We Bought A Zoo (2011):

Starring:

Matt Damon - Benjamin Mee

Scarlett Johansson - Kelly Foster

Thomas Haden Church - Duncan Mee

Colin Ford - Dylan Mee

Maggie Elizabeth Jones - Rosie Mee

Angus MacFadyen - Peter MacCready

Elle Fanning - Lily Miska

Patrick Fugit - Robin Jones

John Michael Higgins - Walter Ferris

Carla Gallo - Rhonda Blair

 J.B. Smoove - Mr. Stevens

Director:

Cameron Crowe (Jerry McGuire; Almost Famous; Vanilla Sky)

Rotten Tomatoes: 67%

Flixster: 78%

Synopsis:

Based on a true story, a widowed father buys a dilapidated zoo in hopes of making a fresh start. Facing enormous odds, he and his children, along with a small but loyal staff, work to get the zoo re-opened.

Review:

A very warm & happy family film based on a True Story of a lost man searching for something missing since his wife died. Great mix of comedy & drama. I really have nothing bad to say about this one. Everything was good. Acting was light & fun, great characters throughout including two highly underrated actors (in my opinion). First being Thomas Haden Church who is the attempted voice of reason as Damon's brother who is trying to help him move on with his life which ultimately ends up with him buying the farm to the dismay of Church. The other being a great comedian also with 3 names, John Michael Higgins who as usually adds his sarcastic style as the Zoo Inspector who holds the ability to shut down the Zoo if he sees fit. Angus MacFadyen (who I'm sure most people don't know, or if they do only from Saw 3 & 4) is really funny as the Zoo designer who is a fumbling drunk by night who is out to get revenge on Higgins who years earlier stole his ideas & designs & gave them to other zoos. It's a Cameron Crowe films which can only mean one thing, a great soundtrack. The one thing that Crowe loves maybe more than movie's is music, considering the story of "Almost Famous" is based on his own teenaged years. Great songs throughout that fit perfectly with the movie. The little girl playing Damon's daughter is possibly the most adorable little girl actor since Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone. Now I'm going to just say this, Am I the only one who doesn't find Scarlett Johansson the least bit attractive? I hope not because her jaw is HUGE. Anyways, feel good movie, you won't hate it. Might not LOVE it, but you'll enjoy it enough that you won't be mad you spent 2 hours of your time on it.

 69%

Lead Acting: 8/15
Supporting Cast: 9/15
Plot: 8/10
Compared To The Genre: 8/10
Cinematography: 14/20
Intrigue: 15/20
Extra: 7/10