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Started By
Message
We Bought a Zoo (Medium-length review)
Posted on 1/2/13 at 1:22 pm
Posted on 1/2/13 at 1:22 pm
Okay... I'm a little late getting to this one. I watched it last night on HBOGo and I felt compelled to say a few things about it.
This movie is a lot better/deeper than I was expecting. The movie has the usual set of Cameron Crowe devices to pull at your heartstrings, but 80% of the time it pulls in the right way.
Many of the the actors in this movie give pretty solid performances. Matt Damon is believable, Scarlett Johansson has a likeable character for a change, and the kid actors are all really solid.
I really enjoyed the theme of the movie, which is to embrace change. It's not really about the zoo or the love story, which I'm glad was soft-sold in the movie. It felt natural as it developed. Realistic.
Also, as a widower, I found that the subject matter of Matt Damon's character recovering from his family's loss, and his difficulties associated with wanting to change and move on, was very true to life and a fresh exploration of inner motivation and conflict in a movie. Some of this stuff hit close to home, and I've never seen another movie quite nail that particular struggle like this one.
If you're not into relationship-based light comedy with happy endings... this is not the movie for you. But, I suspect that this is a good movie for most, and I would recommend it if you missed out on it earlier. Much more male-friendly than most movies of this genre.
This movie is a lot better/deeper than I was expecting. The movie has the usual set of Cameron Crowe devices to pull at your heartstrings, but 80% of the time it pulls in the right way.
Many of the the actors in this movie give pretty solid performances. Matt Damon is believable, Scarlett Johansson has a likeable character for a change, and the kid actors are all really solid.
I really enjoyed the theme of the movie, which is to embrace change. It's not really about the zoo or the love story, which I'm glad was soft-sold in the movie. It felt natural as it developed. Realistic.
Also, as a widower, I found that the subject matter of Matt Damon's character recovering from his family's loss, and his difficulties associated with wanting to change and move on, was very true to life and a fresh exploration of inner motivation and conflict in a movie. Some of this stuff hit close to home, and I've never seen another movie quite nail that particular struggle like this one.
If you're not into relationship-based light comedy with happy endings... this is not the movie for you. But, I suspect that this is a good movie for most, and I would recommend it if you missed out on it earlier. Much more male-friendly than most movies of this genre.
6
Posted on 1/2/13 at 1:53 pm to SpqrTiger
I watched it a couple months ago, and was surprised that it was as good as it was. I had originally wanted to catch it in theaters because I figured it would be something that I would enjoy, but it was actually better than I was thinking it would be. Enjoyable all around, and I pretty much agree with everything you said.
Posted on 1/2/13 at 1:54 pm to SpqrTiger
I thought it was fantastic.
The girl who played Matt Damon's daughter is fantastic. I literally couldn't believe how amazing she was for her age.
The girl who played Matt Damon's daughter is fantastic. I literally couldn't believe how amazing she was for her age.
Posted on 1/2/13 at 2:39 pm to TotesMcGotes
Agree completely with the OP. Good review. Sorry for your loss too.
Agree as well. Isn't she on Ben and Kate now? Great little actress.
quote:
The girl who played Matt Damon's daughter is fantastic.
Agree as well. Isn't she on Ben and Kate now? Great little actress.
Posted on 1/2/13 at 2:42 pm to SpqrTiger
I saw this on HBO a couple of weeks ago, and I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would.
Posted on 1/2/13 at 2:52 pm to The Cow Goes Moo Moo
I was pleasantly surprised myself because it didn't appear to be something I would like.
Posted on 1/2/13 at 3:36 pm to SpqrTiger
quote:
Some of this stuff hit close to home, and I've never seen another movie quite nail that particular struggle like this one.
Absolutely.
I was pleasantly surprised by it that's for sure. I just happened to start watching it when it popped up on HBO one day and have found it to be one of those movies I'll catch whenever it's on. Really enjoyed it.
Posted on 1/2/13 at 6:29 pm to SpqrTiger
no slutty scarlett so it was let down for me 
Posted on 1/2/13 at 8:03 pm to SpqrTiger
quote:Yeah, and it was far too obvious for me. It was actually pretty irritating.
The movie has the usual set of Cameron Crowe devices to pull at your heartstrings
Posted on 1/2/13 at 8:18 pm to Zed
I really enjoyed this movie. SPOILER ALERT
The whole scene at the end where he is showing the kids where he met their mom hit home for me. My wife hasn't passed away (I can honestly say I don't know how I would move on without her), but I literally did this same thing with my six year old daughter this fall. I met my wife at LSU in school and I brought my daughter to her first LSU game so I did the whole here's where I first met your mom thing. She thought it was so cool.
So many of these types of movies come off as contrived, and I thought they did a really good job of making it believable. Matt Damon is an underrated actor. He is a mess politically, but he's a great actor. It helps that the movie is based off of a true story. This definitely is one of the best movies I've seen in the last couple years.
The whole scene at the end where he is showing the kids where he met their mom hit home for me. My wife hasn't passed away (I can honestly say I don't know how I would move on without her), but I literally did this same thing with my six year old daughter this fall. I met my wife at LSU in school and I brought my daughter to her first LSU game so I did the whole here's where I first met your mom thing. She thought it was so cool.
So many of these types of movies come off as contrived, and I thought they did a really good job of making it believable. Matt Damon is an underrated actor. He is a mess politically, but he's a great actor. It helps that the movie is based off of a true story. This definitely is one of the best movies I've seen in the last couple years.
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