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."
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