Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
From Amazon.co.uk
Though adapted from a memoir by a British journalist, We Bought a Zoo feels entirely like a Cameron Crowe film, with clear parallels to previous crowd-pleasers like Jerry Maguire. Crowe introduces Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon in a role that recalls his Contagion character) six months after the death of his wife. Since everything reminds him of her, the California columnist decides to make a change, starting with a new location. His realtor (Curb Your Enthusiasm's J.B. Smoove), brother (Sideways' Thomas Haden Church), and sullen teenage son (Colin Ford) try to talk him out of it, but Mee falls in love with a country manor that comes with a strange stipulation: the tenant must manage the zoo that accompanies the property. With his daughter's blessing, Mee takes the plunge. Fortunately, he inherits an experienced staff, including MacCready (Angus MacFadyen), Robin (Patrick Fugit), Lily (Elle Fanning), and Kelly (Scarlett Johansson, lovely as ever in her least glamorous role to date). Mee's road to reinvention offers few surprises, but Damon makes him a sympathetic figure who finds the same kind of support system among the park personnel that Fugit's Almost Famous writer found in the rock world, except Mee's relationships have more staying power. If his detractors--a skeptical employee and an unctuous inspector--feel like screenwriter constructs, Zoo represents a return to form for Crowe after a series of missteps, including Elizabethtown. Better yet, the real-life park that Mee acquired continues to lead by example as a humane habitat for endangered species. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Product Description
NEW AND SEALED
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 37 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. TC Kong
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
What do you do when you lose your wife, whom you have loved with all your soul for over 14 years, and your life and that of your family is falling apart as a result? That is the question that journalist Benjamin Mee has to answer. His solution: relocate and buy a zoo, of course!
Based on a true story, this film recounts the experiences of the Mee family as they struggle to come to terms with life, death, loss and discovery, while trying to breathe new life into a run down zoo at risk of closure by the local authorities. We Bought a Zoo (DVD + Digital Copy) is a heartwarming comedy with many hilarious scenes. Although not listed in the cast credits on the film's website, Colin Ford and Maggie Elizabeth Jones who play Benjamin Mee's children are also worth mentioning for their fine acting - Maggie Elizabeth, who played Rosie, for instance, was adorable; by the end of the movie, I wanted to adopt her!
Based on a true story, this film recounts the experiences of the Mee family as they struggle to come to terms with life, death, loss and discovery, while trying to breathe new life into a run down zoo at risk of closure by the local authorities. We Bought a Zoo (DVD + Digital Copy) is a heartwarming comedy with many hilarious scenes. Although not listed in the cast credits on the film's website, Colin Ford and Maggie Elizabeth Jones who play Benjamin Mee's children are also worth mentioning for their fine acting - Maggie Elizabeth, who played Rosie, for instance, was adorable; by the end of the movie, I wanted to adopt her!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Miss Robinson
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
This is a lovely snuggle up on the sofa with your loved ones film. Yes, it's probably massively different from the true story it is based on but surely it would have to be in order to be entertaining enough! The love story of a heartbroken widower Matt Damon meeting Scarlett Johanson after buying a zoo where she is Head Keeper is a lovely one that will leave you feeling all cosy inside!
Definitely a must-watch!
Definitely a must-watch!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
WE BOUGHT A ZOO is a phenomenal family film starring Matt Damon (THE BOURNE FILMS) and Scarlett Johansson (AVENGERS ASSEMBLE) and directed by Cameron Crowe. This film had some of the best acting I have ever seen! Scarlett Johnansson was perfect as the zoo owner and, as usual, Matt Damon was brilliant, this time as the lead character Benjamin Mee. The storyline was very heartwarming and feel-good! Overall this film was extremely impressive and at times very surprising! 9.5/10!
The film is a PG, but it really should've been a 12 because of the language.
The film is a PG, but it really should've been a 12 because of the language.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Paulio
Format:Blu-ray
Me and my partner love animals, we love Zoo's. This film was ideal for us to go and see. It is a heartwarming tale, a journey. I don't wish to give out any spoilers but the title kinda already does that. I thoroughly enjoyed it and you may shed a tear a little ;). Will be purchased when released. I wouldn't mind visiting the zoo where it was filmed here in the UK.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Dad
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Heart-warming, moving, funny, and beautifully acted - We Bought A Zoo is a very enjoyable family movie that will both lift your spirits with its graceful humor, and make you reflect on life and family related issues thanks to the profound message it carries. It's a fantastic adaptation of Benjamin Mee's memoir, and one of the most delightful movies I've seen in recent months.
Colin Ford, who plays the troubled son, was absolutely fantastic in his role. Sympathetic and real, he really brought his character to life with his convincing acting. And so did Matt Damon. Now, I'm not a huge fan of Matt Damon, but I must admit that he really fit into this role perfectly. You could tell that he enjoyed himself and that definitely elevated his performance. Scarlett Johansson surprised me. To be honest, I did not think of Johansson when picturing Kelly Foster while reading the book. I imagined someone taller, tougher and more obviously kick-ars. And yet when I saw Johansson on the screen I knew she was the one! She wasn't her usual girly self, she appeared stronger and fiercer than ever, and I really loved that about her. She turned out to be the perfect girl for the role.
