We Bought A Zoo, review
We Bought A Zoo
PG, 2011, ****
Starring: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson
Director Cameron Crowe ("Jerry Maguire," "Almost Famous"), brings us another one of his heartfelt, real movies. This story is based on Benjamin Mee, who purchased Dartmoor Wildlife Park, now called Dartmoor Zoo. The real zoo is south west of England.
Check out the following links:
http://www.dartmoorzoo.org/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9108388/We-Bought-a-Zoo-the-true-story-behind-the-film.html
After the death of his wife, journalist, Bejamin Mee of Los Angeles suburbs played by Matt Damon ("Bourne Identity Series," "The Talented Mr. Ripley") and his 2 young children, embark on a new life journey. They end up buying a drastically price reduced farm house that comes with a big cost and some big cats. Buying the property means tackling the challenges of maintain the zoo: staff, animals, food, buildings, and security. And this zoo has seen better days; has not been up to code in years. Mee bites the bullet, even though his brother-in-law Duncan the accountant (Thomas Hayden Church, "Sideways") tells him he's crazy and can't afford to pull it off, but he goes ahead anyway and buys the 33 acre property, along with the lions, tigers and bears, oh my!
Oh my is right, he thinks it's going to be 'a walk in the park,' and then realizes it might not be a good idea. Still dealing with the loss of his wife, and it's affects on his children, he still believes he has it in him to achieve his goals and make the zoo idea work. His son Dylan, (Colin Ford, "Supernatural") who is an almost adolescent, wants to go back home to the burbs, and wants nothing to do with his fathers rash decision. His youngest, Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) loves the zoo and all it has to offer, and is excited about their new adventure-land.
One big problem, Benjamin has the former staff of the zoo, a few animal upkeepers, and zoo manager, Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson, "Iron Man 2, "The Island") who tries to explain to Benjamin that they are barely paid, and need serious rejuvination, and warns him of the costs involved, and doesn't think he's up for the task. Meanwhile, there becomes some mutual attraction going on between Damon and Johansson. They are both lonely, but keep it pretty much a friendly thing throughout the movie - keep in mind it's purely a family movie.
Check out this feel good film, and more about the accolades Mee has received over the few years he has maintained the zoo for it's outstanding staff, and enclosures that are more viewing friendly for the public and provide more space for the animals.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film. We haven't had a good family movie in quite some time, and it's refreshing to finally get to see a decent family and over all great film. It shows how the loss of something, can bring greater things to someone's life. As the saying goes, when one door closes, another one opens; and this is exactly what occurred with Benjamin Mee and his family.
