Rated PG
2 hours 5 minutes

Matt Damon
Scarlett Johansson
Thomas Haden Church

Let’s get the new year off to a good start. What the family audience needs is a good, solid movie that doesn’t offend your intelligence and doesn’t need a 3-D gimmick.

We Bought a Zoo is just such a movie, combining warmth and humor into a highly appealing package. Matt Damon’s still getting over his wife’s death. His need for a change of scenery causes conflict with his kids.

We Bought a Zoo is just what you want in a family friendly film that’s long on emotional connection without reporting to artificial sweeteners. Writer-Director Cameron Crowe never takes his audience for granted, especially setting up Damon’s relationship with Zookeeper Scarlett Johansson.

To me a fine family film is one that delights the children and at the same time keeps the grown ups entertained on a different level. And We Bought a Zoo measures up beautifully.

And If you’re waiting for some syrupy predictable romance between Damon and Johansson, you’ll find the picture’s much better than that.

You’ll have no trouble buying into this charming, feel good film. We Bought A Zoo had me eating out of its hand with 3 stars.

Come to think of it, I’ve never seen a Matt Damon film that I didn’t like.