A colorful, family vacation.
Released: 2011
Genre(s): Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family
When animation and music come together in just the right way, the resulting combination can have a magical effect that proves enjoyable for both children and adults. Disney has proven over and over again that this formula can create films with almost infinite entertainment value. Blue Sky's "Rio" is one such concoction, although one not quite potent enough to be considered a timeless classic. Unlike the studio's monotonous, icy landscapes from its "Ice Age" series of movies, "Rio" is full of so much brilliant color that a Skittles warehouse would be jealous. Some seriously gorgeous visuals are melded seamlessly with the film's cartoony character models, a juxtaposition I'm actually surprised works so well. The animation is smooth and sleek, and it's expert execution manages to make the whole presentation eye-popping and effective, while the large dance scenes and action sequences pulse with so much vibrant life that it's impossible not to be mesmerized and amused in equal parts. The music itself is upbeat, poppy, catchy - a synthesis of Rio's Carnival celebration and today's chart-topping sensibilities - spanning across multiple genres, finding a way to remain massively-appealing despite its obvious quirkiness. The characters are fun, dialogue is witty, and the adventure is just big enough - and unorthodox enough - to remain consistently pleasant throughout. There's plenty of goofball slapstick to keep kiddies happy and parents will be able to appreciate the mild environmental commentary and shrouded adult innuendos: this is a very solid family film. Unfortunately, while this is definitely a fun and wild adventure, there's not a whole lot that really elevates "Rio" above what's par for the course; at its foundation, it's a very conventional outing. Even so, this is one ride that is well worth the cost of admission.
Rating (out of 5): 3.5
No comments:
Post a Comment