My Movie Review on Rio 2 (Plus, a Bonus) · 2:45pm Mar 4th, 2020
Greetings, my good friends.
This is your friendly film, TV show, and episode reporter here with another review.
Today, for my 122nd film analysis, I'm gonna be giving you guys my take of "Rio 2".
Here's the summary of it:
Spix's macaws Blu and Jewel are happily married and are the proud parents of three children: Carla, Tiago, and Bia. However, Jewel worries that because of how accustomed her family has become with living in human care, they're becoming more like humans than birds.
But, when the macaw family hear on the news that Tulio and Linda have discovered a possibility that more of their kind could be out in the Amazon rainforest, they, along with Rafael, Pedro, and Nico travel to the jungle to find out if there really are more Spix's macaws. There, the meet Jewel's father, Eduardo, and the flock he leads.
As time goes by, though, Blu finds himself struggling with being able to live and survive in the wild.
Meanwhile, the head of an illegal logging activity catches wind of Tulio and Linda's presence in the rainforest. To make matters worse, Nigel, accompanied by a Northern Tamandua named Charlie and a poison dart frog named Gabi, seeks revenge of Blu for taking away his ability to fly after the events of their last encounter.
Will the loggers somehow find Tulio and Linda? Will Nigel have his vengeance on Blu?
What's more, will Blu adapt in the jungle and be accepted by the flock? Or is he pretty much a dead duck?
Shortly after reviewing the first film, I knew that I absolutely wanted to review this sequel. I have been aware of its mixed reputation for quite some time, but in all honesty...this is another film with a reputation I can't understand!
I thought this film was fun!
The direction and story by Carlos Saldanha, and the screenplay by Don Rhymer, Jenny Bicks, Yoni Brenner, and Carlos Kotkin, were all extremely spot-on. I mean, yes, the film did seem to have more than one subplot crammed in, but yet...the characters were nevertheless able to drive the film forward and help everything connect. Even Nigel's return wasn't without meaningful purpose, really. Along with that, the humor of the film was hilarious and well-worked, and none of the jokes felt out of place. It had brilliantly done heart, emotion, and moral as well, which particularly came from Blu's struggles to be accepted and become part of the flock.
The animation of this film was wonderful too. Saldanha was not only able to retain the visual style that made the first movie so special, but he extended himself creatively to where he made the animation bigger than ever before.
The music by John Powell was as melodiously magnificent as ever, if I may add. When it came to composing for this sequel, Powell not only captured the vibe that made the music in the predecessor instantly compelling, but he managed to go deeper than he previously did. The songs of the movie were fun to listen to as well.
Finally, the voice acting, casting, characters, and character development were dynamic. The cast members from the previous movie sounded like they were having all the fun in the world with their material, and the new cast members fit their parts like a glove! My favorite of the old cast members were Jesse Eisenberg as Blu, Anne Hathaway as Jewel, and Jemaine Clement as Nigel. My favorite of the new cast members were Miguel Ferrer as Big Boss, Andy Garcia as Eduardo, and Kristin Chenoweth as Gabi. The reason I listed these performers as my top favorites of the film was because they gave perhaps the most powerful and passionate vocal portrayals out of everyone.
To top it all off, the characters developed throughout the film perfectly. If I had to choose who had the most compelling of character growth, it would be Blu, Jewel, and Eduardo.
In the end, "Rio 2" is not only one of the most underrated sequels around, but it's lively, fun, and pretty smart. Saldanha definitely knew what he was doing, I'll tell you guys that.
So, I rate "Rio 2" five out of five stars.
As a special bonus to you all, I'd like to show you guys the original painting that I made not too long ago:
This one is also one that I've actually named too. I call it...the Zebra.
So, what do you guys think of this review I made? As well as the movie itself?
Any thoughts on the painting too.
I thought that, as a sequel to a relatively small film in 2010, this film... it was all right. It didn't flop or was terrible, but it wasn't anything special or particularly memorable.
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What’d you think of the painting?
I haven't seen the sequel yet but I plan on doing so in the future.
Also your painting strongly reminds me of the exotic and lovely Zecora.
I haven't seen it so i cant comment. However, im glad you took my suggestion!
This movie made me love the franchise more! Can’t wait to see the third movie!
Gabi's VA also in MLP movie