Movies Reviews

Rio – Movie Review

By Anne Brodie Apr 15, 2011, 13:37 GMT

RIO is a 3D motion picture event from Blue Sky Studios, the makers of the “Ice Age” films and one of the most successful producers of animated feature films in the world. The comedy-adventure centers on Blu, a rare macaw who leaves the comforts of his cage in small town Minnesota for the exotic wonders of Rio de Janeiro. But Blu’s new life and adventures in Rio are complicated by ...more

The high level of artistry in Rio is no accident.  The film was created by the minds behind those irresistible and stunning to look at Ice Age animated shorts. And note – a new one runs before the feature. The detail, sweep and vivid coloring of both are spectacular.

Rio opens in a breathtakingly colorful jungle in Brazil, where a baby macaw is just beginning to discover things.  His world is filled with life and the songs of richly hued birds native to the area.  But just as he is about to fly, poachers appear and violently trap the birds, then take them away.  The baby bird travels with his fellow prisoners but falls out of the delivery truck traveling to an exotic pet store in Minnesota.  A little girl picks him up and cares for him.

Fifteen years later he and Linda (Leslie Mann) are practically glued at the hip.  Now called Blu, the macaw (Jesse Eisenberg) is domesticated and comfortable in his cushy book shop home, drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows and being petted all day long, as wild geese outside the window jeer at him. 

He knows he’s spoiled and his life is pretty uneventful, but he’s too cozy to care.

An ornithologist from Brazil shows up to ask Blu’s owner Linda to bring him south to mate with a female macaw because he is the last male of his species. Reluctant to leave their cozy, safe life, Linda and Blu eventually decide to make the journey. Scientists place Blu in a specially built jungle love grotto in a research facility and wait for results. 

He meets Jewel his “arranged” bride.  She is the last female of his species, a glorious creature to look at but with the heart and soul of a boxer.  Jewel’s rejection of him seems hostile, but when they’re captured by a poacher, they must trust in each other to stay safe and get home to Linda.

There’s nothing new or revolutionary in the plotting – the usual touchstones of children’s animated entertainment are there - love, companionship, animals in danger, threat, resolution tears etc.  But there’s a significant environmental edge in its message and that’s always great for the kids.

The cast is as diverse as the birds in their natural domain – will.i.am, Tracy Morgan, Jemaine Clement, George Lopez, Wanda Sykes, Jane Lynch and Jamie Foxx – and on its own is incentive to see the film. 

Will.i.am’s vocals in all new songs are sophisticated and fun and reflect the Latin rhythms and the joie de vivre of the characters.

Sizzling Latin music, glorious jewels colours, 3D detail; breath-taking 3 dimensional views of Rio de Janeiro and a certain zest for life put this high up on my fly list. A Carnival parade is one of the best moments in animation anytime, anywhere.

The characters are varied, well defined and adorably winning, the milieu enchanting and the call to protect the forests and the creatures in them is a good reminder for kids – and their parents.

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3D animated adventure
Written by Carlos Saldanha
Directed by Carlos Saldanha and Don Rhymer
Opens: April 15
Runtime: 96 minutes
MPAA:Rated PG for mild off color humor
Country: USA
Language: English