So, we saw our first movie of 2014, "The Nut Job," an animated family movie. (Rated PG for mild action and rude humor.) Not much choice, we wanted to take the kids, and this was the only kids' movie playing (other than "Frozen," which we've already seen.)
The plot: Surly, a squirrel exiled from the park, tries to break into a nut store. He has to team up with other park animals, who are trying to bring back enough for the whole park to survive the winter. In a side plot, the nut store is owned by bank robbers who are using it as cover for digging a tunnel to rob the bank across the street. Surly learns a valuable lesson about teamwork and helping others for the greater good of everyone. The park animals learn not to blindly trust leaders who might not have their best interests at heart (or something like that.) Voice talents include Will Arnett, Brendan Fraser, Liam Neeson, Katherine Heigl and Maya Rudolph.
The verdict: The animation is great, but the humor is hit and miss, with the funniest bits being in the previews. Both kids enjoyed it well enough, though neither was absorbed by it, but the only reason any adult would see this is if they're bringing kids. This is no "Toy Story" or "Incredibles," it's more on a level with "Open Season." Unless you're desperate to take your kids to see something new, I'd say wait for this to hit basic cable or Netflix, and just go see "Frozen" again.
