---
title: "Rio"
year: 2011
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/rio"
fi1m_id: "rio"
imdb_id: "tt1436562"
tmdb_id: 46195
wikidata_id: "Q223359"
fi1m_score: 70
critics_score: 63
critics_reviews: 13
published: "2026-09-24T03:57:23.011674+00:00"
updated: "2026-09-24T03:57:23.291949+00:00"
region: "DK"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Rio (2011)

Directed by Carlos Saldanha · 1h 36m · Medierådet 7 · Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family

## Identity

Rio

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/rio
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** rio
- **IMDb ID:** tt1436562
- **TMDB ID:** 46195
- **Wikidata ID:** Q223359
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1436562/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/46195, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q223359

**Fi1m score: 70** · Critics 63 from 13 reviews

*In a sentence:* Jemaine Clement gets a musical number and immediately makes good behaviour look dull

> Carlos Saldanha’s *Rio* offers colourful animation, lively voices and a pleasingly unpleasant villain in Jemaine Clement’s Nigel. The familiar story and uneven songs keep it from being more than a good family diversion.

## Synopsis

Rio de Janeiro is the setting for an animated adventure featuring Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) and Jewel (Anne Hathaway). Linda (Leslie Mann) and Tulio (Rodrigo Santoro) are also involved, while Nigel (Jemaine Clement) provides the villainy and performs a musical number. The city appears from the air and through its favelas, with birds and flying sequences part of the action. Rafael (George López), Pedro (will.i.am) and Nico (Jamie Foxx) join an ensemble that also includes Luiz (Tracy Morgan) and Fernando (Jake T. Austin).

## Review

Carlos Saldanha’s *Rio* is a good family diversion, with enough humour and visual pleasure to carry a familiar story. It wants to keep the birds moving, the music playing and the city spread out beneath them, and those are reasonable ambitions for an animated adventure. It is less interested in finding a fresh way through its plot. For a family evening that needs something cheerful rather than demanding, it does the job.

The strongest reason to choose it is the animation, particularly the birds and the aerial views of Rio de Janeiro. Renato Falcão’s cinematography uses light and depth to give those views a sense of space, so that the flying feels exciting rather than merely busy. The colours are bold without making the city difficult to read. Even when the story is doing something expected, there is usually something in the image worth attending to.

Jesse Eisenberg’s Blu and Anne Hathaway’s Jewel make agreeable company, but Jemaine Clement’s Nigel is the character we would keep. His villainy gives the sweetness a needed interruption, and his musical number allows the comedy to become properly unpleasant. We laughed at Nigel’s song because Clement makes the character’s nastiness sound so thoroughly enjoyable to him. There is a particular pleasure in hearing someone take such care over being objectionable when much of the surrounding film is trying hard to be liked.

The music credited to John Powell and Carlinhos Brown helps sustain the bustle, although the songs are uneven enough that not every interruption feels earned. Some numbers bring a welcome change of pace; others make us more aware of how much the film depends on staying lively. Harry Hitner’s editing keeps that liveliness from becoming exhausting. The pace is generally brisk, but it can also hurry us past moments that might have benefited from a little more time with the characters.

The screenplay, credited to Sam Harper, Don Rhymer, Joshua Sternin and Jennifer Ventimilia, is the weak point. Its familiar progress matters because an adventure needs some uncertainty, even when nobody expects it to become particularly frightening. Too often we can anticipate the kind of scene coming next, and the attractive animation has to supply the interest that the writing has not. The good humour helps, but it cannot make a predictable stretch feel inventive.

There is also something limiting about how prettily the city is presented. The favelas fit comfortably into the colourful surroundings, and the film gives us little reason to consider them as places beyond the view. A family comedy need not stop for a lesson, but this much tidiness makes the setting feel a little too carefully selected for visitors. Its approach is typical of the safer end of family animation, where even the scenery must avoid making anyone uncomfortable.

We would recommend it with modest expectations, particularly when the appeal is colourful birds, broad comedy and music. At 96 minutes, it does not make an unreasonable claim on the evening, and there is enough pleasure in the animation to forgive some thin writing. Choose it for the birds and Clement; do not expect the screenplay to keep pace with either.

*Fi1m score 70, published 24 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews lean towards qualified approval, with most critics finding Rio an enjoyable family film whose animation supplies much of the pleasure. Praise clusters around the tropical colours, detailed city setting and flying sequences, with several critics singling out the lighting and depth of the imagery. The voice performances and musical numbers also find support, particularly Jemaine Clement’s villain, whose songs and comic menace appeal even to some reviewers less persuaded by the film around him.

Reservations centre on a familiar story and a screenplay that plays too safely, though critics differ on how much the energy and charm compensate. There are smaller complaints about uneven songs and character design, alongside concern that the favelas look overly picturesque. The spread runs from enthusiastic approval to Slant Magazine’s judgement that the film is narratively hollow and uninspired, but the balance remains closer to modest enjoyment than outright rejection.

## Straight answers

**Is Rio worth watching?**

*Rio* is worth watching as a cheerful family diversion, particularly for its colourful birds, broad comedy and music; we score it 70 out of 100. The familiar story and uneven songs limit its appeal, but the flying sequences and Jemaine Clement’s enjoyably unpleasant Nigel give us enough reason to recommend it with modest expectations.

**How long is Rio, and what is it rated?**

*Rio* runs 1h 36m and is rated 7 by the Medierådet in Denmark. It is an animation and adventure film.

**Where can I watch Rio in Denmark?**

*Rio* is streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ in Denmark, and it is also available to rent from Apple TV from kr 39.00. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does Rio compare to Chicken Run?**

*Rio* is a good family diversion, but we recommend [*Chicken Run*](https://film.one/film/chicken-run) more warmly for its sharper jokes and more inventive escape plans. *Rio* suits an evening built around colourful flying sequences and music, while *Chicken Run* offers expressive animation and voices that make us care more about its captive flock.

