Watch We Bought a Zoo

We Bought a Zoo is a heartwarming family drama film that was released in 2011. It is based on the memoir of the same name by Benjamin Mee. The movie is directed by Cameron Crowe, and it stars Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, and Thomas Haden Church in the lead roles. The movie follows the story of a recently widowed man named Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) who moves to the countryside with his two children, Dylan (Colin Ford) and Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones). After months of house hunting, they come across a large and dilapidated property that once served as a zoo. Benjamin impulsively buys the zoo with the hopes of starting a new life for his family.

The family soon discovers that the zoo animals need care and attention, and they begin to work tirelessly to fix up the zoo and get it ready for the grand re-opening. They are helped by the zoo's staff, including the head zookeeper Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson) and the accountant-turned-zookeeper, Robin Jones (Patrick Fugit).

As Benjamin and his family start to bond with the animals, they find themselves facing numerous challenges, including dealing with a skeptical inspector (John Michael Higgins), raising funds to keep the zoo running, and the realization that they have to come to terms with the death of Benjamin's wife.

Throughout the movie, We Bought a Zoo expertly balances its rugged beauty of the zoo with the emotional intensity of the characters. Each of the zoo animals has its quirks and unique personalities, which makes them just as much a part of the narrative as the human actors. The film also beautifully captures the relationship between Benjamin and his children, who have to come to terms with their mother's loss while also adjusting to their new life in the countryside.

Matt Damon's portrayal of Benjamin Mee is nuanced and heartwarming. He brings depth and sincerity to his role, capturing the emotional turmoil of a man trying to start a new life while still grieving his wife's loss. Scarlett Johansson is also excellent as Kelly Foster, the head zookeeper, who is passionate about her job and the animals she cares for. Thomas Haden Church as Duncan Mee, Benjamin's older brother, provides the comedic relief in the movie. Although his role is smaller, he manages to create some of the funniest moments.

Director Cameron Crowe creates a visually stunning movie, showcasing the magnificent beauty of the zoo and its inhabitants. The film's soundtrack is superb, with a mix of original music from Jónsi of Sigur Rós and some classic rock tunes. The cinematography is also excellent, as John Toll's cinematography brilliantly captures the natural beauty of the countryside.

Overall, We Bought a Zoo is an uplifting and heartwarming movie that is sure to leave viewers feeling inspired and emotionally fulfilled. It is a perfect movie to watch with the family, with its message of hope and resilience in the face of loss and adversity.

We Bought a Zoo is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 4 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 58.