It's not very often that I prefer the movie adaptation over the book its based on, but that's exactly what happened with We Bought a Zoo. I enjoyed the book a lot, but I loved the movie even more. Maybe it's thanks to the fabulous cast and their expressiveness, maybe I loved the animals, or the soundtrack and the uplifting atmosphere it created. Or maybe it's a little bit of everything and how it all came together, exploring the complexity of life, family relationships, grief and love. I don't know. All I know is that I really loved this movie. It moved me. I feel that I learned something important while watching it.... Read more ›
Colin Ford, who plays the troubled son, was absolutely fantastic in his role. Sympathetic and real, he really brought his character to life with his convincing acting. And so did Matt Damon. Now, I'm not a huge fan of Matt Damon, but I must admit that he really fit into this role perfectly. You could tell that he enjoyed himself and that definitely elevated his performance. Scarlett Johansson surprised me. To be honest, I did not think of Johansson when picturing Kelly Foster while reading the book. I imagined someone taller, tougher and more obviously kick-ars. And yet when I saw Johansson on the screen I knew she was the one! She wasn't her usual girly self, she appeared stronger and fiercer than ever, and I really loved that about her. She turned out to be the perfect girl for the role.
It's not very often that I prefer the movie adaptation over the book its based on, but that's exactly what happened with We Bought a Zoo. I enjoyed the book a lot, but I loved the movie even more. Maybe it's thanks to the fabulous cast and their expressiveness, maybe I loved the animals, or the soundtrack and the uplifting atmosphere it created. Or maybe it's a little bit of everything and how it all came together, exploring the complexity of life, family relationships, grief and love. I don't know. All I know is that I really loved this movie. It moved me. I feel that I learned something important while watching it.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Pantheon
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Blu-ray
I bought this film because I really liked Jerry Maguire and Vanilla Sky (also directed by Cameron Crowe), Matt Damon as an actor, and because the premise of a guy with no experience of caring for animals buying a zoo sounded interesting. Going in I fully expected to be manipulated by the screenwriter and composer and subsequently had some tissues nearby. Yes, there are moments of predictability in the film; but in all cases they work because they are moments where, as a viewer, you WANT the cliché moment or predictable outcome. I thought the entire cast did a great job with the material. There was only one bit of mis-casting in my opinion; and that was Elle Fanning as Lily. She was playing younger than she actually is but is never convincing in the role. The story itself is inspirational and definitely made our household talk about how wonderful it would be to find the job of your dreams - a job you could actually love. So few of us ever get to experience that.
For anyone who loves feel-good, uplifting movies this is a must own.
The picture and sound quality are superb and the disc is region free. There are also quite a few extras, including a very interesting featurette on the real family and their zoo in Dartmoor.
For anyone who loves feel-good, uplifting movies this is a must own.
The picture and sound quality are superb and the disc is region free. There are also quite a few extras, including a very interesting featurette on the real family and their zoo in Dartmoor.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 539 reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good family film
QA great family film show the ups and downs of buying into a broke zoo and the effects such action has on a widower and his 2 young children
Published 1 day ago by Peter Brookman
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent film
excellent film.One for the ladies. Matt DAmon was fantastic as was scarlett Johansson. Very good value for the money.Oh yes
Published 4 days ago by TracyCragg
5.0 out of 5 stars
We Bought a Zoo (DVD + Digital Copy)
I think the film We Bought a Zoo (DVD + Digital Copy) has a great storyline and I thoroughly enjoyed it...
Published 6 days ago by Mr. C. J. Withers
5.0 out of 5 stars
We bought a Zoo
We Bought a Zoo is a 2011 comedy-drama/family film based on the 2008 memoir of the same name by Benjamin Mee. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Lenbo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Feel good film
This film has to be one of favs for the year!! It is such a feel good film and yet humerous so anyone would enjoy it. Read more
Published 16 days ago by Rachael
5.0 out of 5 stars
a great story
This is a great told by some great acting a movie that will stop in my family for some years thank you fantastic
Published 17 days ago by derek richard deacon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely family film
My grandchildren are animal mad and asked me to watch it with them. I thought it was a lovely film and enjoyable to watch with two young boys. Read more
Published 21 days ago by PattyB
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprise!
Watched this film as it was on tv,didt expect much. What a surprise, it's a great film and a true story. I would recommend everyone to watch this film.
Published 22 days ago by Mr. D. Shipley
4.0 out of 5 stars
We bought a zoo
We really enjoyed this film its a real good factor film and one for all the family just the ticket.
Published 27 days ago by Mrs Gabrielle Brumby
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent film would recommend it.
Super film for young and old (True story)
Funny, sad and love story altogether.
Very enjoyable, one of those films I'll watch again and again.
Funny, sad and love story altogether.
Very enjoyable, one of those films I'll watch again and again.
Published 1 month ago by Graham
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
