When I saw the preview for We Bought a Zoo I thought I really wanted to see it. It looked like a fun family friendly movie that I could watch with the kids. We all love animal movies so this was right up our alley. I was even more thrilled when Fox sent us a copy. Before watching this movie all I knew of it was that it was based on the true story of a man who moves his family to a broken down zoo. I thought it would be funny and light and filled with fluff. We Bought a Zoo made me laugh, but it also made me cry.
Matt Damon plays a father,Benjamin Mee, who has just lost his wife due to illness and is having a hard time being a single parent. His children Dylan and Rosie Mee {played by Colin Ford and Maggie Elizabeth Jones} are also having a hard time coping with the loss of their mom. Dylan acts out in school, gets kicked out, and draws dark pictures while Rosie seems to be unable to find her own happiness and is attempting to fill the role of mom. It truly is heart wrenching watching this family cope with the loss of such a vital part of their lives. Benjamin loved his wife so much that he can’t even go to places they went to together. But the movie isn’t all sadness and loss. Benjamin decides his family needs a change, something new, so they buy a zoo!
The supporting cast in this film is where the humor comes in. My favorite is Angus Macfadyen, who plays the man in charge of the enclosures and security of the animals. His character is agressive but likable. Scarlett Johansson plays Kelly Foster, the person who has been taking care of the broken down zoo. She is funny and realistic and does a great job in this role. Thomas Haden Church plays Benjamin’s brother and is humorous as usual. The list goes on, faces and names that I was able to recognize made appearances throughout the film. The human interactions and the growth and development of characters is what is laugh out loud funny in this film.
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I have heard nothing but great things about this move. I can’t wait to watch it with my family.
Sounds good but I hate sad movies 🙁 I’m such a cry baby
Me too but it is worth the tears!
We rented this last week and its a GREAT family movie! So hard to find movies for all of our household’ ages, as we have a tween and 2 teens, plus grandkids too. A great movie for a home collection!