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The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 91 min · English
Echo score 33
JustWatch #29,393 1
Directed by
Callan Brunker
Starring
Sebastian Maniscalco, Isabela Moner, Will Arnett, Jackie Chan, Maya Rudolph, Gabriel Iglesias
Budget
$40M

When Liberty Park faces demolition to make way for a new amusement park, Surly and his animal companions must unite to thwart the corrupt mayor's scheme. They team up with Mr. Feng, a mysterious kung-fu expert harboring his own secrets, and embark on a wild adventure. The unlikely heroes must overcome obstacles and work together to protect their home and prove that anyone can be a champion.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (6)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature (2017)

Where can you watch The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Philo, Starz and Xumo Play: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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6 main characters · contains spoilers

The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Surly Squirrel

    played by Sebastian Maniscalco

    Surly is a charismatic but initially self-centered squirrel who enjoys his newfound fame. Over the course of the film, he learns the value of community and teamwork, transitioning from a cynical survivor to a pivotal leader. His character arc highlights themes of personal growth and responsibility.

    • 🦚 Leader
    • 🐿️ Squirrel
    • 🎉 Hero
  • Andie

    played by Isabela Moner

    Andie is a pragmatic and resourceful character who challenges Surly’s laid-back lifestyle. Her wisdom in foraging and emphasis on independence for survival push the group towards growth. She represents a voice of reason among the chaos, illustrating strong leadership qualities.

    • 🌟 Pragmatic
    • 👩‍🌾 Survivor
    • 👩‍⚕️ Healer
  • Mayor Percival J. Muldoon

    Muldoon embodies greed and corruption as he seeks to transform Liberty Park into an amusement park. His malicious intentions and underhanded tactics pose significant threats to the community. His character serves as a foil to the animals' fight for their home, highlighting the impact of power dynamics.

    • 🏙️ Villain
    • 💰 Greed
    • 🏗️ Schemer
  • Buddy

    played by Gabriel Iglesias

    Buddy is Surly's loyal companion who supports him throughout their adventures. His innocence and loyalty make him a heartwarming character, and he ultimately plays a crucial role during moments of crisis. His character adds depth by contrasting Surly’s brashness with his gentle nature.

    • 🐶 Loyal
    • 🐾 Companion
    • ❤️ Supportive
  • Precious

    Precious is a nurturing character who provides emotional support to Surly and Buddy. Her caring nature and resilience are pivotal throughout their journey to reclaim Liberty Park. She symbolizes the bond of friendship and unconditional love among the animal community.

    • 🐕 Supportive
    • 💖 Caring
    • 👩‍❤️ Nurturer
  • Mr. Feng

    Mr. Feng is a wise leader of the white mice colony, showcasing both strength and intelligence. His character plays a vital role in uniting the animals against Muldoon’s schemes. He represents the idea that even the smallest creatures can make a significant impact.

    • 🐭 Wise
    • 💪 Leader
    • 💡 Strategic

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:48

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Setting

Where and When Does The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature Take Place?

The setting of The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The events take place in a contemporary setting that reflects ongoing themes of environmental conservation and community struggles against corporate greed. The story unfolds around the preparations for the opening of Libertyland, highlighting the urgent need for protecting natural spaces in modern society.

Location

Liberty Park, Nibbler’s Nut Shop, Libertyland

Liberty Park is a lively and beloved community space where various animals coexist and thrive. Nibbler’s Nut Shop, once Maury's, serves as a hub of resources for the wildlife, while Libertyland is a proposed garish amusement park that represents the threats facing the animals' home. The contrasting settings reveal both the splendor of nature and the challenges of urban development.

  • 🌳 Park
  • 🏬 Shop
  • 🎢 Amusement

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:48

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3 major themes

The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Unity

    Unity is a prominent theme as the animals band together to reclaim Liberty Park from the corrupt mayor's plans. The story illustrates that cooperation, despite differences, leads to strength and resistance against adversity. Surly’s journey towards valuing teamwork exemplifies this theme, as their collective actions become crucial for survival and community revitalization.

  • Environment

    The environment is central to the narrative, focusing on the importance of preserving natural habitats against urban encroachment. The characters must navigate the repercussions of the mayor’s destructive ambitions, showcasing the fragility of their home. Their efforts to restore Liberty Park emphasize a deeper awareness of ecological responsibility.

  • Resilience

    Resilience is seen in the characters’ ability to adapt and recover from setbacks after the destruction of the nut shop. Surly and his friends face numerous obstacles, yet their perseverance leads to a reclamation of their community. Through their struggles, the characters demonstrate that with determination, they can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:48

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Character & theme questions

The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is The Nut Job 2 set?

The movie is set in Liberty Park, a vibrant community space where various animals live and coexist. The park features Nibbler's Nut Shop as a central hub for the wildlife, and faces a threat from the proposed Libertyland amusement park that the corrupt mayor wants to build on the site.

  • liberty park
  • nibbler's nut shop
  • setting
  • location
Q2

When does The Nut Job 2 take place?

The movie takes place in a contemporary, modern-day setting. The story unfolds around the preparations for opening Libertyland, reflecting current themes of environmental conservation and community resistance against corporate development.

