We Bought a Zoo [Original Soundtrack]
by Jónsi
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Dec 13, 2011
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. Uncut
    Mar 14, 2012
    80
    It's certainly easy to believe that these sublime pieces could have inspired such a profound reaction [from director Cameron Crowe]. [Apr 2012, p.81]
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  2. The A.V. Club
    Jan 3, 2012
    75
    This collection stands as a fine next step in Jónsi's evolving career.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Dec 7, 2011
    75
    It feels more or less indistinguishable from a Sigur Rós album.
  5. BBC Music
    Mar 8, 2012
    70
    Jónsi is on form.
  6. AllMusic
    Dec 13, 2011
    70
    A wonderfully imaginative score which deserves some recognition come awards season.
  7. Consequence
    Dec 8, 2011
    70
    Much has changed sonically for the musician. The group's extraterrestrial instrumentation has left orbit and struck Earth.
  8. Pitchfork
    Dec 7, 2011
    70
    It's all lovely and certainly more immediately engaging and compact than Jónsi's mostly-instrumental Riceboy Sleeps multimedia project from 2009.
  9. The Independent (UK)
    Mar 15, 2012
    60
    He's devised a musical backdrop that subtly evokes the innocence, warmth and zoophiliac empathy of the film's message.
  10. PopMatters
    Jan 13, 2012
    60
    We Bought a Zoo is good enough to quench our thirst for either a new Jónsi or Sigur Rós album.
  11. Slant Magazine
    Dec 12, 2011
    60
    We Bought a Zoo might just hook newcomers who are intrigued by what they hear.
  12. Under The Radar
    Dec 7, 2011
    60
    The highs and lows of Sigur Rós and Jónsi sandpapered to a Prozac-worthy sheen, We Bought a Zoo is a sweet stopgap, but no substitute for a proper follow up.
  13. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 20, 2012
    50
    It's as dreamy and atmospheric as you might expect, but the truth is that only a handful of Jónsi's 15 tunes here really work without the context of some CGI tigers.
  14. Mojo
    Jul 18, 2012
    40
    It can perfectly capture the film's conflicted moods of sadness and euphoria, but just as easily turn cloying and sickly. [Jun 2012, p.87]
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User Reviews

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User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. Bookmaster
    Dec 23, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. A well made score, focused highly around piano, orchestra, and vocals. These OST is far too great for such a humble movie where the plot in it's entirety is titular. You will be wasting $15 to see this movie in theaters, but the the money spent on this track will not be wasted money. Or maybe it will. I don't know what you do with these songs. A passionate night of love? Something to play to your cat? All I know is, these are songs, and you have ears, so it's a 70% chance you like it. In today's economy, that's pretty good. About 40% good. No, 50%. That's all for this review, see the documentary about it called; "I Wrote a Review". By James Cameron.… Full Review »
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