We Bought a Zoo - 10 stars out of 10

We Bought a Zoo - 10 stars out of 10

"We Bought a Zoo" is that family-friendly film with cinematic integrity that we have been craving for so long!  Although some liberties have been taken from the real life events, this stories carries a poignancy that will touch your heart through a widower who is doing his best.  Each character has depth and potential for growth, including Matt Damon as the grieving father, Colin Ford as the stubborn teen, Maggie Elizabeth Jones as the cute-as-a-button daughter, and Scarlett Johansson as the overworked (and completely gorgeous) zookeeper.  The film blends the humor and cute animal moments that children love with dramatic overtones that will ring with adults without creating a dark mood.  J.B. Smoove is hilarious as the real estate agent and John Michael Higgins' character is very well written, but the family provides the driving force to emotionally engage audience members with their tragic and oft-frustrating circumstances.  I can testify to this empathetic experience as I cried several times throughout the movie, touched by the family's ability to overcome adversity by sticking together (the design for the zoo reopening poster) and the unexpected happy resolution.  "We Bought a Zoo" is clean family fun while providing adults with a little more than a stagnant plot and fart jokes.