I must admit-there came a time where I realized that I was probably too old to go see animated films in the movie theater. I am one of those secret Disney/Pixar lovers who watches these films in the comfort and secrecy of my own home. So, when I saw the commercials for Rio on the television a few weeks ago-I came up with the convenient excuse to selfishly blame going to see it on my poor little cousin. I was long anticipating the release of this movie and was thrilled when asked to go see it for an assignment for Idea Development. Once I arrived at the theater and got ready to watch the movie, I looked around and noticed that I, in fact, was surrounded by people my age and even older. I then realized that you don’t have to just be a child to enjoy fun, animated films and that it was perfectly normal for me to enjoy a great film-at any age! (My embarrassment then subsided.)
From the moment the movie started, I knew the this film was filled with a colorful cast of characters and amazing vibrant graphics that help enrich the story’s true beauty. The first element that led to what I believe what is going to become a wildly successful movie is the usage of colors. The animation designers chose a very vibrant pattern and choice of colors to work with for the entire film. I feel slightly compelled to talk about the color palette in Ice Age because the director of this film, Carlos Saldanha was the director for that film as well. Unlike Ice Age, which consisted primarily of cool, grey and blue tones, Rio worked with a specific array of vibrant colors like bright blues, oranges and yellows. Each specific color was bright and summery, just like what you think of when you envision Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Something about this color scheme just makes people happy. In addition, the fact that this film is 3-D only enhances the perfect color combinations. The audience feels like they are a part of not only the film but also the journey the characters endure throughout the film. The vibrant colors got along beautifully with the bright and animated characters. The choice of bright colors was one of important particularly for this light and uplifting good time film.
The second extremely successful component of this film is the choice of sound. The soundtrack for this film is simply fantastic. Each song fits perfectly to the mood of the music and honestly made everyone in the theater want to get up and dance-the energy around the music-with each pound of the drum or flair of the song. The energy of the music was just contagious. An important element was to incorporate the traditional music of Brazil because this film is mainly set there- that is the origin country of Blu and the Macaw species. This zesty compilation of native Brazilian music really incorporates the flavor of Brazil into the journey. My favorite song throughout the entire movie is entitled, “Telling the World,” this particular song was a perfect match for Blu and Jewel’s journey together. The samba rhythms penetrate through your eardrums and finally go out with a bang in the incredible Carnaeval finale. The selection of audio in this film enhances the incredible story line while infecting audience members with the Brazilian culture.
From the beginning of the movie until the end, I could not take my eyes off of the screen. The animation throughout this film is impeccable. The rich and warm colors that enlighten the screen are seen throughout the course of Blu’s journey. The choice of characters was perfectly fitting. Each character has a certain “cartoony” look to them but overall looked like amazing pieces of art. There really aren’t any other movies that I have seen in the past few years with such warm and impeccable colors that I could compare this film to. My favorite animated character was by far Blu. He just was simply adorable! The way he moved, talked and his journey just makes me coo with adorableness. In addition, the rich backgrounds were so immaculate and did such an amazing job of capturing and animating the richness of Brazil. Two of the most successful production elements were the aerial views and action shots, which captured the scenery perfectly. The birds flying just showed the unity of the community and captured the essence of the Macaw family. I love how the director chose to show the characters in common tourist destinations and famous places in Brazil. The audience members were really able to feel like they were in Brazil, and got an adequate depiction of life in that country. It was so eclectic and coupled the animation and graphics perfectly. There was a non-stop stream of camera movements, angles and graphics. All of the different images blended together so successfully. Two extremely memorable scenes in this film were without a doubt the opening and closing. There’s something exciting and uplifting about the upbeat music and dancing and unity of the different birds singing and dancing together in the city and forest. The quality of these scenes is like no other movie I’ve seen. There was so much going on in those scenes and the animation involved was incredible- in my opinion showed the strongest display of animation in the entire film during these two scenes. The majestic scenes of Rio stick with the audience throughout the course of the movie.
