If there was ever an instance where I would have thought a studio would learn from their mistakes and completely drop a film’s sequel considering how bad the first movie was, it was this. However, I was wrong because “The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature”, sequel to the 2014 film “The Nut Job”, was released last Friday. Despite its talented cast, The Nut Job only grossed $25,700,000  on opening weekend while on a $42,800,000 budget. However, The Nut Job ended up grossing a total of $64,300,000 in North America and $120,900,000 worldwide, enough for the studio to produce a sequel.

       I remember seeing the first “Nut Job” movie in theaters, and I didn’t like it. I have re-watched the movie again a few ago, and I didn’t like it any better. Rotten Tomatoes, the most popular site for movie reviews, currently rates “The Nut Job” at a Rotten 10% out of 100. Sadly, “The Nut Job 2” seems to be suffering the same fate. “The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature”, sits at an 11% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. “The Nut Job 2” fell at the box office to the hit horror movie “Annabelle: Creation” and the popular war epic “Dunkirk”. “The Nut Job 2” also has one of the worst box office openings for an animated movie playing in over 4,000 theaters! The movie only grossed $8,600,000 on opening weekend, a 68% drop from the original’s $25,700,000 gross on opening weekend. Critics also butchered the movie calling it “nonsensical” and “dull.” The New York Times said: “Mr. Brunker (director), who wrote the script with five other people, fashions “Nut Job 2” as its own dull amusement park ride, where slapdash animation, a dismal story and a score by Heitor Pereira repeated ad infinitum makes for few thrills” (Editorial Board). Rotten Tomatoes also said: “The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature” may be a slight improvement over its predecessor, but its frantic animated antics still offer minimal entertainment to all but the least discriminating viewers.”

       This brings me to the topic of this article, the involvement of Jackie Chan. This actor known for his many action flicks including the “Rush Hour” movies as well as the “Karate Kid” remake seemed to be the saving grace for this film. After all, his return to acting was the most heavily advertised thing about this movie. Sadly, Jackie Chan’s first of two to attempts to return to the silver screen has been a failure, his other movie being “The Foreigner”. In my opinion, “The Foreigner” looks good; however, “The Foreigner” lacks star power, as Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan are the only well-known actors taking part in the project.  Not only have the low box office earnings and critical mauling of “The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature” damaged Chan’s career, but they may have also taken away his credibility to carry a film on his own, which may damage any type of success of “The Foreigner”. Best of luck to Mr. Chan.