BLU-RAY REVIEW

Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature, The

Featured In Issue 221, November 2017

Picture5
Sound4
WSR Score3
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Universal Studios Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
55186694
(MPAA Rating):
PG
(Rating Reason):
Action and some rude humor.
(Retail Price):
$$34.98
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
91
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
(Disc Release Date):
11/14/2017
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
NA
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

In "The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature," Surly Squirrel (Arnett) and the gang are back, returning to Liberty Park after they are forced to leave their easy life at the nut store. Getting back to nature is the last thing Surly wants to do, but when a greedy mayor decides to destroy the park to build an amusement park, Surly and his ragtag critter friends must band together to save the place they call home. Filled with heart and animal hijinks, this family-friendly comedy introduces new fan-favorite characters including Mr. Feng (Chan), the adorable but deadly city mouse, and Frankie, the love-struck bulldog (Cannavale). (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Director/Co-Writer Cal Brunker and Producer/Co-Writer Bob Barlen, deleted scenes with introduction by Brunker (HD 01:31), the featurettes Animation Progression Reels (HD 02:47) and Concept Art Reel (HD 02:56), upfront previews, and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 1.85:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, upconverted to 2160p with greater resolution and luminance, was photographed digitally and originally in native 3D by Technicolor as exhibited theatrically. While a 3D version was not made available for this review, immediately, the picture appears three-dimensional with outstanding spatial depth. The color palette is nicely saturated with a wide range of nuanced hues. The colors really pop. Additionally, resolution is excellent, which enhances the engagement with the slapstick bedlam animation. Fine detail is exhibited throughout, from fur to fine textures. Contrast is excellent, with deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation. White renderings are terrific as well as other bright segments. This is a wonderfully rendered animated feature with engaging fine resolution. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is nicely vibrant and dynamic. Atmospherics are generally nuanced, but sound effects are robust. The orchestral score is pretty constant throughout. The sound is well recorded with a wide and deep soundstage that extends aggressively to the surrounds, providing effective envelopment. Deep bass enhances the action segments and provides good oomph. Dialogue is consistently intelligible but is flat and wanting in spatial delineation. This is a quite active soundtrack with lots of energy. (Gary Reber)