We Bought a Zoo
Posted: February 23rd, 2013, 6:27 pm
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I wasn't sure if I should put this under Comedies or Drama, because it deals with several serious matters but with charm, wit, and conscience. Matt Damon who I believe has become one of our finest actors, is a very recent widower looking for something to kick-start his family again with Mom gone. Everybody seems to be going their own way, so he buys a rundown, nearly closed for eviction zoo, currently run by a real rag tag group of animal lovers who have no way of keeping the place they love, opened. Thinking he will just go in with the money and someone else will actually handle the day to day operation, his daydream world is quickly brought up to reality. Matt has proven to be a terrific action hero (the Bourne series), an intelligent side-kick/crook (the Ocean series), and now a loving although unsure father. His teenage son naturally resents being taken away from friends and the city, and his little girl (Maggie Elizabeth Jones), is the winningest little dolly to come along since Dakota Fanning was in her single digit ages. Maggie Elizabeth has red, Shirley Temple curls, and a smile from ear to ear. She, of course falls in love with all the animals and even gives names to a brood of peacocks (most of which are named Peaches). Another amazing actor on hand is Scarlett Johansson. This lady is so lovely, and such a fine actor that she obviously will give up anything for her craft, including makeup and hair styling. she doesn't seem to care what the role calls for, she is there to do it in a sequined gown or a halter top and cut offs, with her hair in braids and I can only say "This girl is an ACTRESS". And lastly Thomas Haden Church finally playing a fairly sympathetic brother to Matt Damon in his attempt to rebuild his relations with his kids. Thomas doesn't usually do this kind of role, at least not that I've seen.
The story has all the pitfalls of sick animals, rundown buildings and fences, too little money, and a nasty animal warden who is just itching to shut the zoo down. It's never really made clear why he hates the place so much, but he's the ultimate villain. As it goes on though, Matt just blithely continues making friends in town and all around with the determined idea the the zoo will re-open on July 7. And his working crew is working hard trying to believe in him and his dream of re-opening, though they are some quirky characters in themselves.
I don't know why this movie appealed to me so much, but in the short time that it's been on the cable premium channels, I've watched it about 4 times already and I'm looking for it at Walmart to come down to their usual sale prices. Maybe with my love of westerns and the shoot-em-up mentality, plus the way the political world is going, I've probably been ready for a real, family love oriented movie to sink my teeth into. Naturally a minor crush occurs on Scarletts part, but Matt makes it clear it's too soon after his wife, but KIND OF changes his mind near the end, at least that's the impression I got. Of course it's a very recent movie from 2011, directed by Cameron Crowe, and written by Aline Brosh McKenna, but they offer up a charming, interesting story that holds your attention quite well, and gives you a restful change from all the CGI, and blood and guts that surrounds us today in the movies. Even the death of a treasured animal is handled with taste and thoughtfulness.
I heartily recommend this one for rental, especially for the whole family (including small children) to enjoy some boring Saturday night. I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to the mechanics and finer points of production. I just sat back and enjoyed as I do with a movie like Stars in My Crown for pure entertainment.
Comments would be appreciated to learn if others were as charmed as I was.
.
I wasn't sure if I should put this under Comedies or Drama, because it deals with several serious matters but with charm, wit, and conscience. Matt Damon who I believe has become one of our finest actors, is a very recent widower looking for something to kick-start his family again with Mom gone. Everybody seems to be going their own way, so he buys a rundown, nearly closed for eviction zoo, currently run by a real rag tag group of animal lovers who have no way of keeping the place they love, opened. Thinking he will just go in with the money and someone else will actually handle the day to day operation, his daydream world is quickly brought up to reality. Matt has proven to be a terrific action hero (the Bourne series), an intelligent side-kick/crook (the Ocean series), and now a loving although unsure father. His teenage son naturally resents being taken away from friends and the city, and his little girl (Maggie Elizabeth Jones), is the winningest little dolly to come along since Dakota Fanning was in her single digit ages. Maggie Elizabeth has red, Shirley Temple curls, and a smile from ear to ear. She, of course falls in love with all the animals and even gives names to a brood of peacocks (most of which are named Peaches). Another amazing actor on hand is Scarlett Johansson. This lady is so lovely, and such a fine actor that she obviously will give up anything for her craft, including makeup and hair styling. she doesn't seem to care what the role calls for, she is there to do it in a sequined gown or a halter top and cut offs, with her hair in braids and I can only say "This girl is an ACTRESS". And lastly Thomas Haden Church finally playing a fairly sympathetic brother to Matt Damon in his attempt to rebuild his relations with his kids. Thomas doesn't usually do this kind of role, at least not that I've seen.
The story has all the pitfalls of sick animals, rundown buildings and fences, too little money, and a nasty animal warden who is just itching to shut the zoo down. It's never really made clear why he hates the place so much, but he's the ultimate villain. As it goes on though, Matt just blithely continues making friends in town and all around with the determined idea the the zoo will re-open on July 7. And his working crew is working hard trying to believe in him and his dream of re-opening, though they are some quirky characters in themselves.
I don't know why this movie appealed to me so much, but in the short time that it's been on the cable premium channels, I've watched it about 4 times already and I'm looking for it at Walmart to come down to their usual sale prices. Maybe with my love of westerns and the shoot-em-up mentality, plus the way the political world is going, I've probably been ready for a real, family love oriented movie to sink my teeth into. Naturally a minor crush occurs on Scarletts part, but Matt makes it clear it's too soon after his wife, but KIND OF changes his mind near the end, at least that's the impression I got. Of course it's a very recent movie from 2011, directed by Cameron Crowe, and written by Aline Brosh McKenna, but they offer up a charming, interesting story that holds your attention quite well, and gives you a restful change from all the CGI, and blood and guts that surrounds us today in the movies. Even the death of a treasured animal is handled with taste and thoughtfulness.
I heartily recommend this one for rental, especially for the whole family (including small children) to enjoy some boring Saturday night. I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to the mechanics and finer points of production. I just sat back and enjoyed as I do with a movie like Stars in My Crown for pure entertainment.
Comments would be appreciated to learn if others were as charmed as I was.
.