A Sara Roberts review of the film Rio directed by Carlos Saldana (2011)

Blu is a rare macaw that is almost instinct. He has lived all his life in Minnesota with his doting owner and best friend, Linda. When a brazilian scientists asks the two to come to Rio to mate with another blue macaw, Linda agrees and brings Blu to Rio to help save his species. Blu quickly meets Jewel, who is a feisty and independent bird longing to escape her life in captivity. The two go on an amazing, and sometimes scary, adventure when they are stolen by a bird smuggler and his cockatoo, Nigel. They must band together to escape and get back to where they belong, but first, they must undo the chains that bind them together. Along the way, the two meet Rafael who helps them find a way to break the cuffs and separate from each other. This animated adventure is colourful, musical and romantic. Carlos Saldana (director of Rio) chose very famous celebrities to voice the characters. Blu was voiced by Jesse Eisenberg, a very well known actor who also starred in The Social Network, Jewel was voiced by Anne Hathaway, well known actress who also starred in Bride Wars. The evil Nigel was voiced by Jemaine Clement, a comedian, actor and musician, and Rafael who was voiced by George Lopez, a comedian that now his own TV show. This of course made the film much more successful and entertaining to watch because of the well known actors. Because well known actors were used as the voice overs means that it is easier to promote the film through their existing fame. These actors all have something in common, they have all have experience of playing rolls in various different types of movies including comedy, thriller, action etc. Rio is an animated film, and in my opinion it is very well made. The graphics are amazing, it was released in cinemas in HD and in 3D. 3D is a good way of attracting the younger audience because it makes the atmosphere in the movie theatre more amusing and its interesting/entertaining to watch. This movie was well thought out of and it was well directed. I struggled to find any thing negative to say about the film because during the film I was either laughing or really into it. Rio has a hidden message in it, it also shows the Brazilian culture such as its biggest celebration of the year carnival, its passion for football and it big beautiful rainforests. The message it tries to pass across to stop capturing exotic animals especially endangered ones (in the movies case, birds). I believe that it passes this message across very clearly. I would say that Carlos Saldana aimed this film both to the younger audience being an animated film but adults can get something out of it. Overall I as a critic rate this film as a 5 star, I would recommend this as a excellent viewing for children and parents. There is a great message here delivered in an entertaining way in which all of us can enjoy. A great film!