The Nut Job (2014)
Release Date:
2014
Movie Rating:
PG-13
Runtime:
1h 25m
Synopsis:
In The Nut Job, Surly, a mischievous squirrel, finds himself banished from his park community after a food heist goes wrong. Desperate to survive the winter, he stumbles upon a nut store that could be the answer to his problems. Surly teams up with his rat friend, Buddy, to plan a heist to steal the nuts. Meanwhile, the park animals, led by the responsible squirrel Andie and the park leader Raccoon, are also in search of food for the winter. As Surly and Buddy work on their plan, they face challenges from both the humans running the nut store and their fellow park animals. The movie follows their adventurous quest to secure the nuts and the unexpected twists that come their way.
The Nut Job, released in 2014, is an animated comedy-adventure film aimed at kids. The movie is generally light-hearted and filled with slapstick humor, making it appealing to younger audiences. While some parents appreciate its entertaining and colorful animation, others feel the humor is somewhat shallow and the storyline predictable.
Why Kids Should Watch The Nut Job
The Nut Job offers a fun and engaging experience for children with its vibrant animation and comedic antics.
- Promotes teamwork and friendship as central themes.
- Features a clever and resourceful protagonist, Surly the squirrel, who learns valuable lessons.
- Visually appealing with bright colors and dynamic action sequences.
- Includes humorous moments that are likely to make kids laugh.
Why Kids Shouldn’t Watch The Nut Job
Some parents express concerns about the film's reliance on slapstick violence and lack of depth in its messaging.
- Contains scenes of mild peril that might be intense for very young children.
- Some behaviors, like stealing, are depicted without immediate consequences.
- The plot may be confusing for children due to its fast pace and numerous characters.
Verdict: Mixed Messages
Verdict: Mixed Messages
Parents are divided—some love it, others raise concerns about its shallow humor and lack of depth.
What Parents Should Know About The Nut Job
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does this movie model positive behavior that my child can understand and repeat? | Surly learns the importance of teamwork and helping others, which is a positive message for kids. |
| Does this movie include emotional moments my child might find confusing or intense? | There are scenes where characters are in danger, which might require parental guidance. |
| Does this movie show consequences for unkind or unsafe behavior? | While some negative behaviors are shown, the movie eventually highlights the importance of making amends. |
| Does this movie reinforce helpful social skills like sharing, apologizing, or teamwork? | The storyline emphasizes teamwork as the characters work together to achieve their goals. |
| Will my child come away with any clear moral or message? | The core takeaway is the value of cooperation and friendship, delivered through the characters' journey. |
The Overall Sentiment From Parental Feedback
The Nut Job is praised for its colorful animation and humorous moments, making it a fun watch for kids. However, some parents feel the film lacks depth and relies too heavily on slapstick humor. Engaging with children during or after the movie can help reinforce its positive messages about teamwork and friendship. For those seeking more depth, alternatives like "Zootopia" or "Finding Dory" might be more satisfying.
Official The Nut Job Trailer
The Nut Job, released in 2014, is an animated comedy-adventure film aimed at kids. The movie is generally light-hearted and filled with slapstick humor, making it appealing to younger audiences. While some parents appreciate its entertaining and colorful animation, others feel the humor is somewhat shallow and the storyline predictable.
Why Kids Should Watch The Nut Job
The Nut Job offers a fun and engaging experience for children with its vibrant animation and comedic antics.
- Promotes teamwork and friendship as central themes.
- Features a clever and resourceful protagonist, Surly the squirrel, who learns valuable lessons.
- Visually appealing with bright colors and dynamic action sequences.
- Includes humorous moments that are likely to make kids laugh.
Why Kids Shouldn’t Watch The Nut Job
Some parents express concerns about the film's reliance on slapstick violence and lack of depth in its messaging.
- Contains scenes of mild peril that might be intense for very young children.
- Some behaviors, like stealing, are depicted without immediate consequences.
- The plot may be confusing for children due to its fast pace and numerous characters.
Verdict: Mixed Messages
Verdict: Mixed Messages
Parents are divided—some love it, others raise concerns about its shallow humor and lack of depth.
