By Carly Gaspari
Staff Writer
As common as sequels are for successful animated children’s movies, some films should just stick with the original. “Rio 2” is a prime example of this.
Directed by Carlos Saldhana and produced by Blue Sky Studios, “Rio 2” fails to meet its potential. It is clear that the writers of the popular franchise’s sequel are trying to elevate the level of the film’s story, yet they serve only to overcomplicate it. This, coupled with overly extraneous characters, overwhelms the otherwise strong music and visuals.
“Rio 2” is an animated film that follows Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) and Jewel (Anne Hathaway), two rare Spix macaw birds living in a bird sanctuary in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with their three fledglings. When Jewel learns of a rumor that they are not the last of their species and that there are other wild macaws living in the jungle of the Amazon, she talks her family into taking a journey to find their fellow birds.
Along with their bird friends Nico (Jamie Foxx), Rafael (George Lopez) and Pedro (Will.i.am.), Blu and the family travel to the Amazon and are united with their fellow blue macaw birds. However, during their adventure, Blu and his family are forced to evade being captured by Nigel (Jemaine Clement), who is seeking revenge from events in the previous film.
This story is then layered with more and more conflicts and dynamics, making the narrative pointlessly difficult to follow. Children’s films are supposed to be vaguely simple and easily understood; however, “Rio 2” strays from its intended genre, and in doing so, crumbles in the process.
Romance, for instance, is awkwardly incorporated in unnecessary places. For example, Gabi (Kristin Chenoweth) is a frog who is in love with the antagonist, Nigel. Their odd interactions do not serve to help the plot in the slightest, instead bogging it down and distracting from the central narrative. The nuances with extraneous characters do not end there. Awkward family member conflicts pervade the entire movie, making the plot unfocused. Had the storyline been simplified, and stuck to its target audience, it might have actually been an enjoyable film.
However, despite its structural issues, “Rio 2” is still chalk-full of brilliant animation. Between the vibrant colors of the Amazonian animals and the detailed scenery of the jungle, the visual effects draw viewers in and keep the film utterly engaging.
Another saving grace of the film is its energetic soundtrack. It features tracks with a multitude of its musical cast members, like Will.i.am., that are upbeat and fun. The score gives the animated flick a carefree, tropical feel that is perfect for its Brazilian setting. In combination with massive choreographed dance routines, the music helps the stunning visuals come alive.
Even though the film is superbly animated and features a strong score, its numerous faults overwhelm it. Random issues with characters combined with an overly-complex narrative clip the film’s bright blue wings.
“Rio 2,” released April 11, is rated G and is playing in theaters across the nation.
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