We Bought A Zoo

Hollywood loves a true life story. And the type they like best are the ones where a person changes their lives completely to start a new one.

This film is based on a true story which took place in England but has been transposed to America. It is a factor which does not make much a of a difference to the story. Cameron Crowe is a director which I've had mixed reactions. The only one of his films I've really liked is 'Almost Famous'. The others have been either ordinary or terrible (and you can probably guess which one that was). Here he seems to be aiming more for the family friendly, mainstream audience and he succeeds. You have a story with lots of animals for the kids to enjoy then you have a heartwarming story for the adults. It is full of cliches and is very predictable but it is full of charm that you can't help but like it. Benjamin Mee is the type of character that has a single-minded determination to succeed in the face of overwhelming odds that you can't help but like him. As with most of these types of stories, I can't help but think of money and where it comes from. I would like to have known how much the house that Benjamin bought cost considering there was a zoo attached. Then there is the costs of running the zoo which does not seem to worry him. There is a point in the film where he gets help which seems a little too convenient. But as long as you don't think too carefully it should not bother you. I did think that Crowe played the 'dead wife' card a bit too much. I admit it got emotional but got too much after a while.

Matt Damon is brilliant at being so versatile an actor. He can play larger than life, hero like characters in the Jason Bourne series, then play everyday types in films such as this. It is also nice to see him playing a mature fatherly role as well. I have mixed feelings about Scarlett Johansson. There are a few moments in the film where I thought she was giving a terrible performance but other times she was quite good. Perhaps she was not well cast. Thomas Hayden Church gives another brilliant performance. I wish we saw more of him. Colin Ford does a decent job as the sullen teen. But Maggie Elizabeth Jones as his younger sister steals the show from everyone, even the animals, in every scene she is in. I also liked Elle Fanning's really delightful performance.

A nice sweet film that you can safely take the whole family to see. The story line might be a bit boring for the younger kids but older ones should enjoy.