We Bought a Zoo (2011)

Set in Southern California, a father moves his young family to the countryside to renovate and re-open a struggling zoo.

Director:

Cameron Crowe

Writers:

Aline Brosh McKenna (screenplay), Cameron Crowe (screenplay),

Stars:

Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church

1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matt Damon	...	Benjamin Mee
Scarlett Johansson	...	Kelly Foster
Thomas Haden Church	...	Duncan Mee
Colin Ford	...	Dylan Mee
Maggie Elizabeth Jones	...	Rosie Mee
Angus Macfadyen	...	Peter MacCready (as Angus MacFadyen)
Elle Fanning	...	Lily Miska
Patrick Fugit	...	Robin Jones
John Michael Higgins	...	Walter Ferris
Carla Gallo	...	Rhonda Blair
J.B. Smoove	...	Mr. Stevens (as JB Smoove)
Stephanie Szostak	...	Katherine Mee
Michael Panes	...	Principal
Kym Whitley	...	Cashier
Todd Stanton	...	San Diego Vet

Storyline

Benjamin has lost his wife. In a bid to start his life over, he purchases a large house that has a zoo. This is welcome news for his daughter, but his son is not happy about it. The zoo is need of renovation and Benjamin sets about the work with the head keeper, Kelly, and the rest of the zoo staff. But, the zoo soon runs into financial trouble. The staff must get the zoo back to its former glory, pass a zoo inspection, and get it back open to the public.

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Plot Keywords:

zoo | inspection | brother sister relationship | school expulsion | diner | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and some thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

20th Century Fox [us] Official site [es]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 December 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Un zoológico en casa

Filming Locations:

990 N. Allen St., Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$9,450,000 (USA) (23 December 2011)

Gross:

$75,621,915 (USA) (11 May 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, LBI Entertainment, Vinyl Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Thomas Lennon was considered for the role of Walter Ferris.

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Goofs

When the bear is in town the car sitting at the stop sign in the background is completely empty.

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Quotes

Rosie Mee: [as Walter Ferris is finalizing his inspection] You know, everybody here thinks you're a dick. I don't know what that means, but I don't think that.

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Connections

Referenced in Conan: Christmas Eve Not Christmas Steve (2011)

User Reviews

Beautiful & Touching, Crowe does it again.

Cameron Crowe never fails to deliver hart warming drama-comedies that make you laugh, cry and keep you on the edge of your seat for duration of his films. For me personally, I never seem to agree with Crowe's casting taste (Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson never do much for me) but Cameron has a way with actors and a true vision for his story. He always seems to know exactly who can capture his characters and ultimately draw out your emotions that he's tugging at.

In We Bought a Zoo, there is a bit of a slow start and at one point I was worried Cameron had lowered his voice to appeal to a larger audience to please producers and critics alike (after his Critically-bombed but personal all time fav, Elizabethtown).

But let me tell you, pay your dues with the first half of this film because the second half will take you on a mesmerizing cinematic adventure you'll be heartbroken for more. Cameron ventures into a new family drama without compromising his voice, music taste or quality film making. And if you are still not a huge CC fan, the animals are sure to win you over. Their beautiful and natural moments on screen are as breath taking as they are tear-jerking.

Spend an amazing two hours with this film and there won't be a person in your household that won't agree that this film is one to remember. From a fan and living-room-critic, I give it two thumbs up :)