Normally when a studio holds an early, nationwide screening for audiences it’s because they think the film is really good and that the buzz will be helpful to spread the word. Last fall Fox decided to show “We Bought a Zoo” to thousands and thousands of people, not a week or two before it’s schedule release date but an entire month early. A puzzling move, because the preview screenings didn’t help develop any buzz for the film. Neither did the fact that this “based on a true story” dramedy just isn’t very good, as first-time watchers will learn now that the film is out on DVD.
Matt Damon plays Benjamin, a single father of two who’s still coping with the death of his wife six months earlier. He was a writer, but just like the title character in director Cameron Crowe’s “Jerry McGuire”, Benjamin quits his job looking to start a new life in a new town.
After checking-out many new houses Benjamin and his young daughter fall in love with an old home with loads of land attached. They soon learn that this isn’t just any property – it’s a zoo. But Ben doesn’t see this as a problem, but an opportunity. He decides to buy the zoo, which has been closed-down for awhile. It comes with all the animals and the workers, including head zookeeper Kelly (played by Scarlett Johansson). Together Ben, Kelly and the staff have to get the zoo back in shape so it can pass inspection and re-open.
The biggest problem with “We Bought a Zoo” is that everything is too forced. The main story-line and all the subplots are just so obvious, including the possible romances between Ben and Kelly and Ben’s teen son and Kelly’s cousin (Elle Fanning). This may be the most manipulative script of any film I’ve seen all year. This movie tries to get you to tear-up in scene after scene after scene. But it never happens, because these characters are so dry and one-dimensional that you don’t care what happens to them. Good movies draw emotions from an audience. Here Crowe tries to reach into your body and squeeze your heart with both hands, piling-on with what are supposed to be dramatic elements and captivating scenes – that just aren’t.
Almost as bad are the efforts at comedy the supporting characters – the goofy realtor (J.B. Smoove), Ben’s quirky brother (Thomas Haden Church) and the weird inspector (John Michael Higgins). All completely unrealistic and unfunny. Damon does his best with what he’s got to work with while Johansson simply delivers her one-note dialogue.
“We Bought a Zoo” is rated PG for language and thematic material. It’s appropriate for kids 9 and up.
On The Official Kid Critic Report Card, “We Bought a Zoo” gets a D+.
All the animals are real and therefore don’t talk. If you have to see a zoo movie, go with “Zookeeper”, Kevin James 2011 comedy in which the animals do speak. It’s not “based on a true story”, but at least it’s mildly entertaining.