Animated characters appear in the movie "The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature." The Catholic News Service classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. (CNS/Open Road Films)

By Catholic News Service

Frenzied but bland animated children’s comedy pits a corrupt mayor (voice of Bobby Moynihan) against the band of animals (their leaders voiced by Will Arnett and Katherine Heigl) who inhabit his city’s main park as he schemes to bulldoze the space, and turn it into a profit-making amusement concern.

Respectable themes about protecting the environment and the value of friendship and teamwork make director and co-writer Cal Brunker’s sequel to the 2014 original acceptable for a wide swath of age groups. But the outsized special effects, seen from the small creatures’ perspective, together with the many menacing situations to which the plot gives rise, may be too scary for little kids.

Cartoon violence, including explosions, recurring peril, mild gross-out and scatological jokes. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

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