We b*ght a Zoo

[stuartboy]

Disappointing to hear that this was indeed based on a British family in a British zoo. Why did Hollywood have to poach the story and set it over there? We have plenty of actors who could have filled the role admirably (OK - perhaps not Daniel Radcliffe again), and plenty of scenery that would have served as location too. Looks like we missed a trick. Again.

[Beate]

Can someone keep us balcony seats please?

[weliveandbreathewords]

Saw this today, thought it was a very heart-warming film, LOVED the animals, especially Spar and Solomon.
Handled a harsh topic very well in my opinion, did cry like a baby, the whole thing reminded me about what I use to do with my uncle!
Matt Damon's acting I found cringeworthy, thought he was playing the same character as he did in Contagion, not very flexible :S
Nice to see Scarlett Johanson doing something other than flaunting her looks/body! Thought she looked like anice girl next door type in her puffy jumper and boots!
The one thing I would really nitpick at though is the fact that it was completely americanised.
Can imagine the pitch now:
"Let's do a film about that zoo in Dartmoor! Thatd be an emotional story! "
"Yes that a great idea! On too Roosevelt for filming!"
/facepalm

England can't be THAT bad surely?

Either way me and my mate liked it 7/10 from us^^

[canadian_turtle]

I thought this was a very charming film that wasn't over the top sentimental (though I did cry). I really liked both Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson's portrayals of the characters, but it was probably Thomas Haden Church and Elle Fanning who, while both playing minor characters, really stood out to me (you know, other than the fantastic animals!).

Did anyone else think the little girl looked she could've been the child of Rachel Weisz or Marion Cotillard? She was incredibly adorable, though her acting was most of the time very fake (but then, she is only 7 or so).

Still, a sweet Sunday afternoon family film that's getting an 8.5/10 from me.


(the audience however was once more terrible! A group of laughing hyenas on our right, Farty McFartypants in front of us and someone spastically tapping their foot behind us, ugh!)

[anakin]

Did anyone else think the little girl looked she could've been the child of Rachel Weisz or Marion Cotillard? She was incredibly adorable, though her acting was most of the time very fake (but then, she is only 7 or so).

Or the dreaded ScarJo herself...?

[canadian_turtle]

How come dreaded? I like her! And other than the lips I don't think so, her face looked a lot like a mix of Rachel and Marion though.

[anakin]

Dreaded cos I can't stand her. It was the lips that made me think it.

Thanks to whoever posted the Guardian links. Interesting to read how much the story was altered for the movie...

[Beate]

These 2pm starts aren't good for me. I somehow totally miscalculated when to leave to be there in time for balcony seats (you have to be there an hour before at least) and at 20 to 1 I suddenly tought, "Yikes, we better get going!" We then missed a train which added another 5 minutes and didn't arrive before 1.15pm, red-faced and panting (OH more than me). The first thing the usher at the top of the stairs asked us was whether we had seats already. "Er, no?" "Hum. Oh well, only 2 of you, you might be able to find seats together, if not, let me know." Uh-oh, that didn't sound good. And indeed, most seats were taken already, and when I saw an aisle seat that looked empty I was told it wasn't by the girl next to it. Then put something on it, you twit, coat, bag, anything will do! I really think some people just like having empty seats next to them and act totally antisocial. Luckily, evilzadi spotted us and said there were two seats next to her. Then we spotted 2 more in front of us and decided to block them for friends. Unfortunately, a_person and funthing29 weren't allowed upstairs (they give up too easily), so we held them for hopeprince and her little niece who managed to come up. ZoeBanfield got the last empty seat behind us at 5 to 2. We also saw hdaniel82 + OH who disappeared somewhere in the middle section.

The film, what can I say - manipulative. Luckily, I am manipulated easily so I really enjoyed this although it went on a bit too long - the last scene in the cafe was not necessary in my opinion and should have been cut. Why? Why not? And, it really is too cliched. It might be based on a true story, but you feel the Hollywood treatment in every scene. When [spoiler]Matt Damon and Hot Lips Johannson kissed[/spoiler] a little boy piped up from somewhere: "I knew that was gonna happen!" Everyone giggled and craned their necks to find out where it was coming from. I thought too much was made out of him being a widower as well, instead of concentrating on the adventure of running a zoo.

The kids in my vicinity were getting restless in the second hour - I don't think they enjoyed it as much as they could have if it had been cut by half an hour or so. Scary animals and shouting matches between father and son might not have been cute enough for them.

8/10

[Beate]

Everybody knows women are rubbish at directions (scientific fact) but being the gentleman I am I will concede that I may have gone to the wrong venue.

steve, are you still alive or have you been clubbed to death by the women in your vicinity for this sexist comment yet?

[Celini]

The Hollywood treatment was (unfortunately) probably the only way to get some cash for the actual zoo

Was I the only one to think that lil'Rosie looks more like she would be 5 than 7?
(I do know that she is 7 in the real life)