We Bought a Zoo

Like Benjamin Mee, I don't know how to approach this now. So, I’ll take it one step at a time. The premise was okay, and I didn't have the slightest problem with it. Compassion and love for animals (as long as it remains purely platonic) are definitely a good thing. On the other hand, I have a problem with the way these values were presented. It was a family film, so I knew there were going to be moral lessons. They didn’t even feel out of place. It could have been a decent film if it hadn’t been turned into a huge nostalgic emotional wringer and sacrificed everything else to that end. I’ve been a fan of Scarlett Johansson ever since The Horse Whisperer (1998) and Ghost World (2001). I was all the more annoyed by the character she portrayed here. I’m sure there are people who will share all their problems, issues, and failures with you five minutes after you meet them. I just don't want to meet them. It was all so uncomfortable to watch; the constant reminiscing about the wife, the dying tiger, the troubled teenager. It was just cheap, and it must have been obvious to everyone what ending the film was heading towards. No, the film wasn’t enjoyable and I’m glad it's over. / Lesson learned: Teaching a beast to give a paw might not be a good idea. (09/14/2022)

A thoroughly upbeat spectacle, for which one obviously has to be in the mood (and I was). I was still worried about five minutes before the film started that it would be too cute, full of babbling children, funny animals and so on. Of course, no such thing happened. Excellent sympathetic actors, nice script, humor, a tear here and there (really!)... And the sensational character of the zoo inspector played by John Michael Higgins. (10/12/2013)

"We Bought a Zoo" is exactly the kind of undemanding film that it presents itself as. It begins with tragedy, only to end in absolute happiness. Cameron Crowe directed a film that will please you, give you hope again, that life can be beautiful. Matt Damon plays a man whose wife has died. He has two children that he wants to raise. To escape the past, he decides to move away. However, the new house will be very unusual. It includes a former zoo, where there are still animal enclosures and employees who haven't been paid for some time. Although it sounds like the biggest foolishness in his life, he decides to buy the zoo. The classic American dream can begin, with pathos, clichés, love, but also beautiful scenes. The story is simply straightforward, beautiful, touching, and kind. What holds it together are the excellent performances by the actors. Matt Damon is a guarantee, as well as Scarlett Johansson, but I was very surprised by Elle Fanning, playing a quirky girl who falls in love with Matt's movie son. With this role, Elle has surpassed her sister for me. She showed that she can act and that it suits her very well. "We Bought a Zoo" is simply an effortless, beautifully enjoyable experience. If you are looking for hope after a difficult life event, this is one of those films that can help you find it. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/08/lode-stud-zoo-marylin-pulnoc-v-parizi.html (02/24/2013)

A a barrage of positivity that relies on the typical trademarks that Cameron Crowe sprinkles into each of his films: strong characters that you can't help but sympathize with, some sparkle between main characters, a common goal to work towards, a dash of emotions and personal attitudes that need to be changed, all adding to one of the film of the year. Crowe hasn't overstretched himself this time around, and made a modest, intimate film that is emotionally transparent and relatable, even though it's actually woefully unoriginal and ordinary. But even fleshing out the characters and dialogue and adding a catchy soundtrack is quite a feat in a production like this. The last scene is awesome. (04/20/2016)

Yeah, why not? Why not, for once in your short life, take your own path full of bumps, where even your loved ones will lose their sense of security? Why not believe in something that others would never hope for? Why not throw away past traumas and start again? We Bought a Zoo has an unoriginal story that as a whole ends in the most unexpected way, but I absorbed the varied and beautiful flavours and feelings contained in the individual scenes, the sweetly humorous dialogue, and the overall mood and motivational atmosphere of the film with as much joy as a kiss emoji from my crush (yeah, I wish she would actually think of me at least once a month). A small film, but with a big heart and a haunting last line that almost brought tears to my eyes. 75% (11/22/2015)