Jack Goes Confidential: Cameron Crowe’s ‘Zoo’ Delivers Exceptional Family-Fun

Typecasting a film as a ‘Family Movie’ can often backfire…

It’s such a broad term and can be a turnoff to adult moviegoers. Well we’ve got two such branded cinematic entries in Kansas City this holiday weekend and the good news is that both do the description justice.

The first is director Cameron (JERRY MAGUIRE) Crowe’s funny, inspirational true story about the magical power of family to persevere in the face of extraordinary challenges.

In WE BOUGHT A ZOO, recently widowed father Matt Damon wants to move away from it all. Give his kids a freshy start and outlook. That’s when he buys an old estate attached—and part of—a delapidated wildlife park.
In other words he bought a zoo that’s at least 9 miles from the nearest Target store and in bad need of refurbishing.

Scarlett Johansson is the caretaker of its 200 animal inhabitants.

Is Damon now in over his head? What do you think?

Suffice it to say, it all works and delivers a cross between BLIND SIDE and MARLEY & ME— with touches of TERMS OF ENDEARMENT in the mix.

WE BOUGHT A ZOO also features Thomas Haden Church and Elle Fanning, Dakota’s sister.

I’m recommending it with 3-1/2 out of 5 family-friendly fingers.