Movie Reviews: "We Bought a Zoo" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 12-23-2011, 08:41 PM

Movie Reviews: We Bought a Zoo

Cameron Crowe’s We Bought a Zoo seems to have divided critics down the middle. None of them have particular praise for it, but then again none are slamming it either.

Linda Barnard in the Toronto Star describes it as:

“an average movie that’s clearly been crafted to bring holiday families together over the popcorn machine.”

Michael Phillips in the Chicago Tribune comments:

“It's all pap, but easygoing pap with a cast you can live with for a couple of hours.”

The Boston Globe‘s Ty Burr presents an entire laundry list of complaints about the film, then crumples it up with the remark:

“Here’s the thing, though: We Bought a Zoo still won me over, and it may do the same for you. Crowe’s greatest gift as a filmmaker — it’s practically unique nowadays — is that he likes people.”

Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times also goes easy on the director.

“Cameron Crowe has made wonderful films, but here the pieces go together too easily, the plot is too inevitable, and we feel little real energy between the players. It’s pitched at a lower level of ambition.”

On the other hand, Betsy Sharkey of the Los Angeles Times finds much to like about the film.

She comments: “In lesser hands, a film so unashamed of its sentiment, so affectionate about its characters, so uplifting in its message would have landed in the maw of mushy that so often devours films like these.

Instead we have an intelligent family film, a rarity, and while not quite Crowe at his absolute best, it carries his humanistic imprint.”

Manohla Dargis in the New York Times concludes:

“The creaks groans and clichés of the screenplay are more than offset by the attractiveness of the performers, those with two legs and more. Some may not like the happy ending, but it’s a seductive ideal when all of God’s creatures, great and small, buxom and blond, exist in such harmony.”

-IMDB News

Schmoopie · 12-27-2011, 01:35 AM

Wow, surprised to see that this got bad reviews, but that won't deter me from seeing it eventually.

Tubehead · 12-28-2011, 06:00 AM

imsurspared it got bad revie i guess you had to like soul sufrer or a doplhin tale it more like them stories i liked it a lot.

spunkygirl · 12-30-2011, 01:47 PM

Everyone I know who's seen it, loved it.

Critics, why do they even have jobs again? They serve no purpose at all

12-23-2011, 08:41 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,121	Movie Reviews: "We Bought a Zoo" Movie Reviews: We Bought a Zoo Cameron Crowe’s We Bought a Zoo seems to have divided critics down the middle. None of them have particular praise for it, but then again none are slamming it either. Linda Barnard in the Toronto Star describes it as: “an average movie that’s clearly been crafted to bring holiday families together over the popcorn machine.” Michael Phillips in the Chicago Tribune comments: “It's all pap, but easygoing pap with a cast you can live with for a couple of hours.” The Boston Globe‘s Ty Burr presents an entire laundry list of complaints about the film, then crumples it up with the remark: “Here’s the thing, though: We Bought a Zoo still won me over, and it may do the same for you. Crowe’s greatest gift as a filmmaker — it’s practically unique nowadays — is that he likes people.” Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times also goes easy on the director. “Cameron Crowe has made wonderful films, but here the pieces go together too easily, the plot is too inevitable, and we feel little real energy between the players. It’s pitched at a lower level of ambition.” On the other hand, Betsy Sharkey of the Los Angeles Times finds much to like about the film. She comments: “In lesser hands, a film so unashamed of its sentiment, so affectionate about its characters, so uplifting in its message would have landed in the maw of mushy that so often devours films like these. Instead we have an intelligent family film, a rarity, and while not quite Crowe at his absolute best, it carries his humanistic imprint.” Manohla Dargis in the New York Times concludes: “The creaks groans and clichés of the screenplay are more than offset by the attractiveness of the performers, those with two legs and more. Some may not like the happy ending, but it’s a seductive ideal when all of God’s creatures, great and small, buxom and blond, exist in such harmony.” -IMDB News

12-27-2011, 01:35 AM	#2
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Wow, surprised to see that this got bad reviews, but that won't deter me from seeing it eventually.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

12-28-2011, 06:00 AM	#3
Tubehead Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 12, 2007 Location: chattanooga.tn Posts: 5,139	imsurspared it got bad revie i guess you had to like soul sufrer or a doplhin tale it more like them stories i liked it a lot.

12-30-2011, 01:47 PM	#4
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,563	Everyone I know who's seen it, loved it. Critics, why do they even have jobs again? They serve no purpose at all