Rio: Blu Ray Review
Rio
Rating: PG
Released by Universal Home Ent
From the creators of Ice Age, it's the story of the last male macaw
in the world Blu (voiced with geeky overtones by The Social
Network's Jesse Eisenberg) who's kidnapped when young from his
Brazilian habitat. An accident leads him to be cared for by Linda
(Leslie Mann) in Minnesota - and Blu's quite happy in his
domesticated lifestyle.
However, when Tulio, from Brazil's department of Conservation shows
up on her doorstep, pleading with Linda to let him mate Blu with
the last female Macaw Jewel (Anne Hathaway), Blu's life is thrown
into disarray.
Dragged to Rio for a romantic liaison, Blu's birdnapped once again
- and along with Jewel and a few feathered friends, he's determined
to escape back to Linda and the comfort of his normal life.
Colourful, passionate and full of heart, Rio is an animated
delight. From its opening song which soars with birds covering the
screen in a wealth of vibrant colours, Rio will get you onside
right away.
Even if the sight of most of those birds being kidnapped minutes
later will terrify the young...
With a story which is sweet but not cloying, Rio manages to move
and amuse in equal measures.
Throw in a great performance from Jesse Eisenberg (who's really
cornering that geeky style) as bird nerd Blu - and a menacing turn
from Jemaine Clement's Nigel, a cockatoo who used to be the in
thing but who's now bitter and angry, and you've got the mix for a
fun time for all the family at the cinema. Which is a rare
thing.
But, it's an all family affair too - from the wondrous animated
backdrops of Rio itself to the cast of supporting characters,
(monkeys, dogs, toucans, birds) there's plenty for everyone to get
lost in here.
The script has smarts too - with witty dialogue, great songs (the
stand out of which is Jemaine Clement's bird rap) charm and
animation that is easy on the eye and not reliant on 3D, you can't
go wrong with Rio.
Rating: 7/10
