Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Catchy music and just a few predators in fun sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Rio 2
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Based on 28 kid reviews
Kids say the sequel is a colorful and entertaining adventure that comes with positive messages about family, courage, and environmental conservation, although it occasionally includes mild peril and language that some may consider inappropriate. While many enjoy the animation, music, and humor, some reviewers feel the storyline lacks depth and that it doesn't quite live up to the original film's charm.
- colorful animation
- positive messages
- mild peril
- lacks depth
- entertaining for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In RIO 2, rare blue macaw lovebirds Blu (voiced by Jesse Eisenberg) and Jewel (Anne Hathaway) are now married with three juvenile birds of their own, living in the bird sanctuary established by their married human friends Linda (Leslie Mann) and Tulio (Rodrigo Santoro). During a trip to the Amazon, Linda and Tulio discover that there are more blue macaws living in a remote cluster of Brazil nut trees deep in the rainforest. When news gets out about their discovery, Jewel decides that her overly domesticated family needs to go to the Amazon and find out about their roots -- and, as it turns out, her father, Eduardo (Andy Garcia), and old boyfriend, Roberto (Bruno Mars), are the leaders of the flock. Blu has a tough time acclimating to his new wild environment, but even more trouble is brewing: A greedy logging CEO and Blu's old nemesis, Nigel (Jemaine Clement), are both set to destroy the macaws and their habitat.
Is It Any Good?
Director Carlos Saldanha continues his visual love letter to his home country of Brazil with a second adventure exploring the natural beauty of his native land. The plot of Rio 2 may not be as thorough or exciting as the original, but moving the adventure to the Amazon adds even more colors and animals to a franchise that differentiated itself with its detail to landscapes and location. And thanks to spectacular singers like Mars, Kristin Chenoweth (as Gabi the hilarious poisonous frog), and Janelle Monae joining will.i.am, Clement, and Hathaway, the music is once again fabulously memorable.
Rio's "fish out of water" plot line for Blu already felt played out by the time the original movie was over, so it's a bit of a drag to see him still struggling to fit in with his wild(er) mate Jewel's idea of home. And Fernando, the orphaned boy who played such a prominent role in the original, is only seen once in this installment. But even though it's not quite as singular as its predecessor, Rio 2 is still a fun and thoughtful sequel that will make families leave the theater happy and ready to samba, learn capoeira, and adopt a capybara.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way Blu's family is presented in Rio 2. What about Blu seems similar to how dads are often depicted in movies and on TV? Do Jewel or the kids fit into any stereotypes -- or challenge them?
What makes animal adventures so appealing? Why do filmmakers -- and families -- gravitate toward movies that have animals as their main characters?
What did you learn about Brazil, especially the geography and culture? Does the movie make you want to listen to Brazilian music or to learn more about Brazil, wild birds, the Amazon, or any other wild animals?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 11, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : July 15, 2014
- Cast : Jesse Eisenberg , Anne Hathaway , Leslie Mann
- Director : Carlos Saldanha
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Director(s) , South American Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Run time : 101 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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