“The Nut Job” 3D Movie Review

Disclaimer: I was given 2 tickets to attend the screening of “The Nut Job”; however, I was not influenced by the promotional materials. All opinions and insights are my own.

When I received the screening invitation for “The Nut Job”, it came with this description, “In animated 3D, THE NUT JOB is an action-packed comedy that follows Surly (voiced by Will Arnett), a mischievous squirrel, who must plan a heist to get into his town’s biggest nut shop in order to help his pals in the park gather food to survive the winter. Together with his sidekick, Buddy, he will assemble a ragtag crew to help him get inside – and take them on a fun-filled adventure that they’ll never forget.”

I know some people will call me a prude but I was a little concerned about a children’s movie where the theme was stealing. I worry about the questions and lessons that a child might learn; such as, are they going to get the idea that sometimes it’s okay to steal things?

After seeing the movie, I wouldn’t change anything about it except maybe the way it is being promoted. I wouldn’t have promoted it as a heist. They wouldn’t even have to change the title because several of the characters are real “nut jobs”, which makes for a cute and funny film.

The storyline for the movie is about a group of animals that live in a park. They are trying to store up enough nuts for the winter but are falling short of their goal.

Surly, a squirrel, is a self-sufficient rogue. He would rather look out for himself and not depend or worry about anybody else. Regardless of his want for independence he has a faithful and silent friend, Buddy (a rat). Buddy is always there for Surly, no matter what.

Grayson, also a squirrel, is known as the park’s hero. It’s not clear how he received that title. Mostly he is a puffed up, neurotic fellow that talks big but is scared of his own shadow.

Andie is a female squirrel and, in my opinion, the actual heroine of the story. Andie tries to stand up for Surly when he gets banished from the park. She believes that there is good in everyone.

Because of an accident, caused by Surly, the park has lost what little it had stored away for the winter. Surly is sent away and Andie and Grayson are given the task of finding a food supply so the park animals don’t starve.

While making his way through the city, Surly runs across a Nut Shop. The Nut Shop is actually a front for the real bad guys of the movie; some mobster type guys. They are planning to rob the bank that is right next door to the Nut Shop they purchased. The men have no use for the nuts so the fact that Surly and the animals of the park need them does not bother my moral compass (maybe I’m simply justifying).

Surly plans on keeping all the nuts for himself and Buddy but Andie messes up that plan. She happens to run into Surly and discovers his secret. She makes a deal with Surly to split the nuts and now the real fun begins.

A rag-tag group of animals come together to help get the nuts from the shop. They are not the most organized group of animals which makes for lots of laughs. There is suspense, a double-cross, a police chase and did I mention laughs?…lots of laughs.

And be sure not to leave before the credits. You might want to get on your feet and dance…definitely worth the wait.

For more information and some fun games check out their webpage The Nut Job