Rio 2 3D Review

Rated G

Running Time: 1 Hour & 41 Minutes

Cast (voice)-

Jesse Eisenberg-Blu

Anne Hathaway-Jewel

Rachel Crow-Carla

Amandla Stenberg-Bia

Pierce Gagnon-Tiago

George Lopez-Rafael

William Adams/Will.I.Am-Pedro

Jamie Foxx-Nico

Andy Garcia-Eduardo

Rita Moreno-Aunt Mimi

Bruno Mars-Roberto

Jemaine Clement-Nigel

Kristin Chenoweth-Gabi

Philip Lawrence-Felipe

Tracy Morgan-Luiz

Bebel Gilberto-Eva

Leslie Mann-Linda Gunderson

Rodrigo Santoro-Tulio Monteiro

Jake T. Austin-Fernando

Miguel Ferrer-Big Boss

Janelle Monáe-Dr. Monáe

Natalie Morales-Newscaster

Directed by Carlos Saldanha

I think a musical number is about to happen...

Note: Screened on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at AMC Empire 25.

When it comes to the world of CG animation in Hollywood, Pixar was formerly the one to beat as the animation powerhouse released one timeless classic after another but their fifteen-year winning streak came to an end with 2011's "Cars 2," a noisy, ill-conceived sequel that seemed more concerned with selling toys than telling a proper story. Although the studio has more or less recovered from that film's critical drubbing with the generally well-received "Brave" and "Monsters University," it's obvious that Pixar is no longer the undisputed king of the animation world. With long-time rival DreamWorks Animation spread too thin from releasing two features per year, the animation crown is now pretty much up for grabs and the ones in the best position to claim it are ironically Pixar's parent company Disney and in a surprising twist, Warner Brothers. Between the destined-to-be-a-classic "Frozen" and the hilariously endearing "The LEGO Movie," the bar for animated family fare has never been higher. In the midst of all this competition is Twentieth Century Fox-owned Blue Sky Studios, who made a splash with their 2002 feature debut "Ice Age." Since then, they've established themselves as a formidable box office presence worldwide. However, the critical acclaim that their competitors have enjoyed continues to elude them, with the studio increasingly relying on their "Ice Age" franchise as its sole moneymaker. The fourth installment, 2012's "Ice Age: Continental Drift," was largely panned by critics (37% on Rotten Tomatoes) but grossed $877.2 million worldwide. Given that their technical prowess is on par with other animation studios, it's a shame that they don't branch out more. Outside of "Ice Age," Blue Sky's biggest success was 2011's "Rio," which received solid reviews (72% on Rotten Tomatoes) and earned a tidy global sum of $484.6 million. Now we have the obligatory sequel, set to be released this Friday. The perfunctory titled "Rio 2" doesn't break any new ground with its story and suffers from a deluge of subplots but the film remains an entertaining watch thanks to its vibrant visuals and energetic song-and-dance numbers.

Following the events of the first film, Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) and Jewel (Anne Hathaway)—the world's last two remaining Spix's Macaws—have settled into a life of domestic bliss in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with their three chirpy children: music-loving Carla (Rachel Crow), bookworm Bia (Amandla Stenberg), and happy-go-lucky Tiago (Pierce Gagnon) at the luxurious bird sanctuary provided by their now-married owners, Linda (Leslie Mann) and Tulio (Rodrigo Santoro). Although he has finally learned how to fly, Blu remains as domesticated as ever and revels in the conveniences of modern life. This leaves Jewel concerned as she is worried that her children are becoming more like humans and will grow up not knowing how to be birds. When a news report suggests that there might be more Spix's Macaws living deep in the Amazon, Jewel gathers her children and convinces a reluctant Blu to venture with her to the rainforest and find them. Tagging along on the trip are family friends Rafael (George Lopez), Pedro (William Adams/Will.I.Am), and Nico (Jamie Foxx), with the latter two scouting for musical talent for the upcoming Carnival festival. After taking several detours, the group arrives at the Amazon and discovers not only a long lost flock of Spix's Macaws but that they are led by Jewel's father Eduardo (Andy Garcia), whom she long thought dead. As the rest of his family settles in, Blu finds himself the outcast once more as his fondness for humans clash with Eduardo's more traditionalist mindset. He is also jealous of Jewel's childhood friend, the charismatic and suave Roberto (Bruno Mars). However, all that is the least of Blu's worries as villainous cockatoo Nigel (Jemaine Clement) has returned to wreak havoc on his life after their last encounter left him unable to fly. He is joined by a dimwitted anteater named Charlie and poisonous dart frog Gabi (Kristin Chenoweth), who is madly in love with Nigel. Meanwhile, the Amazon rainforest is threatened by a group of unscrupulous loggers led by 'Big Boss' (Miguel Ferrer).