What Parents Should Know About The Nut Job
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does this movie model positive behavior that my child can understand and repeat? | Surly learns the importance of teamwork and helping others, which is a positive message for kids. |
| Does this movie include emotional moments my child might find confusing or intense? | There are scenes where characters are in danger, which might require parental guidance. |
| Does this movie show consequences for unkind or unsafe behavior? | While some negative behaviors are shown, the movie eventually highlights the importance of making amends. |
| Does this movie reinforce helpful social skills like sharing, apologizing, or teamwork? | The storyline emphasizes teamwork as the characters work together to achieve their goals. |
| Will my child come away with any clear moral or message? | The core takeaway is the value of cooperation and friendship, delivered through the characters' journey. |
The Overall Sentiment From Parental Feedback
The Nut Job is praised for its colorful animation and humorous moments, making it a fun watch for kids. However, some parents feel the film lacks depth and relies too heavily on slapstick humor. Engaging with children during or after the movie can help reinforce its positive messages about teamwork and friendship. For those seeking more depth, alternatives like "Zootopia" or "Finding Dory" might be more satisfying.
Official The Nut Job Trailer
The Core Values Learned From The Nut Job
The Nut Job's most common core values include Teamwork, Determination, and Problem-solving. Throughout the movie, teamwork is highlighted as the park animals must come together to secure food for the winter. Surly, despite his initial reluctance, learns the importance of working with others, especially when he teams up with Buddy and Andie. Determination is evident as Surly and his friends face numerous obstacles, yet they persist in their quest to gather enough food.
This determination teaches kids the value of perseverance in the face of challenges. Problem-solving is another key value, as the characters must devise clever plans to outsmart both humans and fellow animals to achieve their goals. These examples show children how collaboration, persistence, and creative thinking can help overcome difficulties.
Other Core Values Explored: Friendship | Courage | Leadership | Trust | Resilience | Making good choices | Sharing | Helping others | Being a good neighbor | Taking responsibility. | Forgiveness | Generosity | Self-discovery | Growth mindset | Standing up for what's right
The 5 Biggest Lessons Learned From The Nut Job
Building Friendships: In The Nut Job, kids learn the importance of building friendships through Surly's journey. Initially a loner, Surly discovers that having friends like Buddy and Andie makes challenges easier to overcome. The movie shows how working together and supporting each other can lead to success, teaching children the value of forming strong bonds.
Doing What’s Right: The movie emphasizes doing what’s right as Surly learns to prioritize the needs of the community over his own desires. Despite his initial selfishness, he eventually makes choices that benefit everyone, highlighting the importance of making good decisions and taking responsibility for one's actions.
Embracing Differences: Children see the value of embracing differences as the diverse group of park animals comes together to achieve a common goal. Each character brings unique skills and perspectives, showing kids that diversity can be a strength when working towards a shared objective.
Finding Courage: Surly's journey is filled with moments that require courage, teaching kids that bravery is essential in facing challenges. Whether it's standing up to adversaries or taking risks for the greater good, the movie illustrates how courage can lead to positive outcomes.
Working as a Team: The Nut Job highlights the power of teamwork as Surly and the park animals collaborate to secure food for the winter. By combining their efforts and skills, they demonstrate to children that working as a team can help overcome obstacles and achieve goals that might be impossible alone.
Other Lessons Learned: Learning from Mistakes | Never Giving Up | Practicing Loyalty | Supporting Your Friends
Why Kids Love The Nut Job
The Nut Job is a whirlwind of fun and chaos, where kids are drawn into a world of mischievous squirrels and their hilarious antics. Surly, the cheeky squirrel, and his loyal rat sidekick, Buddy, embark on a nutty adventure filled with talking animals and silly sidekicks that keep the laughter rolling. The vibrant, colorful world of the park and the bustling city streets are the perfect backdrop for their wild escapades. Kids will be thrilled by the cool gadgets and secret missions as Surly and his friends plot their daring heist.
The movie is packed with slapstick comedy, pranks, and cartoon-style chaos that will have kids giggling at every turn. Chasing scenes and near misses add to the excitement, while the unexpected friendships and teamwork make the adventure even more engaging. With its mix of humor, action, and lovable characters, The Nut Job is a delightful romp that keeps kids entertained and eager for more.