Rio 2

This animated sequel finds last remaining Spix Macaw pair Blu (voiced by Jesse Eisenberg) and free-spirited Jewel (Anne Hathaway) busy raising their three chicks: Bia (Amandla Stenberg), Tiago (Pierce Gagnon), and Carla (Rachel Crow). After Blu's buddies—traveling human eco-activists Tulio (Rodrigo Santoro) and Linda (Leslie Mann), who are trying to halt logging in the Amazon rainforest—discover a wild flock of Spix Macaw, Jewel decides that it's time to introduce her iPod-loving kids to their natural habitat in South America. Nerdy, neurotic Blu, who wears a fanny pack with a GPS for navigation, is understandably reluctant about making the 2,000-mile journey, but they nevertheless head for Rio de Janeiro, along with party-hearty toucan Rafael (George Lopez), and the rapper duo of cardinal Pedro (will.i.am) and canary Nico (Jamie Foxx). Before long, they find Jewel's long-lost family, including her father, Eduardo (Andy Garciá), Aunt Mimi (Rita Moreno), and preening childhood playmate, Roberto (Bruno Mars), whose charm ignites Blu's jealousy. Meanwhile, the villainous, Shakespeare-quoting cockatoo Nigel (Jemaine Clement) is plotting revenge with Gabi (Kristin Chenoweth), a poisonous pink-and-purple dart frog, and mute Charlie, a tap-dancing anteater with an extra-long, elastic tongue. Chaotically scripted from a story by Brazilian-born director Carlos Saldanha, Rio 2 is full of vivid color and jubilant musical numbers, but this is ultimately an uneven and frantic film. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include the featurettes “Birds and Beats: The Singing Talents” featurette (10 min.), “Nigel the Shakespearean Cockatoo and Friends” (7 min.), and “Rio Refresher” (4 min.), a “What is Love” music video by Janelle Monáe, an “I Will Survive” multi-language sequence, a stills gallery, and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are “Boom, Shake, Snap: The Local Sounds of Brazil” music featurettes (20 min. total), “You Be the Judge” audition tapes (2 min.), a brief deleted scene, a “Music, Dance, Sing-Along Machine” offering different viewing options, and bonus DVD, digital and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a so-so sequel.] (S. Granger)