CLIPS MOVIE REVIEWS

by Roger Tennis

On CLIPS In January, 2012

WE BOUGHT A ZOO

Based on a true story, a widower (Matt Damon) buys his family a country house with a struggling zoo in director Cameron Crowe's latest film.

TRIVIA: Cameron Crowe made his directing debut with what 1989 movie?

ROG'S VIEWPOINT
      (3 CAMS)        RATED PG

Widower Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) moves his children Dylan (Colin Ford) and Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) to a countryside home complete with a struggling zoo. Against the advice of his brother Duncan (Thomas Haden Church) and with help from zookeeper Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson) and the employees, Benjamin and his family attempt to renovate and re-open the zoo. Based on a true story, "We Bought A Zoo" is an entertaining, but predictable, dramatic comedy for all ages. Director Cameron Crowe, who is an expert at making excellent character-driven films like "Jerry Maguire", brings this heartfelt, feel-good movie to the screen with the perfect cast. Damon, Johansson and Church admirably handle the impossible task of acting opposite cute kids and animals. One cutie who is underused here is Elle Fanning. That "Super 8" girl (Dakota's sister) plays Kelly's cousin Lily, who steals a few scenes as the puppy love interest of young Dylan. On hand as a zoo employee is Patrick Fugit - one of the stars of Crowe's hit "Almost Famous". While not breaking any new ground in the world of cinema, this enjoyable matinee fare delivers messages of love and perseverance in a pleasing way. Only an unnecessary sappy ending works against it. Some language and thematic elements give this movie its PG rating. But there's no real sex and violence. As a family get-together, "We Bought A Zoo" may be one of the best buys this holiday season.