In any film, the character development is one of the most influential factors on the success of the storyline of a movie. In this particular film, the development of Blu was an exceptional one. First, the audience is able to get a glimpse of his happy life in Minnesota with his owner. We see how content he is with his life because he really doesn’t know any better. It kind of pinpoints just how domesticated Blu has become because he was sheltered in Minnesota and not in the wilderness of Brazil, his native land. However, one day his life is turned upside down. When the scientist finds Blu and realizes that he is the last male of that species, Blu becomes concerned with leaving the only life that he knew in Minnesota and his beloved friend for life, Linda and moving to Brazil to mate with the last female Macaw species. Audience members are able to see the interaction and true journey and relationship Blu and his new mate, Jewel have. At first, Jewel was completely uninterested in Blu-all she wanted to do was escape. I couldn’t help but feel bad for the poor guy because all he really wanted was to kiss her, and she couldn’t be any more uninterested! When they are held hostage by the smugglers, the journey of their relationship really climaxes. Both Blu and Jewel had to fight to escape and really only had each other throughout the journey-they needed to rely on one another just for survival. It was so adorable how Blu kept trying to help Jewel escape-he put her before himself-and that showed me how genuine he was. When they finally escaped, Jewel and Blu search for housing in the jungles of Rio de Janeiro. Since Blu has become “humanized” so to speak, he is unable to fly. While they search for housing, Jewel climbs with him (even though she is able to fly) because she doesn’t want to abandon him. The nest day, we see Blu struggling to fit in. The other birds attempt to teach him how to fly but to no avail. Blu meets many new friends, but can’t seem to connect with any of them like he had connected with Linda. All he wants is to resume his life back to what it used to be-to have this unbreakable bond like he has with Linda. I was at the edge of my seat as Linda searched for Blu-and the missed opportunities she had. I felt hopeless because Linda couldn’t get to Blu-he had already been captured and sent on a place. At the end of the film, while Jewel and Blu battle with the other birds that have held the Macaws hostage, Blu (who cannot fly) jumps out of the plane in order to save Jewel. This was a heart wrenching moment-my emotions of fear and anxiety were overtaken by the incredible care and love Blu has for Jewel. As they fell to the ground, Jewel kisses Blu-something that he has wanted for so long! He is so blown away that he held out his wings and cradled Jewel-saving both of them at once. The ending of the film was the cutest part of the entire film. By the end, Jewel and Blu start a relationship together and eventually have three children of their own. The happy family now all lives together in the open rainforests of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Blu sacrifices a lot for the woman that he loves-but to him it is all worth it.
The storyline in Rio was one of the cutest, most adventurous and thrilling story telling that I have seen in a while. The writing of the script was one of the key elements of the movie that led to its greatness. It really made me think to myself that no one is really ever too old to have an imagination. I really enjoyed how the journey was written-from Blu’s domestic life and through his encounters with Jewel in his new territory. I really enjoyed Jewel and Blu’s relationship-and even though they are just Macaws, it is one relationship that I think many people can relate to. I loved how it was a chase; a longing of Blu’s to try to be with Jewel. She, wanting no part in it, developed throughout the film and came to love him at the very end. I really enjoyed the action of the two “love birds” while they were caught several times and held hostage and very constantly fighting for their own freedom-when other people got I the way of their living. My favorite part however, was in the very end when Blu and Jewel start their relationship together and start a family in the jungle. I thought it was so adorable and was really happy that I could leave the theater with a smile on my face because the fact that Blu and Jewel were so happy made me just as happy!
I would absolutely recommend this movie to people of all ages. Even though it is an animated movie, it is one of my favorite films that I have seen in a while. The incredible camera angles, the scenery and animation along with the extraordinary audio and the superb storyline all attribute to how successful this movie is. This film goes above and beyond the expectations of audience members and delivers a truly amazing film to be proud of. People of all ages need to see an uplifting, clever and witty film that will leave them feeling good after seeing it. Follow these two lovebirds on their adventurous journey to their new lives!
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