We Bought a Zoo [PG]

Since the death of his wife, writer and father of 2 children, Benjamin Mee is struggling to come to grips to life without her. His 13 year-old son has little to do with him and everywhere he goes, he is reminded of her. So, in the hope of making a fresh start, he buys a dilapidated zoo that is barely squeaking by and has a large inspection coming up. Against enormous odds Benjamin, his children, and a tiny but loyal team of staff members give it their all to make the improvements that the zoo needs and, during the process, they come to terms with their loss. 

Based on an incredible true story, We Bought a Zoo is a really lovely and uplifting movie that’s filled with warmth, humour, loss, drama, and a rising sun on the horizon. It was really lovely and I enjoyed it very much. 

Since the death of his wife, writer and father of 2 children, Benjamin Mee is struggling to come to grips to life without her. His 13 year-old son has little to do with him and everywhere he goes, he is reminded of her. So, in the hope of making a fresh start, he buys a dilapidated zoo that is barely squeaking by and has a large inspection coming up. Against enormous odds Benjamin, his children, and a tiny but loyal team of staff members give it their all to make the improvements that the zoo needs and, during the process, they come to terms with their loss. 

Although I say that I did enjoy this movie, which is absolutely true, I did feel that it lost its footing a couple of times. This is a prime example of a movie depending solely on its story, which can often prove prosperous, but at other times just not so. Although the true story behind this film is really something, it was a hard story to visually interpret. 

Through the beautiful soundtrack that accompanied the film, you get the feeling that this little adventure that the family is on is not one of physical and financial challenges, but emotional and somewhat metaphorical ones as well and, for me, I just didn’t feel that the movie explored and portrayed those strongly enough. Quite a few of the more important central dramas are not introduced to the audience over time, but just suddenly thrown at them, not giving them enough time to register the emotional level of the drama and react appropriately. This is a shame because the story has so much potential for gaining a really strong emotional response from the audience, but the movie just wasn’t structured so soundly as to achieve those effects. 

All the performances from the central cast were wonderful with special applause having to go to Matt Damon, Colin Ford, and Maggie Elizabeth Jones. They were all wonderful! 

Also starring Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Hayden Church, Angus Macfayden, Patrick Fugit, John Michael Higgins, Carla Gallo, and Elle Fanning, We Bought a Zoo was a lovely little film that is definitely worth watching, but not as emotion invoking as it had the potential to be. Filled with animals, comedy, drama, loss, hope, and sunshine, it was still a very lovely film that I enjoyed very much.