I really wasn't sure what to expect from
We Bought A Zoo. The title alone screams 'Family Film'. That's not to say it's a bad thing. It's just that the majority of these types of films are all sugar and no substance.
Zoo is in fact a 'Family Film', but it goes a little bit deeper than your average flick in the same genre when a family has to deal with the tragic loss of one of their own and wind up buying....you guess it, a
Zoo. This is definitely a departure for
Cameron Crowe, the films Director and Co-Writer. I thought he did a pretty good job and just like he always does, he comes up with the perfect song to underscore selected scenes. There were actually a few spots that were very reminiscent of the mood and feeling I got watching
Almost Famous.
The star of
Zoo is without a doubt
Matt Damon, who gave a very touching performance as the father trying to keep it together for his family while trying to come to terms with the passing of his wife. The rest of the cast was great too with
Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Elle Fanning, Angus Macfadyen, Maggie Elizabeth Jones and
Patrick Fugit rounding it out.
I really enjoyed this movie and really didn't have any issues with it being a bit too formulaic. I was entertained and got choked up during the scenes that ask you to do so. It's unavoidable. I definitely say this is a
Buy for sure and I have no problem adding this to my own DVD Library.
Do I need to say it? Awesome soundtrack!!