Rio 2 Parent Guide
A lot is packed into the 100 minutes of storyline. For children (or tired adults), it feels like a lot of work to keep all of the bad guys and side stories straight.
Parent Movie Review
After finding his wings in Rio, Blu, a rare blue macaw (voice by Jesse Eisenberg), has settled into domestic bliss in the Brazilian city with Jewel, his significant other (voice by Anne Hathaway), and their three little chicks. As they ring in the New Year with fireworks, life is good for the little family.
But all that changes when a television news story reports the possible discovery of a flock of blue macaws deep in the Amazon. Jewel is thrilled to find out they may not be the last of their kind. And before the nerdy, nature-phobic Blu knows what’s happening, Jewel has the kids ready for a high adventure trip into the jungle to find the elusive birds.
However, for the citified macaw, this is not a journey to be undertaken lightly. By the time the family and their plumaged pals—Rafael (voice of George Lopez), Nico (voice of Jaimie Foxx) and Pedro (voice of will.i.am)—take flight, Blu has his fanny pack stuffed with every imaginable doodad, including a GPS. Unfortunately there is nothing in the pouch to smooth the ruffled feathers when he meets Jewel’s father (voice of Andy García) and her childhood friend Roberto (voice of Bruno Mars).
Meanwhile Linda, Blu’s former owner (voice of Leslie Mann), and her husband, ornithologist Tulio Monteiro (voice of Rodrigo Santoro) are slogging their way through the Amazon undergrowth. They hope to spot the rare birds as well.
If that seems like more than enough storyline to fill 100 minutes, you’ll be in for a surprise. This plot also pits environmental agendas against evil loggers. And it introduces not one, but several antagonists—everything from a lollipop licking businessman to rival forest dwellers to an overdramatic cockatoo with revenge on his mind. That leads to some moments of peril for several characters. For children (or tired adults), it feels like a lot of work to keep all of the bad guys and side stories straight.
The film is also packed with a swarm of musical productions. While none of the songs will knock Frozen‘s “Let It Go” off the charts, the tunes are still catchy enough for most young viewers and give the film’s animators an excuse for plenty of flashy dance interludes that mimic the revelry of Carnival. Other numbers look surprisingly similar to West Side Story or Battle of the Year.
Most of the characters from the first movie show up for at least a cameo. And that makes for lots of juggling to give everyone some screen time. But luckily, in between all the flurry of feathers, Blu still manages to man up enough to save the flock and his little family as well.
Directed by Carlos Saldanha. Starring Anne Hathaway, Leslie Mann, Jesse Eisenberg, Rodrigo Santoro. Running time: 101 minutes. Theatrical release April 11, 2014. Updated July 17, 2017
Rio 2
Rating & Content Info
Why is Rio 2 rated G? Rio 2 is rated G by the MPAA
Violence: Kids play with matches. A character’s tail starts on fire and he is shot into the air. The film contains frequent cartoon-style mishaps where characters slip, trip and run into things. A character is hit with a stick. One bird attempts to poison another. Characters destroy nature, tie up people and use large machines and explosives to knock down trees. Characters are chased and swallowed.
Sexual Content: Some brief, veiled sexual innuendo is included along with some embracing.
Language: The script contains some brief name-calling.
Alcohol / Drug Use:Characters pop corks and clink glasses during a New Year’s Eve celebration.
Page last updated July 17, 2017
Rio 2 Parents' Guide
What compromises do Jewel and Blu have to make in their relationship for the benefit of their family? Why is Jewel anxious to get the kids out of the city and have them experience nature?
Are you a nature lover or do you prefer the comforts of the city?
Home Video
The most recent home video release of Rio 2 movie is November 4, 2014. Here are some details…
Home Video Notes: Rio 2 Sing-Along
Release Date: 4 November 2014
Rio 2 releases in a Sing-along version, available for home video (Blu-ray or DVD) on November 4, 2014. As well as providing lyric tracks for favorite songs (like What is Love, I Will Survive, Rio Rio and more), this package includes:
- Rio 1 Refresher
- Birds & Beats: The Singing Talents of Rio 2
- I Will Survive multi-language music video
Home Video Notes: Rio 2
Release Date: 15 July 2014
Rio 2 releases to home video (3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray or DVD) with the following special features:
Rio 2 (3D Blu-ray and Blu-ray)
- Deleted Scene - Practice
- Rio Refresher
- Boom, Shake, Snap: The Local Sounds of Brazil (The Bodybeats of the Barbatuques, How to Play the Barbatuques!, Rhythmic Rio, The Upbeat Uakti JamBehind The Scenes)
- Birds and Beats: The Singing Talents of Rio 2
- Nigel the Shakespearean Cockatoo and Friends
- Music, Dance, Sing-Along Machine
- Music Machine (What Is Love, Ô Vida, Poisonous Love, Welcome Back, Beautiful Creatures, Don’t Go Away, It’s a Jungle Out Here, I Will Survive, Bola Viva, Batucada Family,
- Dance-Along (What Is Love, Ô Vida, Beautiful Creatures, It’s a Jungle Out Here)
Sing-Along (What Is Love, Welcome Back, Beautiful Creatures, Don’t Go Away, It’s a Jungle Out Here, I Will Survive)
- You Be the Judge (Tapir Audition, Monkey Audition, Turtle Audition)
-“What is Love?” by Janelle Monáe
- “I Will Survive” Multi-Language Sequence
- Still Gallery
- Theatrical Trailers
Rio 2 (DVD)
- Rio Refresher
- Birds and Beats: The Singing Talents of Rio 2
- Nigel the Shakespearean Cockatoo and Friends
- “What is Love?” by Janelle Monáe
- “I Will Survive” Multi-Language Sequence
- Still Gallery
- Theatrical Trailers
Related home video titles:
This movie is the sequel to the animation Rio. Other stories that feature birds include Paulie, The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, Fly Away Home and Bolt.