The Nut Job (2014)

Modern technological advancements have reached the point where small animation studios can bring feature animation films to the big screen with good production values. "The Nut Job" certainly can't be put in the same category as Pixar or Dreamworks, but it has charm in its own way."The Nut Job" is a heist movie about a squirrel who plans to raid a nut shop after being kicked out of the park. Featuring a star studded cast with the likes of Will Arnett as the main character Surly, Brendan Fraser, Liam Neeson, Katherine Heigl or the stern Stephen Lang, the nutty film brings out a wonderful adventure of friendship and betrayal with plenty of good qualities for the kids to learn and understand.It's not the funniest movie, but it manages to touch one's heart and make them become sympathetic for the honesty of the characters, especially the mute rat Buddy. "The Nut Job" gives out a good example to children: help others and don't always chase personal gain. I recommend this animated movie for children as it may teach them a valuable lesson in life.

I was tricked into watching this movie particularly due to the decent animation. My cousin and I got all excited when my father took us to see this movie thinking it was gonna be good. Boy, we were wrong! The majority of the voice actors (especially Liam Neeson) sound like they hate the film, the jokes suck and are inappropriate, and the frequent use of the song Gangnam Style (which I hate) is annoying as crap. The only thing I liked about this film was the dog (don't remember her name) who thought her tail had a mind of its own when she wagged it. That's all. I totally regret having my parents watch this movie. This is one out of several bad films I've seen with my family that we never speak of.I'll stick with Alvin and The Chipmunks no matter how bad people say it is because I actually enjoyed it.

OK, before I start listing why the movie really doesn't work, I'll give it the only credit it really deserves: the animation is good and it's really the highlight of the movie.And now that we got that out of the way, let's start listing the cons, and what better way to start off with no one other than the main douchebag himself, Surly. Oh dear god, Surly. Whom I think might be one of the most hateful and most douchebag characters that we are supposed to find likable in the medium of animation since Buck from Chicken Little. I mean by god, he is the protagonist. THE PROTAGONIST. You would think some likability would be found in what is supposed to be our protagonist, but no. Surly blows up the tree where they had all the food, but it's OK because Racoon is the bad guy? Oh and what about the fact that he basically abuses his supportive and caring friend but it's OK because they turn friends at the end and go dance to Gangnam Style?The plot of the movie is literally "A Bug's Life + Over the Hedge". You've got your douchebag protagonist (Over the Hedge) that participates in a colony (A Bug's Life) ruled by this threatening villain who big shock turns out to be the bad guy (A Bug's Life)... I think I made my point clear. Also the tone of the movie is really mean-spirited. All of the characters are either idiots, comic reliefs, or jerks. You know except for that female squirrel whose name I have forgot like the rest of the characters.And if your story isn't written very well, it only figures the humor might suffer. And it suffers indeed, completed with all your favorite fart jokes, burp jokes, pee jokes and with comic reliefs of which you will forget about soon as you leave the theater! How wonderful, right? RIGHT?In conclusion, this movie is your poor man's Over the Hedge. And even Over the Hedge wasn't that great to begin with (sorry OtH fans) so you basically have this shitty, uninspired and most of all mean- spirited movie. If the sequel is any good (which I HIGHLY doubt) I might go see it online but for now, I'm done with the Nut Job franchise.

In this trash that could only have hypnotized its voice cast in to delivering their lines, a banished squirrel stumbles onto a nut shop run by thugs, one of which bares too much resemblance to Judge Doom, who are planning to rob a bank nearby. Say what you will about that premise, but if you think Episode 1 of Star Wars is the worst film to feature Liam Neeson, I dare you to say this is any better. In return from him not caring, this film ruins Brendan Fraser's career when Furry Vengeance doesn't get enough criticism. Despite surprises, clear characters, and several funny moments from the thugs, this movie offers no effort in story line or neatness in animation. There are clichés, annoying characters, stale acting, and one of the worst movie soundtracks of all time. Sealing this film's legendary status as one of the worst ever is the use of Gangnam Style, which ruins the song's reputation. A true example of how animation isn't always good.