Man, there is a lot going on in "Rio 2"! Despite being overstuffed with one subplot after another, returning director Carlos Saldanha manages to keep the animated flick moving along at a breezy pace even though the script—written by Don Rhymer, Jenny Bicks, Yoni Brenner, and Carlos Kotkin—feels like it was cobbled together by committee. The film's most memorable element is by far the music, with the sequel playing even more like a full-blown musical than its predecessor did. Don't mistake this for "Frozen" however; while Disney's billion-dollar hit would feel right at home on a Broadway stage, "Rio 2" embraces a more pop concert sensibility, as evidenced by its opening number What is Love from Grammy-nominated R&B singer Janelle Monáe. While it won't give the "Frozen" soundtrack a run for its money, the various song-and-dance numbers are frequently humorous, catchy, and greatly complement the film's dynamic visuals, especially during one eye-opening sequence set to Beautiful Creatures, performed by the Brazilian body-percussion group Barbatuques. Illustrated by synchronized flying routines (which are gracefully animated by Blue Sky in striking 3D), it serves to celebrate the macaws' harmonious lifestyle with nature. Bringing the laughs are Jemaine Clement and Kristin Chenoweth, with Clement vigorously belting out a parody cover to Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive while Chenoweth sings a hilariously creepy love ballad, appropriately titled Poisonous Love. Regardless of the film's flaws, kids are going to love "Rio 2" and I'm certain most parents will find themselves swept up by the infectious musical numbers as well. Hell, during the end credits, the mother sitting next to me started spontaneously dancing! They may not be collecting awards like their rivals but Blue Sky should still be proud that their work is being embraced so enthusiastically by the movie-going audience.

If you're wondering why I haven't delved into the plot, it's because it's largely secondary to the music. The story is basically a riff on "Meet the Parents," only with birds as the nebbish Blu tries to gain the approval of Jewel's authoritarian father while fending off the amorous advances of her childhood friend. One of Blu's screw-ups lead to an airborne soccer match between the Spix's Macaws and their scarlet-feathered brethren, which is obviously designed to appeal to Brazilian audiences as the country is hosting the FIFA World Cup this June. Blu's familial fish-out-of-water hijinks offers enough drama to sustain a 1 hour and 41 minute kids' movie yet the writers see fit to pile on the subplots in order to give its already-large cast of characters something to do. There's Pedro and Nico's search for musical talent, Nigel's deranged revenge scheme, and to top it off, there are illegal loggers threatening the Macaw sanctuary in the Amazon rainforest! The not-so-subtle environmentalism themes, along with the film's emphasis on the importance of one's roots, are nicely positive messages that children can easily pick up on but the writers definitely bite off more than that they can chew, particularly during the loud third act as it rushes to resolve every plot thread with a neat little bow. The voice cast is also problematic. They're not bad; in fact, everyone delivers a lively performance. However, most of the supporting characters are voiced by famous people because they happen to be famous, allowing Twentieth Century Fox to fill the trailers with a bunch of marquee names. Yes, Tracy Morgan is in the film but his role amounts to a glorified cameo with maybe ten to fifteen lines. Of course, this doesn't detract from the fun frivolity of "Rio 2" yet its flaws are noticeably magnified following the release of critically acclaimed fare like "Frozen" and "The LEGO Movie."

To be released on April 11, 2014, "Rio 2" has received mildly positive reviews so far with 61% on Rotten Tomatoes. It likely won't stray far from that number when Friday comes around but regardless of what critics think, this is a guaranteed box office hit, at least overseas. The first film grossed a modest $143.6 million domestically and I don't see the sequel earning more than that. Internationally, it's a different story as "Rio" made over $340 million from foreign receipts. Whether "Rio 2" will top that remains to be seen but it has a strong chance. Despite being overstuffed with too many characters and subplots, "Rio 2" remains an enjoyable and highly entertaining animated flick. It may lack the sophistication of its rivals yet the rousing musical numbers will still thrill families looking for a fun night at the movies.

Final Rating: 3.5 out of 5

"Keep celebrating…I'll be pooping on your party promptly."