Review of We Bought a Zoo (2011) by David G — 22 Mar 2013

Matt Damon embraces his lighter side in this true story-based family drama about recently widowed journalist Benjamin Mee (Damon) and his radical decision to up sticks and take over a struggling backwoods zoo. With the vital summer opening window fast approaching and money running low, Benjamin must also come to terms with the loss of his wife and reconnect with his troubled teenage son.

While the film does tackle some pretty hefty themes such as the acceptance of losing a loved one, it will mostly be remembered as a shameless, Disney-esque sugar-a-thon with larger than life characters, age-old cliches (Benjamin's wise-beyond-her-years daughter) and bucketloads of sentiment. As feelgood family entertainment the excess is largely forgivable but it does get a little too much at times, especially towards the end. Diabetics, have your insulin on standby.