Rio
2011 · Directed by Carlos Saldanha
Original language: English
- animation
- adventure
- comedy
- family
The story
Captured by smugglers when he was just a hatchling, a macaw named Blu never learned to fly and lives a happily domesticated life in Minnesota with his human friend, Linda. Blu is thought to be the last of his kind, but when word comes that Jewel, a lone female, lives in Rio de Janeiro, Blu and Linda go to meet her. Animal smugglers kidnap Blu and Jewel, but the pair soon escape and begin a perilous adventure back to freedom -- and Linda.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated animation with sun-drenched color: Rio de Janeiro rendered in hot blues, lime greens and sherbet sunsets, with the city's hillside favelas and carnival streets packed with motion. The camera moves fast and loose through jungle canopy and crowded markets, while the music does much of the emotional work, with samba, bossa nova and bouncy pop cues that cut into quieter, Minnesota-set scenes of cozy wintry kitchens and snowy windows. The vibe is warm, buoyant and mildly comic, a sunny adventure that feels like a holiday on a rainy afternoon. Pacing is brisk, with chases, slapstick and wisecracks, and the emotional arc follows a timid, sheltered bird slowly learning to trust his wings and his own voice. Intensity is low: peril is cartoonish, villains are bumbling smugglers, and there is no gore, only mild scares and a few tense moments. It suits family viewing, a comfort watch for kids and adults, and anyone wanting something gentle, colourful and upbeat with a touch of Brazilian rhythm.
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