We Bought a Zoo Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A widowed dad impulsively buys a zoo to impress his daughter and accidentally becomes a zookeeper, teaching his angsty son about love and courage along the way, despite having zero experience and questionable financial decisions.

🍿 We Bought a Zoo: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Family in Grief

Benjamin Mee, a recently widowed father, struggles to cope with the loss of his wife, Katherine, while also trying to raise his two children, Dylan and Rosie. Dylan, a troubled teenager, expresses his grief through dark artwork, leading to expulsion from school. Rosie, the younger daughter, is more outwardly optimistic but still deeply misses her mother. Benjamin, feeling lost and wanting a fresh start, decides to move his family to a new home.

The Unexpected Zoo

While searching for a new home, the Mee family stumbles upon a unique property: a large house situated on the grounds of a struggling zoo. Rosie immediately falls in love with the animals, convincing Benjamin to make an impulsive decision to buy the entire property, including the zoo. This decision is met with resistance from Dylan, who is already struggling to adjust, and from Benjamin’s brother, Duncan, who questions the financial viability of such an endeavor. Benjamin, however, is determined to make it work, seeing it as a way to heal his family and find new purpose.

Reviving Rosemoor Animal Park

With the help of the dedicated zookeeping staff, led by the resourceful Kelly Foster, Benjamin embarks on the challenging task of renovating and reopening the zoo. The zoo faces numerous obstacles, including financial difficulties, dilapidated facilities, and a looming inspection that could determine its fate. Benjamin must learn quickly about animal care, zoo management, and how to navigate the complex world of zoo regulations. The process of revitalizing the zoo becomes a metaphor for the family’s own healing journey.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon): A recently widowed father and former journalist who impulsively buys a zoo to provide a fresh start for his grieving family.
• Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson): The experienced head zookeeper who helps Benjamin navigate the challenges of running the struggling zoo and forms a connection with him.
• Dylan Mee (Colin Ford): Benjamin’s troubled teenage son who struggles with his mother’s death and initially resists his father’s decision to move to the zoo.
• Rosie Mee (Maggie Elizabeth Jones): Benjamin’s cheerful and optimistic young daughter who immediately embraces the zoo and finds joy in the animals.
• Duncan Mee (Thomas Haden Church): Benjamin’s pragmatic older brother and accountant, who provides support and skeptical advice regarding the zoo venture.
• Lily Miska (Elle Fanning): Kelly’s cousin who works at the zoo and develops a heartwarming relationship with Dylan.
• Walter Ferris (John Michael Higgins): The strict and meticulous zoo inspector who presents a significant obstacle to Benjamin’s efforts to reopen the zoo.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Benjamin Mee: “You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.” – Benjamin shares his philosophy on taking chances, inspiring Dylan to pursue his feelings for Lily.
• Benjamin Mee: “Why not?” – When asked by Kelly why he would buy a zoo despite not knowing anything about zoo management.
• Duncan Mee: “I’m an accountant. I like things to add up.” – Said to Benjamin to express his incredulity and disapproval over the zoo purchase.
• Rosie Mee: “Yay! We’re getting a zoo!” – Rosie’s enthusiastic reaction upon learning that the house they are considering buying comes with a zoo.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $50,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $75,624,550
• Worldwide Gross: $120,081,841

💥 We Bought a Zoo Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘We Bought a Zoo’! It’s one of those movies that just makes you feel good. I teared up when they finally opened the zoo after all their struggles. The scene where Matt Damon explains to his kids where he first met their mother was so impactful. I think families would really enjoy watching it together because of how relatable it is to all walks of life.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families looking for a heartwarming movie”
  • “Animal lovers”
  • “Fans of Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson”
  • “Viewers who enjoy feel-good stories about overcoming adversity”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Deals with grief and loss”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Thematic elements related to death and dying”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While undeniably heartwarming and well-acted, ‘We Bought a Zoo’ occasionally veers into overly sentimental territory, preventing it from reaching its full potential as a truly great family film. Damon delivers a strong performance, but the script sometimes relies too heavily on familiar tropes.
• IMDB: “‘We Bought a Zoo’ is the feel good movie of the year, with Matt Damon giving a good performance in his role, though there is the over abundance of a series of predictable, but not regrettable events to come.
• Common Sense Media: “This movie has many good values and is not short of heart-tugging and inspirational themes, however contains a few unnecessary scenes that push the PG ratings to its limit and is best viewed by older teens and adults.

Audience Reactions

The heartwarming story and excellent performances resonated deeply with viewers, bringing a sense of hope and joy.: The movie’s ability to balance humor and emotion, along with the beautiful cinematography and soundtrack, made it a memorable experience.

Overall Consensus: A feel-good family film with strong performances and a heartwarming story, though some find it overly sentimental.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the memoir of the same name by Benjamin Mee, detailing his real-life experience of buying and running Dartmoor Zoological Park in Devon, England.”
• “During filming, Matt Damon visited the real Dartmoor Zoological Park to prepare for his role.”
• “Director Cameron Crowe specifically chose Jónsi, the lead singer of the Icelandic band Sigur Rós, to compose the film’s score, citing his ability to create emotionally resonant music.”

🖥️ How to Watch We Bought a Zoo?

We Bought a Zoo is available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV, where you can rent or purchase the movie. Check local listings for television airings. Physical copies (DVDs and Blu-rays) can be purchased from major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, offering options for those who prefer owning a hard copy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed We Bought a Zoo, you might like these similar films:

• October Sky (1999): Both films explore themes of overcoming adversity and pursuing dreams against all odds, with a strong father-son dynamic.
• Secondhand Lions (2003): Both films involve a young boy spending time with eccentric relatives in a rural setting, leading to personal growth and adventure.
• Finding Neverland (2004): Both films deal with grief and the healing power of imagination and creativity in a family setting.
• Akeelah and the Bee (2006): Both films focus on a child overcoming obstacles to achieve a specific goal, highlighting themes of determination and community support.

🛒 We Bought a Zoo Related Products

• We Bought a Zoo [Blu-ray]: Own the heartwarming story on Blu-ray with exclusive bonus content. The high-definition visuals bring the zoo and its animal inhabitants to life in stunning detail. Includes deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Dartmoor Zoo: The Inspiration for We Bought a Zoo: Read the incredible true story behind the film, straight from Benjamin Mee himself. Discover the real-life challenges and triumphs of transforming a dilapidated zoo into a thriving wildlife sanctuary. Features exclusive photos and insights not seen in the movie.
• Zookeeper Costume: Dress up as the Head Zookeeper, and run your own zoo at home! Includes shirt, cap, khakis. Perfect for Halloween, costume parties, or just everyday adventures.
• Jónsi – We Bought A Zoo (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Immerse yourself in the film’s beautiful score, composed by Jónsi of Sigur Rós. This digital download includes all the evocative tracks that perfectly complement the movie’s emotional moments and stunning visuals. Experience the music that captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.

🎧 Soundtrack

We Bought a Zoo features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Gathering Stories” – performed by Jónsi
• “Go Do” – performed by Jónsi
• “Don’t Come Around Here No More” – performed by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

MATT DAMON kissed SCARLETT JOHANSSON and this happened 😂

Curious about what happened when Matt Damon kissed Scarlett Johansson on set? This hilarious interview clip reveals the funny story behind it, giving you an entertaining glimpse into the making of ‘We Bought a Zoo’.

Elle Fanning & Colin Ford on The Rosie Show – 8th December 2011 Part 1

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a young actor on a movie set? Join Elle Fanning and Colin Ford as they chat about their experiences filming ‘We Bought a Zoo’, sharing their thoughts and behind-the-scenes stories.

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