Animated Antic Most animation studios can turn out great sequels, though sadly Blue Sky Studios strangely enough isn't one of them. While they do succeed at making very enjoyable original movies, their Ice Age sequels don't have a lot of rewatch value. With "Rio 2" however, I went in very hopeful. I really enjoyed the first movie with it's beautiful colors, fun songs, likable characters and a pretty good story and hoped the sequel could deliver. Sadly though, I walked out of the movie really disappointed. "Rio 2" just falls flat with a story that has way too many plot elements, new characters that are very unlikeable, and song numbers so forgettable and bland that not even Bruno Mars could make them fun. Let me explain why this is. A few years after the first film, Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) and Jewel (Anne Hathaway) have been living happily with their kids in the grand and glorious city of Rio de Janeiro. However, Jewel feels that her kids are acting a little to much like humans (due to Blu having lived most of his life with a human) and wants them to get back to their natural roots. However when Blu's former owner Linda (Leslie Mann) and her husband Tulio (Rodrigo Santoro) discover that more sphinx macaws might be out there, Jewel decides to go to the Amazon to find the tribe which Blu reluctantly agrees to. Along with their friends Nico (Jamie Foxx), Pedro (will.i.am.), and Rafael (George Lopez) they go into the jungle and find the tribe where they meet the leader and Jewel's father, Eduardo (Andy García) as well as Jewel's best friend Roberto (Bruno Mars) and try to get Blu to get into natures ways and also hold a talent show, unaware that a logging company is planning to bulldoze the entire forest and that Nigel (Jemaine Clement), the villain from the last movie has survived the encounter in the last movie and is planning his revenge while also bouncing back to Linda and Tulio from time to time as well have a soccer game that serves no point to the story. Yeah, it's a mess. The story in this movie just has so many plot elements in this film that it just got so confusing and full especially compared to the first film's very simple story. I think the reason why this happened is because the writers of this movie thought that the film needed to be bigger and have some more elements added to it though sadly they had no idea how to do it correctly. I also thought some scenes weren't handled right, particularly the reunion between Jewel and Eduardo. It was so rushed and didn't feel very emotional. Speaking of which, let's talk about the characters. The ones from the first film still have their charm and likable personality, particularly Blu. The new characters on the other hand, that's another story. They're all very unlikeable and even treat some of the characters harshly, especially Eduardo. Words cannot describe my hate for him. The way he treated poor Blu throughout the movie really angered me and finally by the time he called him "pet" I lost all faith in him. As for the others, Blu and Jewel's kids were just cliched and I also really wasn't fond of the loggers. I could understand what the writers were trying to go for, but they weren't funny at all compared to the smugglers and also didn't pose a legitimate threat. However, I think one of the biggest mistakes that the movie made was bringing back Nigel. He was a necessary villain for the first film, though bringing him back was pointless. Even his defeat at the end, which I won't spoil, was weak compared to the first film. In fact, he isn't defeated at all. Yeah, what a letdown. The song numbers, though nice, weren't as grand as the first film either. They didn't have anything especially memorable compared to the first film's Oscar nominated song and not even Bruno Mars, whose songs are fantastic, could make it work. The only thing that I could find better than the first movie was the animation. The colors were more grand and eye popping and could look realistic at times, but that was seriously the only thing that I found better. "Rio 2" just disappointed me. This could have been a great sequel, but it's jumbled story, unlikeable new characters and forgettable songs just made it very unlikeable. I feel bad for Blue Sky as yet this is another sequel that they stumbled up on. If there's any proof from this movie, I think that there are two lessons that they should hopefully learn. Bigger isn't always better, and that they should also stick to making original stories and not sequels. We'll just have to wait and see if they follow that advice.

deventhakkar Rio 2 is the perfect sequel. it does a fantastic job taking off from where the previous film ends and literally soars to great heights introducing new ideas and with an interesting plot. it's so romantic that Blu and Jewel are a married couple with children. i only thought they were boyfriend/girlfriend. The film also has a great environmental message: SAVE THE RAINFOREST!!!!! It's powerfully moving, an awesome computer animation, brightly colored, has a lot of twists and turns, and a truly happy ending. I also like how the red and blue macaws team up and defeat the illegal loggers. Also, when Big Boss is eaten by a boa constrictor is quite an unexpected twist. I wonder what they are gonna come up with next, Rio 3 in Space? Whatever Carlos decides, I hope he does include a third film in the trilogy.

