About Rio 2

Rio 2 is a 2014 American 3D computer-animated musical comedy film produced by Blue Sky Studios. It's the sequel to the 2011 film Rio. The story revolves around Blu, Jewel, and their three kids as they venture into the Amazon forest, leaving their domesticated life in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Their adventures begin as they try to fit in the wild while avoiding nemeses from Blu's past.

Making / Production

This film was directed by Carlos Saldanha, who also co-wrote the script with Don Rhymer, Carlos Kotkin, Jenny Bicks and Yoni Brenner. The production was conducted by Blue Sky Studios, and the film was distributed by 20th Century Fox. The film's animation and visual effects were created using Autodesk Maya and rendered using Autodesk's own CGI rendering tool.

Actors

• Jesse Eisenberg as Blu - A domesticated Spix’s Macaw from Minnesota. Eisenberg brings innocent charm and anxiety to the role as Blu continues his fish-out-of-water adventures in the wild.
• Anne Hathaway as Jewel - A free-spirited Spix’s Macaw from Rio de Janeiro. Hathaway's performance is heartwarming and evocative as Jewel learns to balance her wild instincts with her family life.
• Jemaine Clement as Nigel - A malicious Sulphur-crested Cockatoo that seeks revenge on Blu. Clement flawlessly embodies the role, making Nigel a delightfully theatrical and villainous character.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The "Amazon Untamed" show at the end of the film is a reference to "Rio: The 4D Experience," a 4D film experience at various zoos and aquariums worldwide.
• Jemaine Clement and Kristin Chenoweth sang their characters’ evil duet song themselves.
• This is the first Blue Sky Studios film to have a sequel outside of their existing Ice Age franchise.

Quotes

• Blu: “I'm not an ostrich. I'm a pretty bird.”
• Jewel: “We're not people, we're birds. We have to get out into the wild and be birds, Blu.”
• Nigel: "Did I mention I'm poison?"

Music and Soundtrack

• "What Is Love" by Janelle Monáe
• "Rio Rio" by Ester Dean featuring B.o.B
• "Beautiful Creatures" by Barbatuques, Andy Garcia, and Rita Moreno
• "Welcome Back" by Bruno Mars
• "Ô Vida" by Carlinhos Brown and Nina de Freitas

Awards

While Rio 2 wasn't nominated for any major awards, it was well-received by critics and audiences alike, especially for its colorful visuals, energetic musical sequences, and the fun, villainous character Nigel.