The Nut Job - B-

Rated PG, 86 minutes

Charming "The Nut Job" is familiar, nutty fun

Surly the squirrel

The new animated film "The Nut Job" is, well, nutty, but in a good way. Energetically voiced and animated, the story is heartwarmingly predictable. Set in fictional Oakton, a mischievous purple squirrel named Surly (Will Arnett) is banished from the park to the city by Raccoon (Liam Neeson). With the help of his rat friend Buddy, Surly plans a nut-store heist of outrageous proportions, yet find themselves in a complicated adventure to help (or maybe not) the park. If "The Nut Job"  A co-Canadian-South Korean production, it's directed and co-written by Peter Lepeniotis and based on Lepeniotis' animated short "Surly Squirrel." "The Nut Job" is suitably wacky, over-the-top and utterly charming by a well-known cast who seem to have fun, particularly Arnett, Brendan Fraser (slightly annoying but that's the point, I think), Maya Rudolph (I loved her the best as a slobbering dog), Neeson and even Katherine Heigl, with her best film role in years, given she's not onscreen. The CG animation is crisp and colorful and does the job serviceably, even if it's not nearly on par with anything Disney/Pixar produces. The young set will get the most out of "The Nut Job," and they'll easily overlook the predictable, overly sentimental story, particularly its climax, but overall this is serviceable winter-time entertainment for the kiddoes and some nutty adults too.

Wes's Grade: B-