jhilton0907 This was my favorite out of the Rio franchise. I loved the first one, but loved this one even more. OK, first off, here are my thoughts on this delightful movie. It's just as good as the first one, so if you're a fan of Rio, then Rio 2 is perfect for you. From the very beginning of the movie, you can tell this is a Rio movie, and I enjoyed every minute of it.Another great thing about this movie is that it added a little light to Jewel's past. We all know that Jewel was separated from her parent in the first movie, but this, actually explained how it happened. Jewel is among my favorite characters, and I loved how it shedded some light on her past. If you're hoping for Blu's past to be revealed, then you're be disappointed, nothing was ever said about his past, just Jewel's. This movie is more focused on her being reunited with her family and Blu struggling to fit in.Another thing I loved about this is the music... The songs they sang are very good. Once I saw this, I got the soundtrack and couldn't stop listening to it, it was that good. The score to the movie is also good. It is another excellent soundtrack composed by John Powell, the original composer of Rio. If you're familiar with his work, then you will know his excellent score to Rio.Another thing you need to know, everyone is back from the first Rio. Jamie Foxx, Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, and many of the original cast returned for this and that makes this even more enjoyable. The new cast members are also enjoyable, including the excellent Andy Garcia. He is perfect for the role of Eduardo, but let's not forget the lovable Bruno Mars as Roberto. I was not familiar with him until I saw this and I now enjoy his music. For this being his first movie, Bruno Mars did an outstanding job as Roberto. He brought that character to life and added to the drama that was in the movie, with Blu thinking Roberto was going to steal Jewel away.The storyline was good, but like I said before, not much was said about Blu's past. We know how Jewel was separated from her family, but what I don't understand is why nothing was said about Blu's past. He had to have family like Jewel. Where are his parents? This may be a hint that Saldanha is going to focus Rio 3 on Blu and I hope he does. The loving moments between Blu and Jewel made me smile, and it's cute to see some love in movies like this. My favorite part was when Jewel laid her head on Blu and fell asleep in his wings, that was an great way to show Jewel's love for Blu.Saldanha, if you're reading this, you should be proud of this movie. You made another great movie and continue the great work. I hope you make Rio 3 and hope you continue the greatness like you did with this. This was by far your best work. So, if you are a love of animated movies, I suggest watching Rio 2. It's a lovable movie and one of the best sequels of 2014. This may not be an all time animated classic, but it is one of the best movies yet. If you move past the flaws in this, then you can enjoy this movie. Every movie will has flaws here and there, but the thing that makes a difference is to accept them and enjoy the movie. The only problems I did see in this movie is the leaving Blu's past unanswered. Like I said, this may be Saldanha's hint that Rio 3 might focus on Blu and his past, but it's all up to him.In the end, I give this movie 10 stars out of 10, I really enjoyed this movie and saw this three times in theaters. The 3D is worth the trip and if you enjoy 3D, then see this in 3D.

sjcrewever This film is a flamboyant reminder that we are no longer in the golden age of animated movies. In a decade where even Pixar can no longer churn out family classics, it might be a bit unrealistic to expect Blue Sky Studio's latest entry to combat the downward spiral. Rio 2 is as loud and colorful as you'd expect, and a bit grating to sit through for the sake of your loved ones. All flash and no substance, this movie is a hodgepodge of common animated tropes, afraid to rock the boat in any way. Included:'Do anything for family.' 'Races must stick together.' 'Racism and xenophobia are cool until the plot's climax forces them to work together.' 'Kids like outdated pop culture references, right?'The highest compliment that I can give is that the dialogue elicits a few chuckles and makes the film seem surprisingly self aware at times. Sadly, the laughs are few and drowned out by the movie's spastic pacing, which shuffles through its scenes like a deck of cards.Kids will love it and forget it, while adults will merely tolerate it and forget it. Rent instead of buy.