MovieChat Forums > We Bought a Zoo (2011) Discussion > Why so much hate?

Why so much hate?

posted 11 years ago by alien_surfer_05
30 replies | jump to latest

I just watched this on HBO and I thought it was pretty good. Obviously this isn't top-shelf movie magic, but it was exactly what I expected it to be. Ive read a lot of posts on this thread with many people complaining about the little girl being "TOO cute" and not whiney enough. I personally know kids just like that. Not every child is a monster, begging for cookies and video games. Other posts are complaining of too much profanity, but I really didn't even notice. Maybe I missed it because I had to get up a couple times, but I didn't miss that much of the movie for someone to complain about the amount of swearing. I didn't see the commentary that's on the DVD, where most people say it's highly inappropriate for kids, but wouldn't you prescreen unedited portions of a movie before you turn it on for your children. I haven't met many children who are willing to sit and listen to commentary anyway.

Overall I thought the film was fairly uplifting. The angsty teen drama was a little annoying but it's annoying when it's happening in front of you in any venue. Sure there were some cheesy moments and maybe the music seemed too much. It's a movie. Maybe critiquing it so much is what made you miss the main message.

[–] Nanosecond 11 years ago

I don't understand the hate either, alien. The film lived up to exactly my expectations. I'm just glad I watched it on HBO. Nothing really annoyed me about the film except the non-existent chemistry between Damon and Johansson.

"EVERYONE!!!!!" -Stansfield, The Professional

[–] sea_monkey_junkie 11 years ago

My main complaint was the unbelievably annoying soundtrack. Way too grandiose for such a nothing little film. Film music should accentuate the film, not elbow its way to center stage.

I walked out of the room 1/2 to 3/4 of the way through the movie while my friend continued to watch. Judging from the grand, swelling chorus of voices, I could have sworn the zookeepers had gone on to saving the world, curing all diseases, and reuniting loved ones separated by death.

People watching may not notice, but the soundtrack seemed to constantly rotate between the same two or three tracks over and over.

Other reasons why I disliked the movie were the cookie-cutter cartoonish overacting characters, and the overly made-up Elle Fanning---12 or 13 years old, but looked 20.

[–] forthesafetyofpuppies 9 years ago

My main complaint was the unbelievably annoying soundtrack. Way too grandiose for such a nothing little film. Film music should accentuate the film, not elbow its way to center stage.

Cameron Crowe's trademark. Vanilla Sky is one big music video.

___
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qssvnjj5Moo

[–] chas437 11 years ago

It doesn't matter what the film is, a bunch of people just come on these boards to trash it, and all the actors in it. To me it shows insecurity and unhappiness in people these days. If they can come here and hate on everything, it makes them feel better about themselves.

This isn't the greatest film ever made, but its a nice, charming, typical Cameron Crowe feel good movie. I don't see any reason to trash it. If you don't like it, just leave it alone.

[–] always_keep_fighting 11 years ago

I couldn't agree more with chas437. It's a heartwarming story of a widower trying to make a new life for him and his children. And who wouldn't dream of going to sleep at night with the sound of wild animals in the background?
I don't understand all the hate, either. If you didn't like it, just change the station. If it was an offensive movie, controversial, etc., then I could understand people getting all bent about it. But it's kind of like screaming, "I HATE PUPPIES!!" to say that you hated this show. It was what it was meant to be...inspriring and sweet. I actually gave it a 9, and that's rare for me. I've also taped it for the grandies to see; I think they'll love it.
Nice to see something that I really like that doesn't have any shooting, nudity, explosions, fighting, etc. Very positive film. (And I LOVE shooting, explosions, all that stuff!!)

"What's that? Bag o' tricks?" Glory
"No. Bag o' knives." Willow

[–] alien_surfer_05 11 years ago

I actually do like the more violent movies as well. Not necessarily more than the non-violent ones, but like them none the less. I still found this movie to be fairly entertaining. The music may have been a bit much, but I think they were just trying to draw attention the majesty of the animals. In this case I didn't really notice as much as in other movies. Like I said originally though, I got up a few times so it took my attention away from the music because I was trying to figure out what'd happened when I got up.

[–] sea_monkey_junkie 11 years ago

Well, zoos are horrible prisons for animals. Animals should roam free in their own habitats, finding their own food, eluding predators, etc.

There is no God. Free yourself from the oppression of religion.

[–] boxerrebellion 10 years ago

Interesting thought. We recently moved from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (the US Base there) to the mid-Atlantic. When a portion of our boxes were delivered (packed by the company contracted by the US gov't) at our new home, my daughter noticed some scratchy noises coming from the pile. We isolated the box, and being rather familiar with the fauna of GTMO were concerned that it could be the juvenile of an endangered species, namely the Cuban rock iguana (totally COOL reptile). We called a local wildlife sanctuary... knowing full well that a) non-indigenous species should not be introduced (google Florida and python) and b) Cuban reptiles could not survive mid-Atlantic Autumn, much less winter. The caretaker met us, opened the box and it was a Cuban version of a curly tail (rather large, at that). He had been hiding inside a flipper used for snorkeling and had probably crawled in the evening before the packers had arrived at our previous home.

So, what do you suggest be done with this hitchhiker? Sure, the sanctuary could have killed it. Fed it to a local larger reptile. Let it lose and hope it didn't destroy some local flora/fauna before the temperature dropped. Hmmm that sanctuary (AKA a ZOO) isn't sounding so much like a prison now, is it? By the way, that is the way that a FL zoo got one of those endangered Cuban rock iguanas - it stowed away on the biweekly barge that takes supplies to GTMO on its return trip. I suspect that is how the National Zoo in DC came to house a rodent known to GTMOites affectionately as a banana rat (hutia) several years ago.

