Review of We Bought a Zoo (2011) by Josh H — 25 Dec 2012
"We Bored a Viewer", more like it. Take away Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson and this movie becomes Lifetime Channel material in the blink of an eye. The script chugs along through the usual notes almost like it has a vendetta against doing or saying anything original.
You will predict the outcome of every relationship and every character's arc within five minutes, so your investment in the film quickly becomes little more than seeing those aspects blossom to fruition; it would have helped if any of those arcs was particularly interesting.
Troubled father coping with a rocky relationship with his son? Check. Poorly developed coming of age love story? Check. Happy ending after 90 minutes of adversity? Check. Let's face it: If "We Bought a Zoo" has to be more than 2 hours long, then it TOTALLY makes sense that "The Hobbit" needs three movies.
Is it fun seeing animals? Always. Is Matt Damon great? Even MORE always. Is the film as clumsy and bland as its title? You can bet the zoo on it.
This review of We Bought a Zoo (2011) was written by Josh H on 25 Dec 2012.
We Bought a Zoo has generally received positive reviews.
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