Good Family Fun Movie

Rating: 7/10 (13 May 2011)

Rio is a fun movie for kids. With a predictable plot and a happy ending it is a good formula for a family day at the movies. When little bird Blu is bird-napped from his lush tropical home in Brazil he is shipped to the frigid north where the crate he is packed in falls off the truck and he is lost. Little girl Linda finds and nurtures the traumatized Blu and years later we find the pair have become inseparable friends. Blu has adjusted and loves his home. Linda learns that Blu must return to his native land to mate in order to save his species. Of course things do not go according to plan and adventures begin.
The movie is colorful and action packed. I instantly fell in love with Linda and Blu who are both down to earth and easy to identify with. Some of the graphics were amazing, as I wanted to jump on a plane to visit the incredibly beautiful animated Rio De Janeiro and join in the "Carnival". It also helped us to remember there is a seedy side to Rio and to make sure that you watch out for thieves and pick pockets and other nasty sorts. The bad guy in the flick looked just like the male version of Cruella De Vil trying to steal exotic birds for gain with his two bumbling sidekicks. Another thing we noticed which seems to be a trend in recent movies is the males are portrayed as incompetent and weak while the females are smart, sure, and sassy.
This is a good movie for kids but I would still recommend that you watch this or any movie before letting your young children watch it. Everyone one has his or her own idea of what is acceptable content and what is not.