**What should I watch after Rio?**

After *Rio*, try [*Chicken Run*](https://film.one/film/chicken-run) (2000, Fi1m 84): Another animated flock, with sharper jokes and more inventive escape plans. Then [*Ernest & Celestine*](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine) (2012, Fi1m 84): Animal companionship, warm humour and animation that gives gentleness its proper weight; and [*The Jungle Book*](https://film.one/film/the-jungle-book) (1967, Fi1m 80): Try this for animal comedy and songs that justify stopping the story.

### Reviews we read (13)

- **Variety**, Leslie Felperin (75/100, inferred): Felperin finds the animation polished and entertaining, despite screenplay gaps and uneven character design. She especially praises the vivid lighting and colorful depiction of Rio. [Read](https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/rio-1117944990/)
- **Empire**, Olly Richards (70/100, inferred): Richards finds the film generic but irresistibly energetic and charming. He praises its tropical colours, lively voice performances and especially Jemaine Clement’s songs. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/rio-review/)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (65/100, inferred): Bradshaw finds it a sweet-natured, decent family film. He praises its sunny, spectacular look, while noting that its depiction of Rio’s favelas is rather picturesque. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/apr/07/rio-review)
- **Screen Daily**, Mark Adams (64/100, inferred): The review’s verdict cannot be determined from the paywalled material shown. No specific praise or complaint is visible. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/-rio/5025960.article)
- **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The page could not be accessed, so its verdict and specific praise or criticism cannot be determined. The available response contains only a JavaScript and ad-blocker notice. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/15/movies/rio-animated-comedy-with-jesse-eisenberg-review.html)
- **Time Out**, Derek Adams (3/5): The page is a review of the 2011 film, but its review text is unavailable here. Its metadata suggests Saldanha’s Rio de Janeiro roots informed the project, though no specific verdict or praised element is visible. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/rio)
- **Slant Magazine**, Glenn Heath Jr. (1.5/4): The critic finds the film visually energetic but narratively hollow and ultimately uninspired. He singles out Nigel’s darkly comic musical number and grotesque menace as the film’s most enduring asset. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/rio/)
- **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds (4/5): The critic finds Rio lively, engaging and well worth seeing. They single out its beautifully rendered setting and Jemaine Clement’s entertaining villain for praise. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a311740/rio/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Vicki Isitt (3.5/5): The review finds Rio better than expected and likely to entertain children and adults. It praises the characters, vibrant setting and musical numbers, while noting familiar genre pitfalls and uneven songs. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/rio-review/)
- **Collider**, Jackson Jackson (65/100, inferred): The critic finds Rio decently entertaining, though its familiar story keeps it from being great. They praise the animation, especially the birds, aerial views, and flying sequences. [Read](https://collider.com/rio-blu-ray-review/)
- **Eye for Film**, Anton Bitel (65/100, inferred): Bitel finds the film entertaining and visually spectacular, but too safe and formulaic. He especially praises the sweeping, depth-rich 3D imagery of Rio de Janeiro. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/rio-film-review-by-anton-bitel)
- **Den of Geek**, Simon Brew (3/5): Brew finds Rio competently made and enjoyable, but too familiar and safe to stand out among animated films. He especially praises its vivid, detailed animation and colorful set pieces. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/rio-review/)
- **The Playlist** (45/100, inferred): The headline suggests a mixed verdict: the film only occasionally takes flight. The accessible page does not reveal what the critic specifically praised or criticized. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/review-rio-only-occasionally-takes-flight-20110415/)

## Details

- **Director:** Carlos Saldanha
- **Director:** Carlos Saldanha
- **Screenplay:** Sam Harper, Don Rhymer, Joshua Sternin, Jennifer Ventimilia
- **Story:** Earl Richey Jones, Carlos Saldanha, Todd Jones
- **Cinematography:** Renato Falcão
- **Editor:** Harry Hitner
- **Music:** John Powell, Carlinhos Brown
- **Producer:** Bruce Anderson, John C. Donkin, Patrick Worlock
- **Cast:** Jesse Eisenberg as Blu (voice); Anne Hathaway as Jewel (voice); Leslie Mann as Linda (voice); Jane Lynch as Alice / Goose (voice); will.i.am as Pedro (voice); George López as Rafael (voice); Wanda Sykes as Chloe / Goose (voice); Jamie Foxx as Nico (voice)
- **Runtime:** 1h 36m
- **Certificate (Medierådet):** 7
- **Release (Denmark):** 14 April 2011
- **Genres:** Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family
- **Budget:** $90 million
- **Box office:** $484 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf6zeRwk5LE

## Where to watch in Denmark

- Amazon Prime Video: streaming
- Disney+: streaming, uhd
- Apple TV: rent kr 39.00, hd
- Apple TV: buy kr 99.00, hd

*Checked 2026-09-24.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TR, UA, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Annie Award for Best Animated Feature 2011: Annie Award for Best Animated Feature (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *Chicken Run* (2000), Fi1m 84: Another animated flock, with sharper jokes and more inventive escape plans. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/chicken-run.md)
- *Ernest & Celestine* (2012), Fi1m 84: Animal companionship, warm humour and animation that gives gentleness its proper weight. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine.md)
- *The Jungle Book* (1967), Fi1m 80: Try this for animal comedy and songs that justify stopping the story. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-jungle-book.md)
- *A Town Called Panic* (2009): For families who would welcome rather less order in their animated adventures.
- *Kiki's Delivery Service* (1989), Fi1m 86: More flying, with a quieter interest in the person learning to manage it. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/kikis-delivery-service.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/rio