Rio rocks and goes samba too! -- Rio Movie Review

POTATO ON THE GO:

Samba.  Bossa Nova.  Havaianas.  Capoeira.  And even up and coming models and actors.  The touch of Brazil is really everywhere.  And when we thought we have it all, well let's brace ourselves for another Brazilian influence coming up, this time in the big screen -- presenting the 3D animation from 20th Century Fox and  Blue Sky Studios... Rio!


Well, to be technical about it, it is not a real Brazilian production except that Rio is a dream project of its Brazilian born director Carlos Saldanha.   So Carlos plus the story's heart and soul make it 100% Brazilian!  =)

Well, before I proceed to the Rio movie review, let me share with you first the experience in its advance screening at Cinema 3 of Glorietta 4.  The event is dubbed as Rio Family Day Screening and true to its name, it is indeed a family affair.  We were all treated with goodies that are usually found in school family fairs.  There were stalls for ice scramble, fish balls, ice cream, Koko crunch and there was even a photo booth!  What a way to hold a premiere screening!  =)

From the makers of the hit movie Ice Age, Rio is an animated adventure, comedy, and musical (and even romantic!) movie for the whole family.  Directed by Carlos Saldanha and written by Don Rhymer, Rio tells the story of Blu (Jesse Eisenberg), a domesticated macaw who never learned to fly and raised by his master and best friend Linda.  They were both living almost perfect lives until they found out that Blu is the last of his kind and they need to go to Rio (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) to save the species by pairing him with the last female macaw Jewel (Anne Hathaway).  But things get complicated when they were kidnapped (or birdnapped!)  by dirty animal smugglers.  And Blu experienced the greatest adventure of his life as he, together with his new found cool friends - the musically inclined city birds, go against the birdnappers and finds his way back to the creatures he love most.  But, the biggest challenge is, Blu cannot fly. Well, that's for you to find out!  =)

First of all, I can't help myself but shout that this film, Rio, rocks!  I never thought a 3D animated flick can make me laugh loud from start to finish.  And that's courtesy of a well written script with fantastic funny punchlines and natural humour, a very detailed animation that brings out every emotion that a character needs and well executed hilarious scenes that are far from a trashy slapstick.

Second, Rio is colorful, literally and figuratively speaking.  The animation is indeed a visual treat with all the colorful animals making "scenes" and Rio de Janeiro being the film's awesome backdrop!   Its story is also a colorful ride for the cinema goers with all the love, emotion, suspense, action, adventure, fun, and drama mixed well and painted in the film.  And the 3D format adds to the visual and cinematic grandeur of the film.

Thirdly, Rio will blow you away.  And credit it to the effective scoring of soothing and rhythmic Brazilian music in the film's many highlights and the fabulous choreography sketched in every moving dance scenes.

Fourth, Rio is an actors' playground.  The movie is moved by voices of Hollywood actors who dared to leave their usual stuff and went playful and helped create crazy characters by effectively acting their roles.

And lastly, Rio is soulfully Brazilian.  I think we all know that Brazilian influences become hit because of the  passion and festive mood associated with it.  And Rio captured it all making it somehow, another upcoming "Brazilian" hit!  To add, I for one, was enticed of going to Brazil, even if what I just saw are animated scenes.  Big thanks to Carlos Saldanha, 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios for making this great contribution!  =)

Rio's story may initially look plain and simple but you will definitely feel and realize its difference.  Primarily, the plot narrates humans' role in protecting and caring for our wildlife but the story goes beyond that as it talks and touches on people (and animals!) who value friendship, the courage we are willing to take to fight for what is right,  the selfless love we give for those whom we love and the need to continue the cycle of life.

From a range of 1 to 10 claps, I'm giving Rio a cheerful 9 with tons of laughter included! =D Other actors in the cast are Rodrigo Santoro, Bebel Gilberto, Kat del Castillo, will.i.am, Tracy Morgan, George Lopez, Jake T. Austin, Leslie Mann, Jemaine Clement, Jane Lynch and Robin Thicke.

Catch Rio in Philippine theaters on April 7, Thursday, in 2D and 3D formats.  It is presented by 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios and distributed by Warner Bros.  Rio is rated GP by the Movie and Television Review and Classifications Board (MTRCB).