Reviewed by Kevin Finnerty
“What’s so complicated about this place?” “ROAR..ROAR..ROAR” “It’s a zoo.” That’s how ex-journalist Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) discovers that his new dream home is on the property of a rundown, closed zoo in the family film We Bought a Zoo.
Since the loss of his wife Ben has been struggling to keep his family together which hasn’t been easy, especially for his 14-year-old son Dylan (Colin Ford) who’s been acting out so much at school he’s been kicked out. Desperate to try to start over and find some way to bring joy back into his children’s lives, Ben – after seeing his little daughter Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) smile while she feeds some chickens and be truly happy for the first time since her mother’s death – decides to do the unimaginable and buy the zoo.
No one including the head of the staff at the zoo, Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson), thinks Ben and his two kids are up to the task of rebuilding the zoo and getting it ready for opening in July. Dylan hates being so many miles from his old home and deeply resents his dad for their new living conditions, but begins to warm up when 15-year-old Lily (Elle Fanning) starts bringing him sandwiches after her shift at the zoo so she can get to know him better.
Going through his life savings like a shot and not knowing the first thing about animals, Ben depends greatly on Kelly to show him the ropes. At the same time, he begins to impress her and the rest of the staff by his determination, will, and strength to make re-opening the zoo an “Authentic American Experience” for his children and himself.
Based on a true story, We Bought a Zoo is a funny, uplifting, inspirational film with a stand-out performance by Matt Damon. He truly shines in his performance of a loving, struggling father who only wants his family to have the chance to begin again and be happy. The scenes between Damon and Ford as a fighting, grieving father and son are heartfelt and true. So are the cute, sweet and tender scenes between Damon and Jones as his daughter who wants him to tell stories about him and mommy. Damon also captures perfectly just how out of his element Mee is in trying to run a zoo and handle the wild animals. His stand-off with the giant grizzly out of his pen and without a gun is both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
Thomas Haden Church delivers a scene-stealing performance as Damon’s loving, supportive brother who wants him to start over – just not as a zoo owner. And Scarlett Johansson is solid as the seasoned but jaded zookeeper who finds herself starting to believe in Mee and getting caught up in the possibility of restoring the zoo to its former glory.
We Bought a Zoo is beautifully directed by Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous) with stunning cinematography, perfect pacing, and a wonderful soundtrack that aids in bringing scenes to their emotional climax.
Sweet, sentimental and charming, We Bought a Zoo is a family-friendly film that will have the audience laughing and rooting for the Mee family until the credits roll. Make sure to take a trip to the theater this Christmas and spend some time with the animals.
GRADE: B+
We Bought a Zoo hits theaters on December 23, 2011 and is rated PG for language and some thematic elements.
More on We Bought a Zoo:
—Photo gallery
—Trailer, news and cast list
