After three years, Rio is back for a sequel. Rio 2, directed by Carlos Saldanha, is the quirky, light-hearted family film that audiences expect it to be, with an arrangement of invigorating music and dance sequences to start off the spring season.
Rio 2 follows the journey of Blu (Jesse Eisenberg), Jewel (Anne Hathaway) and their three children. When their owners, Linda (Leslie Mann) and Tulio (Rodrigo Santoro) discover a tribe of Spix’s Macaws in the Amazon rainforest, Blu and his family depart their home in Rio de Janeiro to find their fellow birds.
During their travels, Blu and Jewel’s old adversary, Nigel the cockatoo (Jemaine Clement), spots the family and plots his revenge on the birds with the help of Gabi the poison dart frog (Kristen Chenoweth) and Charlie the tamandua.
When the family finally reaches the Amazon rainforest, they find the tribe of macaws; and Jewel is reunited with her father, Eduardo (Andy Garcia) and her childhood friend, Roberto (Bruno Mars). Because Blu has been domesticated by his life as a pet (or a companion as he likes to call it), he has a difficult time fitting in.
Ultimately, he ignites a war between his tribe and their rival, the Scarlet Macaws; and because of this, Blu’s own species resents him. While this takes place, Nigel creeps his way into the tribe, and villainous loggers abduct Linda and Tulio when they try to find the macaws’ hideout.
The film’s musical sequences are fun and catchy, and they provide the film with an energy that will especially appeal to children. The voice actors make these sequences all the more artful, and they do a commendable job at both singing and embracing the role. Of course, Blue Sky Entertainment’s animation skills are something to be noted in all of these musical sequences. Not to mention the detail in each character’s construction, from Blu’s feathers to Gabi’s poisonous shine. Where the film falls flat, however, is the story itself.
Simply put, there is too much going on in Rio 2. Not only does the film extend the story line of its predecessor with the introduction of Blu and Jewel’s former enemy, Nigel the cockatoo, but it also squeezes in a variety of fresh storylines that result in a chaotic lump of confusion. Blu’s struggle to fit into the tribe, the clash between the Spix’s Macaws and the Scarlet Macaws, a talent show, and Nigel’s revenge are just a few examples of the tales spread into the film by its writers.
On top of that, Linda and Tulio also become part of a parallel plot with their fight against the villainous, illegal loggers that endanger the lives of the Spix’s Macaws.
Though there are so many storylines, none of them are worth investing in, making for a rather boring film. Instead of continuing with a certain theme or idea that the viewer can hold onto, the film tacks on new, haphazard events. This might appeal to young children, but for their parents, it will be a struggle to make it through the movie’s hour and 41 minute runtime.
Rio 2 had the perfect combination of materials to create a decent movie. With capable voice actors, animators and song writers, the film should be a delight for all audiences. However, there is no singular, tangible story line to guide it. Throughout watching it, I couldn’t help but ask myself “why was this film made other than for the sake of making a film?”
Each event seems desultory and uncoordinated, isolated from the rest of the plot. In fact, it would have made a more convincing children’s television show. No movie could be as enticing as it could be without the foundation of a well-crafted tale.
Overall, Rio 2 might appeal to child audiences and could be a fun time simply for the music and its lighthearted mood. It could even be worth seeing in theaters for fans of musicals and vibrant colors. But as a film, the overall story line of Rio 2 simply does not measure up like it should and can be a tedious chore for more mature audiences to watch.
