are thinking of continuing the plot from the first movie then It that's okay, buuuuut nope they just have to go with save their home from an evil greedy mayor...

Okay let me just start off by saying that I wasn't looking forward to this movie, because I hated the first movie so much that's It one of the worst animated films I have ever seen, so I was ready to slam the sequel!.

BUT! for some reason It wasn't as bad as the first movie, the filmmakers improved the mistakes from the first movie, like removing Grayson (Voiced by Brendan Frasier), making the characters less hateful and more likable, but It's still not that good..

First off the plot, It's just your average plot with a group of animals have to save their Park after the Nut Shop explodes from the evil Mayor Muldoon (Voiced by Bobby Moynihan) who wants to replace with a amusement park, then there's a subplot that evolves precious (Voiced by Maya Rudolph) getting captured by the Mayor's daughter and meets another dog Frankie (Voiced by Bobby Cannavale) who he falls In love with, It just goes by the numbers that It become so bland and so predicable, I never really cared all that much about what going on because I knew what was going to happen, not the mention the movie wasn't all that funny but the climax was a little interesting and fun, but that's not saying much.

The animation has improved from the last movie seeing that was one of the few things I liked about the first movie, It does has some good character animation, visually looks colorful, It has energy and It's quite smooth, so I do like the animation in this movie but at the same time It's rather average looking, there's nothing new to It, but It's good at least.

The characters are more likable then the first movie, especially Surly who I do like but he's now just a wise cracker that makes jokes which some can go on longer then It should of, Andie Is okay unlike the first movie where I liked her the most, Buddy Is still good but only one problem Is why doesn't he speak?, near the firs Movie he spoke only one line and now he says nothing?, Is that all he says?, I will never know, the other characters are basically just themselves and don't do much, the new characters are basically the same except for Mr. Feng (Voiced by Jackie Chan) and the Mayor who actually are somewhat amusing and sometimes funny, but that's 'bout it.

So that's my review of the Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature, It's just meh..., predictable plot, average but good animation and just okay characters, It's better then the first movie but that's not saying much, children will like It and grown ups will think It's fine, but It's not that good.

I'll give the Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature a 4/10.

This film tells the story of a bunch of animals in a park, whose home is being destroyed by the mayor's decision to build a theme park on the park.

The story is quite fun, and the animals are cute. Jackie Chan's character is funny as the leader of Chinatown mice. It will keep children entertained.

Felt it was a lot better than it's box office gross is stating

The very weak subtitle gives you an idea of how stupid the plot was going to be. The story was very week for an animated feature. I always expect better stories when it comes to children's based animation, but somehow the story did not click. Too clunky and overstuffed making it too unclear to hit the mark.

The animation was good, however. Loved the character design, especially the lead squirrel, Surly. In fact, all the characters looked cool,and the motion of the picture was great. The movie would have done better if they turned off the sound (or just the the unfunny dialog) so we can just watched the characters move around. The good animation had a lot to do with the fact that they were adjusting everything for the 3D purchasers, which is fine. It's a perfect 3D movie.

Plus I liked the end credits with outtakes from Jackie Chan, who had a small role in the film. If you are a Chan fan it will make you smile.

Overall, bad story to great animation. I've seen the vise versa. It's usually story over animation., which would most likely make for a better picture, overall.

http://cinemagardens.com

I saw the sequel to "The Nut Job" right after finishing the first one, making it a double feature picture night. I wasn't impressed with the original, but wasn't disappointed either as I enjoyed it with no major expectations going in. The same thing happened after watching "The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature".

"The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature" follows the events of the first movie, centering once again on Will Arnett's squirrelly character, Surly. This time the gang's mission is to stop the Mayor from bulldozing the park and replacing it with an amusement park. A thing that happens too often in the real world, green zones getting paved and constructions getting build on top of them.

The human characters were all horrible people and, if I didn't yet find myself rooting for the animals before, I certainly did after seeing the terrible intentions of the humans. On the other hand, the street mice were a terrific addition to the movie, with the leader voiced by Jackie Chan turning them into a deadly martial arts gang. One of my favorite characters from the first movie was Buddy, the mute rat partner of Surly, who unfortunately, I think, didn't get enough screentime in the sequel.

"The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature" didn't succeed at the box-office and the released date was pushed multiple times, but it's still an uplifting animation that will leave kids and adults lighthearted.

The Nut Job 2 starts out O.K. you think you are watching a normal animated movie with your kids, but it escalated quickly to excessive violence and property destruction. Revolting Jokes about eating puke.

Summery The nut shop explodes, An evil politician destroys the park. There is no progression of force just angry violence. The animals attack people who did not knowingly do them any harm. The animals burn the place to the ground. Over time the people rebuild the park. Do not let your kids watch this.

It plays more like a Marxist propaganda movie them a kids movie.

Less boring than the previous one, or I'm more buttery, I loved the participation of Castanha do Pará (named Nozes do Brasil, my favorite chestnut), but not enough to like the animation, boring, stubborn, lazy, rogue, scammer and self-interested, at least it is also determined...

