We Bought a Zoo

Name: We Bought a Zoo
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: December 23, 2011
Duration: 124 min
Rating: 58

2011

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 41 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 195 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 195 Ratings

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We Bought A Zoo

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: December 23, 2011 | PG

Summary: We Bought a Zoo, a memoir by Benjamin Mee, tells the true account of how the author and his family used their life savings to buy a dilapidated zoo, replete with 200 exotic animals facing destruction, in the English countryside. Mee, along with his children, had to balance caring for his wife, who was dying of brain cancer, with dealingWe Bought a Zoo, a memoir by Benjamin Mee, tells the true account of how the author and his family used their life savings to buy a dilapidated zoo, replete with 200 exotic animals facing destruction, in the English countryside. Mee, along with his children, had to balance caring for his wife, who was dying of brain cancer, with dealing with escaped tigers, raising endangered animals, working with an eclectic skeleton crew and readying the zoo for a reopening. (20th Century Fox)

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Director: Cameron Crowe

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 124 min

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Critic Reviews

Bill Goodykoontz

Dec 21, 2011

Damon can elevate just about anything in which he appears. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Dec 22, 2011

Scarlett Johansson plays the head zookeeper and she's a lot less mannered than usual. Read full review

David Denby

Jan 9, 2012

Nothing that happens in this movie is in the least surprising, but it's all quite pleasant and even, at times, moving. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Dec 22, 2011

A movie you want to like, and a movie you can enjoy if you cut its slackness some slack. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Mar 16, 2012

It's a bit sucrose, especially at the beginning, but this traditional, sweet-natured family film will tug on the heartstrings. Read full review

M. E. Russell

Dec 22, 2011

A modestly charming family crowd-pleaser despite too-broad characterizations by many in the supporting cast. Read full review

Nick Schager

Dec 11, 2011

Far more concerned with pratfalling animal shenanigans and unearned uplift than crafting a single complex or amusing moment, it's a film caged in by formulaic plotting and plentiful pap. Read full review

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User Reviews

Bookmaster

Dec 23, 2011

This is a movie about people who buy a zoo. They buy a zoo, very, very easily. They pick up the phone, and the family, the "We" in "We Bought a Zoo" bought a zoo. That's right, a zoo. An area where animals are caged or put into artificial habitats for human entertainment. They bought a zoo.This is a movie about people who buy a zoo. They buy a zoo, very, very easily. They pick up the phone, and the family, the "We" in "We Bought a Zoo" bought a zoo. That's right, a zoo. An area where animals are caged or put into artificial habitats for human entertainment. They bought a zoo. The family. They bought it, as in exchanged something, mostly currency, for an object they wished to posses. In this case, the zoo. They purchases in full. That's right. They. Bought. A. ZOOOOOO! I crap you not. ZOOOOOoooooOOOOO!… Expand

2 of 10 users found this helpful28

ShelbyBoock

Jan 31, 2012

I loved this movie. I thought all the actors and actresses playing the main roles were perfect for their parts! The little girl was definitely my favorite though! :) This movie was longer than most but I didn't even realize it until I left the theater because I was so into the story. GreatI loved this movie. I thought all the actors and actresses playing the main roles were perfect for their parts! The little girl was definitely my favorite though! :) This movie was longer than most but I didn't even realize it until I left the theater because I was so into the story. Great movie for everyone!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MajorBob

Jan 7, 2012

"We Bought a Zoo" is the feel good movie of the holiday season. Before you go to see it be aware that it is rated PG; Matt Damon is not the Jason Bourne Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson is not the Nola Rice (Match Point) Scarlett Johansson or the Christina from Scarlett Johansson from"We Bought a Zoo" is the feel good movie of the holiday season. Before you go to see it be aware that it is rated PG; Matt Damon is not the Jason Bourne Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson is not the Nola Rice (Match Point) Scarlett Johansson or the Christina from Scarlett Johansson from "Vicky Christina Barcelona."

The real stars of this movie are the animals at the run down zoo that Damon's character buys and Maggie Elizabeth Jones as his 7 year old daughter, Rosie. Ms. Jones will break your heart and make you want to take her home with you. The story is uncomplicated and predictable but it still works. Ms. Johansson works her usual magic on the male protagonist but in this movie its rumored that he spent more time in the hair and make up chair than she did. The supporting cast is just fine and the pace of the movie is much better than I expected. The moping teenage son shattered by his mother's death slowly comes around with the help of a teenage crush, the zoo gets opened and everyone has a smile on their face as the credits roll. This movie was made for movie lovers and not for the critics and award shows. Enjoy it for what it is; 2 hours and 15 minutes of light-hearted, feel good entertainment.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

BKM

Jul 1, 2012

We Bought a Zoo is easy enough to roll your eyes at and write off as corn, but if you accept it for what it is you may be pleasantly surprised. Cameron Crowe wades through just about every cliche imaginable but still manages to wring genuine emotion out of this fact based story thanks inWe Bought a Zoo is easy enough to roll your eyes at and write off as corn, but if you accept it for what it is you may be pleasantly surprised. Cameron Crowe wades through just about every cliche imaginable but still manages to wring genuine emotion out of this fact based story thanks in large part to the exceptional lead performances of Damon and Johanssen.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

nutterjr

May 22, 2012

Damon is good in this film where there is a good mix of funny and sad moments in a calculated sequence resembling a Disney production. Only this one is based on a true story.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

EpicLadySponge

Feb 19, 2016

We Bought a Zoo may look adventurous and life-changing, but the visual storyline easily gets lost track and the Zoo looks like it has an expiration date on it and if they don't buy to keep the Zoo going on longer, it'll get expired and they'll lose the Zoo. Same thing happens with this movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

hope

Jan 1, 2012

ok well so start it is rated PG and with all the swaring it should be rated PG 13 but if they rated it PG 13 it would turn off younger audiences witch to me is a scam!

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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