[–] wildnfreespirit 9 years ago

I realize it is to long away since your post but if you see this the Florida Fish and Wildlife has give your exotic pets amnesty day where you can give up exotic's and not be penalized and they try to find homes for them the same day with registered and screened pet owners, zoos, sanctuaries and other places that will take good care of these animals. Port of Miami brings in many exotics even in their tank ballasts including mollusks and more so now laws have been strictly administered about dumping tank ballasts in port so we don't end up with nonnative species flora and fauna that have no natural predators. I saw this movie and I liked it. Since I do not have little ones around I didn't notice anything about language or such but I have seen a lot worse on TV but this movie is one that my niece could watch if I remember it correctly. Its been awhile since I saw the movie but it was a good movie to me. We need more feel good movies and a bit less so called "reality" TV that catapult people to fame who sends the wrong message to kids like the "K" sisters and clan. I am a progressive modern day woman but I still believe that kids need to get to be kids cause they will be adults way longer than being a kid and this is truly time to enjoy life and often sets the mold for who they may become in this world. Since they saying goes, "Children are the future," lets give them the best chance possible and lets get them off the couches and outside playing baseball and doing chores so they can learn responsibility. What the haters also known as internet trolls, although I think haters is a better word cause its more clear about who they are but anyway the haters are going to hate so ignore them. Let them get out of their chair and go get cast in a movie, do a beach cleanup, be a big brother or big sister and stop spreading their whiny complaining to do something positive in their own community then this world might sort itself out to be a better place.

take care
Lisa A Wallace

[–] GSmith9072 11 years ago

"It doesn't matter what the film is, a bunch of people just come on these boards to trash it, and all the actors in it. To me it shows insecurity and unhappiness in people these days. If they can come here and hate on everything, it makes them feel better about themselves."

It's a movie board for movie opinions...positive AND negative. For some reasons some idiots can't understand this.

BUGS

[–] chas437 11 years ago

I agree, these boards are for movie opinions, positive and negative. But a lot of these negative posts just come off as mean spirited and troll-like. I draw a sharp distinction between posts which express negative sentiments about a film which are merited and supported by examples and rational arguements, and flatout baseless insults, such as "worst film ever made", or "this actor looks ugly". These hate posts are particularily out of line when it comes to an innocent family film like this one.

[–] wyliec 11 years ago

Agreeing here too. My wife and I watched and as the credits rolled we looked at each other and said '8'. We enjoyed the movie for what it was, happy entertainment.

There are obvious trolls on these boards whose only ability to garner attention is to be incredibly rude. One could state their opinion politely that they didn't enjoy the movie and leave it at that - everyone is entitled to their opinon. The over-the-top trashing is an obvious and pitiful attempt at significance...

[–] NightRider2000 11 years ago

Wow! As I was reading this thread, I was just thinking the same thing, and BOOM; I read yout post. I agree 110%. It's people who are so angry and bitter about their lives who come in here and type trash to try and make themselves feel better! Simple as that! The story is about a family who has lost their Wife/Mother and are trying to pick up the pieces. The Main character believes in something, goes out on a limb, and in the end is triumphant(I guess the haters see a movie like this and since they have probably failed in everything) come in here and trash it. This is not the Shawshank Redemption, etc..but it is a good film, excellent acting all-around, great soundtrack as well. To all you angry, miserable, insecure people, go choke on a chicken bone or DO something to improve your lives! This movie is about LIFE, not a Zoo, per se! Based on a true story

[–] Prismark10 11 years ago

The film was just too predictable and even a little bit boring. It was plotted from A-Z and went accordingly to that route.

Its that man again!!

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] theperfectmarysuekiller 10 years ago

You basically just said "People only hate this because they have self worth issues. It is impossible that anyone could genuinely dislike the film for any rekason, because I didn't!"

[–] krazyj2472002 11 years ago

I must have been in the right mood or something, because I adored this movie. I found it funny, touching and life affirming.

[–] lincolns_knight 11 years ago

I just watched it and was pleasantly surprised. A perfect movie to watch over the holidays. The haters HATE themselves but this is their chance to feel important in life. LIKE THEY COULD EVER DIRECT OR ACT? HA!

[–] araccoon 11 years ago

to everybody who posted in this particular thread

the beauty of this flick wasn't about the "announced" story line
the beauty was about the things the actors talked about
it was about the human zoo

crap....don't let the www let you fall into other people's ruts
become your own rut

[–] StarskyandChinaHutch 11 years ago

Some spotty castings/acting jobs, sort of predictable, and car commercial music. That is why.

Who busts the Crimebusters?

[–] emvan 11 years ago

Here's a theory: I think that even people who really liked the movie will admit that the first 10 minutes or so are really pretty poor. They basically never solved the problem of making the characters distinctive in a context other than that of the zoo. The dialogue in these opening scenes is clunky, obvious, predictable.

Well, a lot of people make their minds up quickly and are literally incapable of changing them. They'll see everything that happens after the first 10-15 minutes through the filter of having already decided the movie is bad.

In fact, once they've bought the zoo, the movie comes alive and ends up being quite solid. I have no trouble giving it a B (*** out of *****). It has a lot of obvious plot turns, but only the rainstorm / sudden sunny day stretches credulity, and (except for the inspector, who seems to have dropped in from a much broader comedy) the important characters are well-drawn and very well-played.

Folks complaining about the little girl are, I think, definitely suffering from this quick and inflexible judgment. She was given a lot of genuinely fresh and interesting and clever bits to do and say and made them believable and not too precious. In fact, I can't think of a more successful super-cute-kid performance in recent memory.

Prepare your minds for a new scale of physical, scientific values, gentlemen.