WE BOUGHT A ZOO

WE BOUGHT A ZOO 

WE BOUGHT A ZOO: B

The first half hour or so, I thought this film was nothing more than a Hallmark,generic, feel good family film with cheap, cliched writing, predictable dialog and forced emotion. 

Yet the film progressed as it went on and won me over with honest scenes, supported by strong a strong story that allowed for a genuine and sincere payoff. 

The performance of Matt Damon was the film's strongest point. It wasn't a role that just anyone could have pulled off. He did very well with it.

Movies today don't always earn their endings. This film did. When Damon's character climbed over the tree at the end and saw the huge crowd of people, I felt the intense rush of relief and joy right along with him.

The scene with Damon's character explaining to his children how he and their mother met at first seemed silly and ridiculous. Yet it pleasantly surprised me with its unique cleverness.

I also enjoyed the scene where Damon's character reveals to his son that he is going to use his picture for advertising. "I'm your fan" was a real connection between father and son.

Lastly, I loved the scene where he fired the accountant.

And one more random thought.

I don't like snakes. I never have. Yet the scene where the son kicked the snake really bothered me If there were a venomous one around that could potentially hurt me or someone I love, I'd kill it. Yet, I don't like to see people hurting them without just cause. If the snake didn't do anything to you, then don't do anything to it. I'm surprised by my own emotion to this, seeing how I've never been a big fan of snakes.