We Bought a Zoo - review

Featuring Family Friendly Audio Track The Whole Family Will Go Wild for this Heartwarming Adventure Starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson On Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download April 3rd

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment presents an inspiring adventure based on a true story of one man who brought a zoo back to life and family back together in WE BOUGHT A ZOO, arriving on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download April 3. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire) and starring Matt Damon (Contagion, True Grit), Scarlett Johansson (Iron Man 2, Vicky Cristina Barcelona) and Thomas Haden Church (Easy A, Sideways), WE BOUGHT A ZOO is “a sweet-natured tale…that you’ll want to see with your kids” (Liz Braun, Jam! Movies).

Benjamin Mee (Damon) is a Los Angeles newspaper columnist and adventure writer who, as a single father, faces the challenges of raising his two young children. Hoping that a fresh start and a new life will restore their family spirit, Mee quits his job and buys an old rural house outside the city with a unique bonus feature: a zoo named the Rosemoor Animal Park, where dozens of animals reside under the care of head zookeeper Kelly Foster (Johansson) and her dedicated team. With no experience, limited time and a shoestring budget, Mee sets out with the support of his family and the local community to reopen the zoo. Now, Benjamin is no longer reporting an adventure story; he’s living it in his own backyard.

Featuring an incredible musical score composed by Jónsi of the band Sigur Rós, the WE BOUGHT A ZOO Blu-ray is loaded with over 2½ hours of special features including 20 deleted and extended scenes, a gag reel, four behind-the-scenes featurettes, commentary with Director Cameron Crowe, star J.B. Smoove (The Sitter, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and Editor Mark Livolsi, and more. The film also features an English Family Friendly Audio Track that earned the Dove Seal of Approval. The Blu-ray and DVD will be available for an average retail price of $24.99 and $19.99 respectively.

Thoughts from OHM:
The girls and I snuggled into my bed to watch this the other night when I wasn't feeling all that well. A snuggly movie night with a heartwarming flick was JUST what we needed! There are just so many great things to say about this movie! Matt Damon was  so personable/joe shmoe in this (swoon!), and I loved this character for Scarlett Johansson, the kids were amazing, and it was also really nice to see Patrick Fugit again! This movie really got to me, and i found myself with tears in my eyes quite a few times...the disconnect between the son and father really hit home :(
Hero, 11, managed to make it through all 2 hours, and said that she really enjoyed it. But Orangie, 7, only made it about half-hour in and then decided to read in bed instead. It was just a bit over her head.
My only complaint is that for a family-friendly movie, there is a line in it regarding the 7 yr old daughter still believing in the Easter Bunny..the daughter hears and says 'What about the Easter Bunny??'...to which Orangie suddenly hears and says to me 'Yeah mom, what about the Easter Bunny??" *SIGH*
The line just didn't need to be in there. But again, it's my only complaint..I'll let it go.
I still absolutely LOVE the movie, and it's a wonderful addition to our collection.

 

** I was sent a promotional copy of this movie for review purposes. As always you got my honest opinion, your opinion may differ. **