Animated family flick - from the makers of Ice Age and Horton Hears A Who - about a nerdy macaw bird from small-town Minnesota, named Blu (Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network), who takes off on an adventure to the rainforests of Rio de Janeiro.
Blu (Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network) thinks he is the last of his kind. So when he discovers there's another - and that she's a she - he breaks out of his cage and heads to Brazil to find her. But it's far from love at first sight between the domesticated and flight-challenged Blu and the fiercely independent, high-flying female, Jewel (Anne Hathaway). Also features the voice talents of Flight of the Conchords' Jemaine Clement and Jamie Foxx.
School holidays have nearly arrived and this will be the film to see. In the past we’ve had animated movies about fish, cars, robots – now computer animation has tackled our feathered friends. That’s right; birds, those creepy, beady-eyed creatures (even McDonald’s Birdie never quite worked, and that’s counting Grimace) are much cuter in Rio, with big anthropomorphised faces and movements.
Blu, a rare blue macaw voiced by The Social Network’s Jesse Eisenberg, finds himself a fish out of water in the vibrant and festive town of Rio de Janiero. The movie, just like the place, is colourful and jubilant. The setting is great, taking us through sparkling carnivals, ramshackle favelas and leafy jungles. There’s a sizeable host of characters (possibly a few too many) of parrots, bulldogs, monkeys and more.
If I had a gripe, it’s that the story (from the writer of the Big Momma’s House franchise) is a little ordinary, never taking flight and feeling quite laboured. The movie isn’t hugely funny either, though not for lack of trying. A highlight was the villainous cockatoo, voiced by Jemaine Clement, performing a very Conchordsian musical number. Rio might be conventional fare but it’s fun for the school-aged.
By Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz
All the family had a great time watching this movie up there with Nemo
OK so whats wrong? nothing really, trying to watch from a childs perspective (family viewing) is hard so I had to ask my niece... she liked the colors & the music. I fell asleep halfway through the movie (old guy thingy). as for her rating 3 & a half EGGS. The kids have spoken!
took the kids but they were too young and didn't sit still. Has a nice story and great colours and music. I would watch it again
I loved this movie I just loved the colour and the scenery as well as seeing the evil cockatoo Nigel voiced by Jemaine Clement who loved to eat chicken if your a fan of animated films then its a must see animated films today are not just for children there for everyone a big thumbs up to this one
beatiful animation and endearing characters, simple story tho
Rio hasn't got the wit or charm of Ice Age, though it is probably at least the equal of one of that great film's lesser sequels.
Okay, so it's not exactly a groundbreaking advance from the team behind "Ice Age," but with its kaleidoscope of colour and heaps of humour, you'll be charmed.
Voice work across the board is top-notch, with the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am and Jamie Foxx adding sass to their smooth-talking bird buddies, and comic George Lopez solid as a party-loving toucan named Rafael.
This animated feature effort is a significant step forward from the studio's "Ice Age" films, in the richness of its cast, the exuberance of its music and the vibrance of its palette.
With a story which is sweet but not cloying, Rio manages to move and amuse in equal measures.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 7th Apr 2011.
Release date: April 7th 2011.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
