--- title: "Rio: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/rio/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/rio" critics_score: 63 critics_reviews: 13 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): what the critics said Critics' score 63 from 13 reviews: 4 positive, 8 mixed, 1 negative. 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. ## Variety — Leslie Felperin Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 8 April 2011. 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 the review](https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/rio-1117944990/) ## Empire — Olly Richards Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2009. 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 the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/rio-review/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 7 April 2011. 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 the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/apr/07/rio-review) ## Screen Daily — Mark Adams Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 7 April 2011. The review’s verdict cannot be determined from the paywalled material shown. No specific praise or complaint is visible. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/-rio/5025960.article) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 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 the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/15/movies/rio-animated-comedy-with-jesse-eisenberg-review.html) ## Time Out — Derek Adams Rating 3/5. 5 April 2011. 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 the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/rio) ## Slant Magazine — Glenn Heath Jr. Rating 1.5/4. 11 April 2011. 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 the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/rio/) ## Digital Spy — Simon Reynolds Rating 4/5. 4 April 2011. 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 the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a311740/rio/) ## HeyUGuys — Vicki Isitt Rating 3.5/5. 5 April 2011. 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 the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/rio-review/) ## Collider — Jackson Jackson Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 6 September 2011. 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 the review](https://collider.com/rio-blu-ray-review/) ## Eye for Film — Anton Bitel Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 30 March 2011. 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 the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/rio-film-review-by-anton-bitel) ## Den of Geek — Simon Brew Rating 3/5. 31 March 2011. 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 the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/rio-review/) ## The Playlist Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 15 April 2011. 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 the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-rio-only-occasionally-takes-flight-20110415/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/rio.md