Who's a pretty bird?

Rating: 5/10 (6 December 2011)

Combine the vivid colors of "Finding Nemo" with some of the plot devices of "Up" (most especially telling the backstory through a series of old photos and press clippings) and what do you get? Unfortunately, the combination results in a film not as memorable as either of those Pixar semi-classics. "Rio" like "Avatar" focuses on blue hued creatures hassled by evil humans (when did we get so self-hating?). Both films are also gorgeous to look at but revolve around only moderately interesting stories and a general lack of witty dialog. For example, despite the main character being a blue-colored macaw called "Blu", the film never goes for the obvious joke of another character mistakenly confusing him with a bluebird. The soundtrack also misses the chance to use the old Duran Duran song "Rio" or the old Judy Garland number "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (blue birds fly). Instead the repetitive sounds of samba dominate the soundtrack and most audience members likely agree with Blu who expresses his distaste for Samba. In short, "Rio" looks gorgeous but lacks substance - rent any Pixar film instead.