From the makers of Ice Age, featuring the bird-who-can’t-do-what-he’s-supposed-to conceit of Happy Feet and a domesticated-creatures-unwillingly-released-back-into-the-wild plot straight from Madagascar, Rio is the latest in a flock of similar computer animated tales. But thanks to its bright and breezy tone, it proves to be a nice little flight of fancy.
Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) is a macaw parrot living a pampered life in Minnesota with his bookish owner Linda (Leslie Mann). With his species under threat of extinction, he’s flown to Rio where it’s hoped he’ll breed with the sassy Jewel (Anne Hathaway). When the macaws are kidnapped by poachers, they must work together to escape, which would be a lot easier if the domesticated Blu had ever learned how to fly.
Eisenberg provides a pitch-perfect vocal performance as the neurotic and eager-to-please Blu, while will.i.am and Jamie Foxx keep the laughs coming as the wise-cracking, samba-loving sidekicks. In fact, they’re almost endearing enough that I could forgive Anne Hathaway’s supposedly Portuguese Jewel exclaiming, “Oh, you’re American!” to Blu, in a completely undisguised New York twang. Almost.
The plot strikes a nice, if occasionally bland, balance between comedy and action. But the visuals are undeniably lovely. Aerial views of Rio and kaleidoscopically colourful scenes of the Brazilian carnival celebrations are stunning and irresistibly fun, heightened by the urban samba soundtrack.
Though of course it has jumped on the 3D bandwagon, Rio thankfully avoids inflicting eye-watering effects upon your corneas, merely instead using the format to enhance the flight sequences. But for a film in which colourful characters are thrown into the flamboyantly hued carnival, it’s the gorgeously vibrant palette that imbues it with its bright tone. And do you know what significantly diminishes your perception of how bright something is? Wearing dark 3D glasses. Congratulations to the genius behind that decision. Check out the 2D version, and let it lighten up your day.