Surly's takeover of the shop has given the nut-loving community an unlimited buffet. Andie refuses to join as she struggles to preach a hard working ethics. When the shop blows up, Surly pledges to find the group another easy food source. Meanwhile, Mayor Muldoon intends to bulldoze the idyllic Liberty Park and turn it into amusement park Liberty Land.

This one continues the barely functional animated franchise. It's a repetitive series of action scenes and more action. The writing isn't that funny. An amusement park is not that threatening as far as paving over paradise. It's more about bring in a colorful set to have fun chasing through. This is better than others like the Chipmunks but it's nowhere near the Minions.

The Nut Job 2 is wonderful! With some movies, the sequel is never as good as the original, but with this movie, they are both awesome films. There is never a boring part or unnecessary scene. It keeps you wanting more and gets you really attached about the characters' lives. The background music really helps keep the story going and makes the chase scenes more suspenseful since there are no silent moments.

In the film, an accident happens and all the animals who are eating at the nut shop are forced to move back to the park. Unfortunately, Mayor Muldoon (Bobby Moynihan) has some nefarious plans to destroy the park. So, Surly (Will Arnett) and his friends have to find a way to work together to save the park.

One of the things I care for in both of The Nut Job films is the animation. I love how you can see every single hair on all the animals and how each one is different. Another thing that I love about this film is the music. That, you can thank Heitor Pereira for. The music goes with the lines and scenes so well, that it truly enhances the story. My favorite character is Buddy because, even though he never talks, he is always there for Surly and it's funny to see Buddy's expressions that make it seem as if he's talking. I also really like the backstory showing Surly and Buddy's friendship. Another thing I really like is Mr. Feng's (Jackie Chan) tail because it makes him more intimidating, which adds to his character. My favorite scene is when Andie (Katherine Heigl) starts singing about how the park is their home and they make a joke about how "no one can break into a spontaneous song." Go watch it and you'll see!

The two messages in this film are to work together, which this movie is all about, and that nothing comes easy. This message comes into place when the animals have to move back to the park and scrounge for food. I rate this film 5 out of 5 stars because of the extraordinary animation, plot and music. I recommend this film for ages 5 to 14 and parents and older siblings will enjoy it too.

Reviewed by Dariana A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more reviews by youth, visit kidsfirst dot org.

This is better than that crap movie the nut job but it is still disappointing, the animation is still good characters are now likeable. But some things are unresolved

It is strange that Nut Job 2's largest problems pile up so high that they inadvertently become its biggest asset? The movie is clunky, thematically dubious and stiflingly unfunny but it comes at you at such a constant pace that its hour and a half run time feels like a Band-Aid is being unceremoniously ripped off. It's a bad flick, that's for sure, but considering the taste of The Emoji Movie is still corroding in my mouth, The Nut Job 2 does feel like a bit of a palette cleanser.

The film follows our posse of park dwelling critters just after their success in the first film made them the sole owners of a corner nut shop. After a sudden explosion leaves them without a food supply, Surly Squirrel (Arnett) the abrasive leader of the group tries other get-fat-quick schemes to avoid going back to scrounging for nuts in the park. Scrounging however may not be an option either. While Surly tries and fails to gather food for the group, the city Mayor (Moynihan) hatches plans for a new development at the park, taking away what little the animals have left.

Nutty by Nature doesn't solve the myriad of problems from the first movie and instead makes them worse. Surly is still a selfish, proud, small-minded, ungrateful lead that never really learns anything substantial or gets his just desserts (aside from pratfalling on a couple of mailboxes). The way he goes about solving problems and honoring his posse's undying loyalty feels almost Angry Bird (2016) level in the way it inverts positive messaging and insults its audience.

The largest victim of Surly's machinations is fellow squirrel Andie (Heigl), whose maxims of "Hard work always pays off," and "There are no shortcuts," comes across as a nagging mother telling you to eat your vegetables. Surly proves not just dismissive but openly hostile to her concerns and she never gets an "I told you so moment" to offset his vitriol. Rather the movie sidesteps Andie and anyone with an actual worthwhile point to concentrate on zany hijinks and the dubious motives of our supposed heroes and villains.

For what it's worth the villains of this mess are objectively worse than its heroes. The Mayor is greedier and infinitely more self-serving than Surly is. He's also so broadly drawn and obnoxious, audiences liable to think the character was created by a six-year-old tasked with making a new Captain Planet (1990-1996) villain. Then there's the Mayor's petulant daughter (Moner) who is basically Darla from Finding Nemo (2003) with a fetish for animal cruelty. At one point a character says, "So this is what they mean when they say 'there were warning signs'." It's funny because it's true.

There are other small smidgens of this movie worth a chuckle, including the late addition of Jackie Chan to the cast, but there's nothing really substantial enough to warrant a watch. If you're really so inclined to watch this movie with your kids, try going out to the park instead. Your kids will probably get the same uncomfortable feeling of adrenaline and nausea from spinning in circles real fast. Just don't lap up the remains afterwards.

It's like this movie tried to be funny and instead it had to be disgusting in order to try to be funny. They tried to throw jokes out there to make me laugh, but I didn't. I'd rather stick with the first film. The first film is better in my opinion.