Rio is a colorful animated film with a good voice cast. While its music is catchy, the story is so straightforward and predictable that it is not as fun as you may wish it was. With so many intelligent, well-crafted animated films out there (most recently Rango), this movie has the talent and capability to be much funnier and more entertaining than it actually is. Instead, it sticks to a familiar story with no surprises, which ruins the fun for kids and the adults who have to sit through it with them.
Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) lives a very spoiled life. He is a domesticated Macaw who lives with his owner and best friend Linda (Leslie Mann) in a small town in Minnesota. While Blu is considered the last of his kind, they find out there is another one who lives in Rio de Janeiro. Eventually, Linda and Blu leave their safe town and take an adventure to the exotic land to let Blu meet Jewel (Anne Hathaway), his female counterpart. She is the complete opposite of Blu. She is independent, street-smart, and knows a thing or two about survival.
Not soon after Blu and Jewel are introduced, they are kidnapped by animal smugglers who are hoping for a big payday for the two of them. This starts the adventure of Blu and Jewel escaping and trying to survive while Blu tries to find his way back to Linda and his old life they shared together. Oh and did I mention that Blu doesn’t know how to fly?
So with the help of two smart-talking, beat-boxing birds (Jamie Foxx and will. i. am) and a married toucan (George Lopez) who is looking for a way just to get out of the house, Blu and Jewel must find a way to get along in order for them to make it out of Rio alive. And Blu must find the courage he has been missing and learn how to spread his wings and fly.
Eisenberg and Hathaway give the two rare birds some personality. Blu is scared and nervous. It is crystal clear he is out of his comfort zone. And Jewel has a great spirit and is certainly a survivor. How else would she have made it this long? The rest of the cast including Lopez, Foxx, will.i.am, and Jemaine Clement as Nigel – a nasty cockatoo who use to be at the top of his game and wants his glory days back – do a fine job. A lot of voice talent for such an average movie. If it wasn’t for the rich, colorful animation, there would not be a whole lot to be attracted to.
Director Carlos Saldanha captures the beauty and essence of Brazil and there is no problem with the performances. The story is simple and for kids only. When it comes to expecting the unexpected, that is not the case with this animated movie. Rio isn’t terrible. Nor is it great. It is a mediocre family movie that doesn’t even attempt to reach for the sky.
“Nature Boy” Brandon Vick is the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and star of Brandon’s Box Office In Your Mouth. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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