RBR: Rio

This computer animated film from last spring is a complete paint-by-numbers effort. Admittedly, the paint used is a dazzlingly array of color. This is a great looking film with vibrant scenery and creatures. For me though, that only goes so far. It's the story here that is a let down. It centers on a domesticated bird (voiced by Jesse Eisenberg) who is taken back to Rio in an effort to repopulate his species with the only remaining female bird of his kind (voiced by Anne Hathaway). Along the way, we move through one cliched story point to the next as the movie heavily borrows from better films like The Defiant Ones and Finding Nemo. To pad things out they throw in a handful of musical numbers that are in the moment pleasant but utterly forgettable. This film will probably be best appreciated by small children who will be easily mesmerized by the bright colors and goofy characters but there's nothing much for anyone older to latch onto here and enjoy. Rating: ** 1/2