We Bought a Zoo

Problems With People and Animals to Solve
We Bought a Zoo, PG, ***1/2, Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church. 20th Century Fox film. Director Cameron Crowe. Length 124 minutes.

This movie is based on a true story. It is based on the book by the same name. Ben Mee wrote the book describing his real experience of purchasing a zoo. The actual account took place in Devon, England. The location in the film is California.
Benjamin (Matt Damon) is a widowed father. His wife died, and he is has two children Dylan (Colin Ford) and Rose (Maggie Elizabeth Jones). He is looking for a way to keep his children happy. Dylan is rebellious with a dark artistic side to him that worries his teachers.
Rose has a very funny line when a party is taking place next door. The festivities are loud and wild. Rose says, “Their happy is too loud.” I thought it was an appropriate statement.
In order to try and bring the family together, Benjamin decides to buy a zoo, and they move to a new neighborhood. Yes, a zoo - complete with exotic animals and work to be done along with problems to be solved.
Duncan (Thomas Haden Church) is Ben’s brother. He tries to talk Ben out of purchasing the zoo to no avail. Ben is determined to take on the zoo and all of its responsibilities.
Of course, troubles arise concerning the zoo. Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson), Peter (Angus Macfadyen), and Lily (Elle Fanning) are working at the zoo. They all make up an unusual group.
The movie has its ups and downs, but family problems are finally discussed and brought out into the open. It is always best to talk and communicate with family. The audience learns a lot about animals along with Ben and his family.
The movie is an adventure along with a learning experience for the whole family. It is worth taking the family to see this unusual movie.