Friday, April 15, 2011

Rio: A Movie Review


Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to a sneak peak of Rio in Real 3D, opening in theatres nationwide today.


In short, Rio (from the makers of Ice Age), is an animated comedy-adventure in 3D about a domesticated blue Macaw who returns to his homeland of Rio de Janeiro. Samba music and mayhem ensues. There's an all star cast of voices including Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Will.i.am, Jamie Foxx and George Lopez. There's also a kicking soundtrack.


I took Carlie and her friend, Emily, both sixth-graders, plus the friend's little brother, Christian, a third-grader. I'll admit, I was less than enthusiastic about this outing as (a) I don't like kid movies (b) I don't like going anywhere on a Saturday morning at 9:45 am and (c) I hate 3D. My mood did not improve when we arrived at the theatre to find a mile-long line of obnoxious children waiting for the movie, all with runny noses and sticky hands. Hello, have you met me? Ugh.


Turns out, the long line of icky kids were free ticket holders. The few of us who had been invited to review the movie on blogs and whatnot were ushered to the front of the line and had VIP seating... WINNING.


My mood greatly enhanced by cutting the line, I was thrilled to get into the theatre and see a drum line practicing their samba beats and two totally outfitted Carnivale Samba dancers preparing to perform. Festive!


Honestly moment number 2: I had no idea what this movie was about. But the kids I had in tow were really excited about it. So after enjoying the pre-movie samba performance, we settled in with our 3D glasses for the movie. And I'm not ashamed to admit, I laughed out loud multiple times and found the whole thing quite enjoyable.


But this is a kid's movie, so here's what the kid's had to say:


Christian: This is the best G rated movie I ever saw.

Emily: They should make better commercials for this movie, because it's really really good, but the commercials make it look just okay.

Carlie: I wish we could line cut at every movie!


My crew gives the movie 100% enthusiastic thumbs up. And they sang songs from the soundtrack and quoted favorite lines for the entire 20-minute drive home.


Oh! And I forgot to mention, the 3D was actually awesome. I don't know squat about 3D other than I have not enjoyed it in the past. But apparently Real 3D is the way to go, because the effect was really cool and did not leave me feeling hurly at all.


Rio opens today nationwide in Real 3D. A kids movie that didn't make me want to poke my own eyes out. What more can you ask for?

4 comments:

Tiffany Tweedie said...

I was waiting to hear what you thought. I have been less than enthusiastic about going to see it for the same reason Emily gives - the ads just don't look all that awesome.

Do you think it's one of those Must-See in 3Ds, or would it be just as good in 2D but not as visually stunning? Is the 3D integral to the movie, like Avatar?

Keetha said...

The Child and I saw it Saturday. I liked it!

I'm like you, I don't know that I've ever been wild over 3D before but in Rio, it was really impressive. Two thumbs up.

stephanie said...

How did you get this gig? I can get up early for free movies, Samba drummers, and taking cuts...

And, I am glad you told me this is worth seeing because I agree with Emily; the commercials do not make me want to move an inch.

safe meds said...

It is a great movie, I dont watch that many animated films but this one deserved it.