THE NUT JOB (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

The Nut Job—one of the greatest animated films of 2014. It’s funny and fun, a good choice for the child/adult combo looking for good entertainment that suits both age groups. Brendan Fraser, Jeff Dunham, and Katherine Heigl add their talented voices to this film. The movie’s strength lies in an incredible script written by Lorne Cameron and Peter Lepeniotis. Don’t miss the end credits. There’s a particularly entertaining adaptation of Psy’s “Gangnam Style” that plays during those credits.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Surly, the squirrel (voice by Will Arnett), steals nuts from a nut cart and then the camera changes focus to the local park where Raccoon (voice by Liam Neeson) throws food down a tree hole as it is handed to him by animals in the park. Through a series of mishaps the tree burns down leaving the animals without sufficient food for the winter and the story is on as good guys and ‘bad’ guys show their true colors.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Peter Lepeniotis for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Hangjoo Ahn, William Bradley, and Hoe Jin Ha for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Surly (voice of Will Arnett), Grayson (voice of Brendan Fraser), Raccoon (voice of Liam Neeson), Andie (voice of Katherine Heigl), King (voice of Stephen Lang), Precious (voice of Maya Rudolph), Mole (voice of Jeff Dunham), Jimmy (voice of Gabriel Iglesias), and Lana (voice of Sarah Gadon).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s playful entertainment that doesn’t lose its timing from its opening scene to its last scene and into its closing credits.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers