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 & 8 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 in 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.

---

Plot Keywords:

love at first sight | blocked road | zookeeper | father son relationship | teenage boy | 

---

Taglines:

A true zoo story.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and some thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

20th Century Fox [United States] Official site [Spain]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

23 December 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Un zoológico en casa

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,450,000, 25 December 2011, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$75,624,550

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$120,081,841

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox,LBI Entertainment,Vinyl Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Datasat SDDS Dolby Surround 7.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Amy Adams, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Rachel McAdams were considered for the role of Kelly Foster.

---

Goofs

Walter Ferris worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but his government vehicle's license plates were State of California Exempt plates. His vehicle should have had U.S. government license plates rather than a state government's license plates.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Dylan Mee: My dad is a writer who specialized in adventure.
Benjamin Mee: This is Benjamin Mee. I am surrounded by hundreds, probably thousands of killer bees. If I wasn't wearing this suit, I would be dead in an instant.
Dylan Mee: He interviewed dangerous dictators.
Hugo Chavez: Take this message to that American cowboy. We already gave a 10 billion dollar oil credit to China. Swallow that, Mr. Danger!
Benjamin Mee: What's your favorite movie?
Hugo Chavez: Toy Story.
[to his staff]
Hugo Chavez: The first one or the second one?
Segundo: The second.
[...]

---

Connections

Referenced in Midnight Screenings: Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows/Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011)

---

Soundtracks

Sinking Friendships
Written by Jon Thor Birgisson (as Jón Þór Birgisson)
Performed by Jon Thor Birgisson (as Jónsi)
Produced by Jon Thor Birgisson (as Jón Þór Birgisson), Alex Somers, Peter Katis
Mixed by Tom Elmhirst
Courtesy of XL Recordings/Parlophone

User Reviews

Stop comparing to Jerry Maguire! This is a great family film.

We bought a zoo is a great movie to go see with the family. Damon flaunts his emotional acting abilities with great form but the stage stealer is young Maggie Elizebeth Jones playing Damon's seven year old daughter. Jones is an eccentric little girl who is bound to bring laughter and Aww's out of you. Elle Fanning does a great job as always; Tomas Haden Church plays his perfect role, and Scarlett Johansson levels things out very nicely.

If you want a lot of emotion with consistent laughter, We Bought a Zoo is a great Sunday afternoon choice. Bound to bring tears, smiles and laughter, with a great true story to back it up.