MOVIE REVIEW: Rio 2

Reviewed by Terry Neat.

GENRE: 3D animation adventure-comedy

RUNNING TIME: 1 hour 41 minutes

STARRING: Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada), Jesse Esenberg (Now You See Me), Jamie Foxx (Django) Leslie Mann (This is 40), Bruno Mars

DIRECTED BY: Carlos Saldanha (Rio, Ice Age)

RATING: 7/10

Currently screening at Ster-Kinekor.

PLOT: Rio 2 transports us from the bright lights of the city to the lush Amazon rainforest. It is the sequel to the 2011 film, Rio, and all our favorite characters are back. Blu and Jewel are dancing the new year in while their three children, Bia (Amandla Stenberg), Tiago (Pierce Gagnon) and teenager Carla (Rachel Crow) are busy tormenting their babysitter. Blu and Jewel’s human keepers, Linda (Leslie Mann) and Tulio (Rodrigo Santoro) are on an expedition to the rainforest to find and protect a hidden tribe of Spix’s Macaws. News of the expedition reaches Brazil and Jewel’s hope ignites at the thought of locating her missing family and the chance to take her children back to their roots.

THE GOOD: The vibrant Latino music and funky dance scenes are fun and uplifting. The focus on the family unit of mutual love and acceptance is a positive message for younger and older viewers alike. It is a light-hearted, feel-good type of film. Bruno Mars is as cool as his character, Roberto, and he has every trick in the book to win his childhood sweetheart over.

THE BAD:There are too many characters and issues in parts of the film, which make it confusing to understand at times.

VERDICT: This kaleidoscope of colour can be enjoyed by the whole family .The adventure is non-stop and the music will have you tapping your feet. A couple of interesting new characters emerge from the depths of the Amazon who are sure to delight and excite viewers. Rio 2 will whirl you around in a tropical tornado of colour, music, song and dance.

Thanks to Ster-Kinekor for making the review possible.