  • contemporary
  • modern
  • time period
  • year
Q3

What are the main themes in The Nut Job 2?

The film centers on three key themes: Unity, as the animals must work together despite their differences to save their home; Environment, highlighting the importance of preserving natural habitats against urban development; and Resilience, showing the characters' ability to recover from setbacks and overcome seemingly impossible challenges.

  • unity
  • environment
  • resilience
  • themes
  • meaning
Q4

Who is Surly in The Nut Job 2?

Surly is the charismatic squirrel protagonist who initially operates as a self-centered loner. Over the course of the film, he learns the value of community and teamwork, transforming from a cynical survivor into a decisive leader who unites the animal residents to fight for Liberty Park.

  • surly
  • squirrel
  • protagonist
  • main character
Q5

Who is the villain in The Nut Job 2?

Mayor Percival J. Muldoon serves as the film's antagonist, representing greed and corruption. He schemes to demolish Liberty Park and replace it with the garish Libertyland amusement park for personal profit. His underhanded tactics pose a significant threat to the animal community.

  • mayor muldoon
  • villain
  • antagonist
  • corrupt
Q6

What is Andie's role in The Nut Job 2?

Andie is a pragmatic and resourceful squirrel who challenges Surly's carefree attitude. She serves as a voice of reason within the group, emphasizing the importance of preparation and independence for survival. Her leadership qualities help guide the community during the crisis.

  • andie
  • character
  • leader
  • supporting character
Q7

Who is Mr. Feng in The Nut Job 2?

Mr. Feng is the wise leader of the white mice colony who joins forces with Surly and the other animals. Despite his small size, he demonstrates both strength and intelligence, playing a vital role in uniting the various animal groups against Mayor Muldoon's destructive plans.

  • mr feng
  • mice colony
  • leader
  • ally
Q8

What does The Nut Job 2 say about environmental conservation?

The movie emphasizes the importance of preserving natural habitats against urban encroachment. The animals' fight to save Liberty Park showcases the fragility of natural spaces in modern society and highlights ecological responsibility. Their eventual success sends an uplifting message about community activism.

  • environment
  • conservation
  • nature
  • ecology
  • message
Q9

How does The Nut Job 2 portray teamwork?

The film illustrates that cooperation among different animals, despite their differences, leads to strength and resistance against adversity. Surly's personal growth demonstrates this theme, as he evolves from a lone survivor to a leader who values collective action over individualism.

  • teamwork
  • cooperation
  • unity
  • community
Q10

Who is Buddy in The Nut Job 2?

Buddy is Surly's loyal and innocent companion who provides steadfast support throughout their adventures. His gentle nature contrasts with Surly's brash personality, and he plays a crucial role during moments of crisis, adding heart and warmth to the story.

  • buddy
  • character
  • loyal companion
  • friend
Q11

What is Libertyland in The Nut Job 2?

Libertyland is the proposed amusement park that Mayor Muldoon wants to build on the site of Liberty Park. It represents the corporate threat to the animals' natural habitat and serves as the central conflict driving the story's plot.

  • libertyland
  • amusement park
  • threat
  • development

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Animated Underdog Adventures like The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature

Whimsical tales where a quirky crew bands together to face a larger-than-life threat. Discover movies similar to The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature. If you enjoyed the story of Surly and his friends saving their park, you'll love these other animated films featuring quirky animal crews or unlikely heroes embarking on wild, feel-good missions to defend their community.

  • comedic
  • adventurous
  • united
  • determined
  • whimsical
  • triumphant
  • Tone: light, whimsical, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a clear and straightforward path: a peaceful community is threatened by a greedy or powerful villain, prompting a group of underdog heroes to form an alliance. Through a series of comedic mishaps and daring plans, they work together, often discovering their own inner strength, to defeat the foe and restore harmony, leading to a celebratory happy ending.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific blend of lighthearted comedy, energetic pacing, and a central theme of community triumph. They are grouped together because they deliver a consistently fun, optimistic, and action-packed experience suitable for all ages, where the focus is on teamwork and heart rather than deep conflict or darkness.

Fun Sabotage Mission Movies like The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature

Zany capers and chaotic plots where camaraderie defeats corruption. Find more films like The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature. These movies feature similar lighthearted heist or sabotage plots where a group of characters, often animals or unlikely allies, devise a wild plan to outsmart a corrupt figure, all wrapped in a comedic and fast-paced package.

  • comedic
  • energetic
  • united
  • clever
  • zany
  • triumphant
  • Tone: light, comedic, zany
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The story is driven by a central mission to disrupt the plans of a corrupt authority figure. The narrative structure involves assembling a team, planning a comically elaborate scheme, facing a series of chaotic and humorous obstacles during execution, and ultimately succeeding through teamwork and cleverness. The conflict is more about outsmarting than overpowering, resulting in a feel-good resolution.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared core structure of a mission-based plot, executed with a light tone and fast pacing. The similarity lies in the experience of watching a fun, elaborate plan unfold with comedic chaos, where the journey and the team's dynamics are as important as the outcome itself.

Every angle

The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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