Rio 2 (2014)

Ever since the release of director Carlos Saldanha's 'Rio' back in 2011, I always expected a sequel to pop-up at any time following its success. Admittedly, I was skeptical at first of what success can 'Rio' bring out, but after Saldanha gave a glimpse of what his hometown was like and then announcing a sequel slowly coming around, it seemed to have set itself up as the new franchise for the studio (succeeding Ice Age).

Jumping ahead three years later, I honestly have no clue what several critics failed to see in this new movie. I caught Rio 2 on its first night and when I did, I was once again immersed and dazzled into the joy, spirit, and culture that is Rio de Janeiro. It was great hearing stars Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, George Lopez, and other recognizable names reprise their roles as Blu, Jewel, and the rest of their bird and human friends for a new adventure to explore another part of Brazil none have seen before.

The story begins months after where the first movie left off. Spix Macaws Blu and Jewel now have three kids of their own and seem content together as a family. However, upon hearing a news story announcing the possibility of others like them existing deep in the Amazon rain forest, Jewel decides to take a reluctant Blu and their kids out to find them by putting aside their human conveniences in Rio and try to re-adapt into the wild. Finding it difficult to blend in this leafy environment, Blu, his family, and friends face not just vengeful cockatoo Nigel, but a new threat lurking somewhere in the jungle.

The film's visuals were really mesmerizing with the seemingly realistic, luscious vegetation of the Amazon (it tends to somewhat remind me of the greenery setting in Blue Sky's 2013 film 'epic'), several good laughs involving the engaging "sky soccer" sequence that's a nod to the World Cup, and one notable song titled "Don't Go Away" sung by Hathaway (in my opinion) gave a sense of warmth and sentimentality; seemingly building off of her Award-winning success from 2012's musical 'Les Miserables.' Recruiting new voice actors like Andy Garcia, Kristin Chenoweth, Bruno Mars, and Amandla Stenberg (Hunger Games' Rue) sure delivered the quirks and interesting personalities of their own characters.

Although I'll admit a few songs were corny and unnecessary - namely Nigel's oddball rendition of 70s disco hit "I Will Survive" – and that several gags do cause lagging in the main story, I will say that the return of Brazilian music guru Sergio Mendes brought out new, vibrant samba/bossa nova flair that can be both lively and sentimental at the same time along with a set of new music artists (both American and Brazilian) contributing to the appealing soundtrack. It's more than just a movie that entertains young kids and maybe even their parents with catchy songs or humorous moments, it provides a moral lesson on the importance of family and an awareness of how wildlife thrives in their natural habitat, which shouldn't be mistreated. I recommend this to those willing to take a break from the animated spectacle hits that are 'Frozen' or 'Lego,' and wanting to engage in something visually, musically, and culturally different.