We Bought a Zoo review

Benjamin Mee: You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it. 

Director: Cameron Crowe
(2011)

If films were judged solely on their opening 20 minutes, there’s no doubt in my mind that We Bought a Zoo would be thrown on the trash heap by the majority of people. Despite or protagonist Benjamin (Matt Damon) being shown flying through hurricanes and interviewing world powers, the film couldn’t have been more drab even if it tried. Soon, conventional boxes are being systematically ticked, a flaw that continues right up until the films credits. Yet those who wait out this dreary opening will be in for a treat of sorts; a film that's completely predictable yet imbued with some magical moments about family and adventure.

Benjamin Mee is a renowned writer and family man, struggling to hold his children together after the death of his wife. His troubles looking after daughter Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) are amplified by the rebellious streak of his son Dylan (Colin Ford), the one who seems to be grieving the most. In an attempt to get away from it all and move on with his life, Benjamin purchases a house that comes with a zoo and plans to revive it in time for the summer season. He’s helped by Kelly (Scarlett Johansson), a lifelong worker at the zoo as they battle against time and money constraints in what proves to be Benjamin’s greatest adventure of all.

What helps ground the film is Damon’s performance as the struggling widowed father of 2 difficult children. He brings his A game here, Cameron Crowe’s solid direction coaxing out an emotionally varied effort. In some of the films more intense interactions-Bens arguments with his son for example- Damon is on top form, turning a moment of conflict into one of fierce paternal passion. The remainder of the cast are solid, even Johansson, who hasn’t been this good since 2004’s Lost in Translation. Elle Fanning is passable as Dylan’s love interest, but the role is wasted on a talent of her calibre. The other notable performance comes from Thomas Hayden Church as Bens caring and compassionate brother. Hayden Chruch is at his best here when paired with Damon; the brotherly conversations do a wonderful job of fleshing out Ben’s recent tragedy.

What really damages the quality of We Bought a Zoo is how incredibly predictable everything is. From the moment the zoo is bought, it’s easy to see how the plot will unfold. Just by simply paying attention it’s possible to see developments from a mile away, the dual romance brewing between Dylan and Lily and Ben and Kelly renders some interesting scenes completely flaccid. Crowe spends most of his time following a well worn path, attempting to make sure the film stays fluffy in tone even when death is the primary topic of the scene. It stops the finished product from being too saccharine sweet, but the more serious issues the film focuses on are rendered somewhat trivial at times. This still isn’t the films biggest flaw however, that dishonour goes to the moody teenager plot arc, one that’s so poor it tears the films overall quality down a few notches. The temper tantrums of Dylan make him whiney and somewhat idiotic preventing us from gaining any sympathy for his character.

Still, moving the multitude of flaws to the side, We Bought a Zoo does exactly what it’s supposed to; put a smile on the faces of its audience. By correctly implementing an uplifting finale coupled with a wonderful soundtrack by Jonsi, makes the films slog of an opening feel somewhat worthwhile. It will never be in a conversation regarding Crowe’s best films, but We Bought a Zoo is nonetheless an enjoyable film with universal appeal.

7