We Bought a Zoo

We Bought a Zoo is based on the true story of Benjamin Mee, his family, and the Dartmoor Zoological Park. The movie follows Benjamin, played by Matt Damon, as he and his two children try to move on from his wife’s recent death.

When Benjamin’s son is expelled from school, and the family has to move cities, Benjamin sees the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. As he and his daughter shop for a new home, they come across one that seems to be a perfect fit, but it comes with a catch. The home’s 16 acre backyard is filled with wild animals and broken down enclosures. With a lot of hard work and help from the zoo’s staff, the family works to transform the worn down zoo into an animal park adventure.

Matt Damon’s acting was superb, as usual, and he gave an exceptional performance as the grieving widow and father. Scarlett Johansson, who played the resident zoologist, was witty and charming, and her performance added a splash of fun to the film. Maggie Elizabeth Jones gave an amazing breakout performance as Benjamin’s daughter, Rosie, andColin Ford had an average performance as the angst ridden teenage son, Dylan.

Overall, We Bought a Zoo was exceptional and I recommend this movie to everyone. It is the perfect film for people of all ages, and an excellent family movie.