Last weekend our family had a chance to watch an advanced screening of the new movie RIO, which comes out in theaters today. I was excited to attend the screening for a couple of reasons: we had already seen various trailers and were wanting to watch it and we had not been to the movies since baby boy was born. We were hesitant to bring him along, but had no choice in the matter due to the fact that he won’t accept a bottle. Thankfully, baby boy did an amazing job! He actually watched part of the movie, nursed mid-way through, and then fell asleep towards the end.
I’m sure you’ve seen the trailers and have heard of the movie, but here’s a bit of background information from the official movie synopsis to help you learn what the movie RIO is about:
Blu is a domesticated Macaw who never learned to fly, living a comfortable life with his owner and best friend Linda in the small town of Moose Lake, Minnesota. Blu and Linda think he’s the last of his kind, but when they learn about another Macaw who lives in Rio de Janeiro, they head to the faraway and exotic land to find Jewel, Blu’s female counterpart. Not long after they arrive, Blu and Jewel are kidnapped by a group of bungling animal smugglers.
The opening sequence alone makes the movie worth watching in my opinion. Right away, my kids (baby boy included) and I were captivated by the vibrant colors and rhythms. Baby girl started dancing in her seat right away. As we say, ¡la música está en su sangre! Music lives in her blood and the fantastic drum beats of Samba moved her. You can actually take a sneak peek and see the opening sequence for yourself in this video of the first two minutes of RIO. For other RIO video clips and trailers, visit the RIO YouTube channel.
RIO had us laughing the whole time. In fact, the entire theater was full of laughter – both kids and adults. Complementing the laughs, were great music and amazing colors. It’s no surprise to me that the music was so great, since RIO includes original music by Sergio Mendes & will.i.am, both of whom I’m a fan. The movie also has the voice talent of Anne Hathaway, George Lopez, will.i.am, Jamie Foxx and Carlos Ponce, amongst others. The voices are a perfect fit for each character too.
We are still replaying some of the funniest scenes in our house. Probably the favorite scene for all of us was when Pedro, the bird voiced by will.i.am, sings “…Take her, take her to the floor. Show her, show her how you roll. Drop it, drop it, drop it low. Drop it low…” Our family truly enjoyed the movie RIO and I can’t wait for it to come out on DVD so we can watch it again!
Do you plan on watching RIO this weekend with your family? If they enjoy it as much as my family did, your kids may come home asking for more. As with most movies, there is a full line of RIO products available, including Angry Birds RIO, which my daughter promptly requested I download. You can also download this printable RIO kids activity sheet for your children to enjoy! And, finally, be sure to enter this giveaway for more RIO movie fun!
Giveaway
Enter for your chance to win a prize pack consisting of a RIO coloring book and crayons, plus a $25 Fandango gift card.
How to Enter
Required entry: If you’d like to enter this contest, simply leave a comment below telling us what you think you’ll like about RIO, based on the previews and information I provided.
Extra entries (optional):
Each of the following will count as 1 extra entry. You’ll need to leave a separate comment for each entry.
- Follow @modernmami on twitter.
- Tweet the following: Enter to win a RIO movie prize pack from @modernmami including Fandango gc! http://bit.ly/riomovieprize #giveaway #contest #movies #RioMovie
- Receive post updates by subscribing to our RSS feed. You can do so either via email or through a RSS reader. Leave a comment saying you did so or are already a subscriber.
- Subscribe on friendfeed and leave a comment with your friendfeed ID.
- Like ModernMami™.com on Facebook.
- Write a blog post on your own blog sharing the details of this contest. Be sure to include a link back to this post. Leave a comment with your post link.
All entries must be in by Monday, April 25, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST. You must have a valid U.S. address to enter. Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry. The winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be notified via email. (Please be sure to provide a valid email address with your entry.) Winner will have 48 hours to respond and claim prize, otherwise a new winner will be chosen.
Disclosure: I attended a complimentary advance screening of the movie RIO and received information in order to facilitate this review/giveaway. No compensation received. As always, all opinions and thoughts are my own. Affiliate links used.
Photos and other assets provided.
My sister-in-law and brother have a Macaw. I think the kids will love Rio because they can call Auntie and tell her all about him! I love a good family movie that parents won’t fall asleep in.
Already follow you on Twitter!
I tweeted about this awesome giveaway!
Subscribed to your feed!
Thanks for the heads up on the FriendFeed! Now following you!
Already a fan on Facebook!
We’re hoping to go see this movie this weekend. I think that I would love all the colorful animation. Thanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
I’m a twitter follower (peg42)
Thanks again
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/peg42/status/58958660159811584
Thanks
I’m an email subscriber.
I’m a FB friend (Margaret E. Smith)
OMG I cant wait it is go n to be so cute
I would like it because it is made by the same people who made Ice Age, very funny
kitkat 234 at gmail dot com
Follow on twitter @kitkat234
kitkat 234 at gmail dot com
Tweeted~
http://twitter.com/kitkat234/status/58964244632322048
Email subscriber
kitkat 234 at gmail dot com
Like you on facebook Katy Y
I think I would love this movie because it sounds like it has good music, good choice of celebrity voice overs and colors. Plus it’s a comedy with a happy ending.
Karengreene1826@aol.com
I think I will like all the birds in the movie.
Follow you on Twitter; rhoneygee
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/rhoneygee/status/58991215273717760
My kids were fascinated by the music and colors in the first scene but I knew we would like this movie just because it features Brazil and the beautiful birds and music!
I follow you on twitter @mamalatina
I am looking forward to the music! Rio music!
I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/mamalatina/status/59013707660918784
I’m an RSS subscriber
I like modernmami in FB
I like that is a cut movie with a message about leaving animals in their habitats
I follow you on twitter
susbcribe via email
I follow you on Twitter.
The animation looks great and my daughter will love the dog.
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
I follow you on Twitter (@mami2jcn)
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
tweet:http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/59044310791897088
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
I subscribe to your email updates.
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
I like you on Facebook with my username Mary Happymommy.
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
I’d like the vibrant colors and rhythms.
We just came back from Rio! I wasn’t expecting Tracy Morgan to show up 🙂 I was peeing myself laughing. Awesome movie.
the interaction between the birds and the trouble they will get in
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I can’t wait to see this movie! I didn’t really know much about it until reading this, but we are bird-loving central (my husband runs a bird park!) and I have been Sergio Mendes’s #1 fan since I was little. I have all this RECORDS (as in LP) and that is why I bought a record player two years ago after my old one finally died. Throw in the bilingual aspect and this movie was made for us.
Thanks for sharing!
I follow you on Twitter.
I like you on FB!
I like how it is so colorful
I am @sohamolina twitter follower—-eddiem11@ca.rr.com
I am an email subscriber- eddiem11@ca.rr.com
Like ModernMami™.com on Facebook.
I’ll like the bright animation.
I think it looks like a really cute movie. Seems like it would have quite a few laughs in it.
talking birds
I think the movie sounds really good.We are excited to see it.Thanks for the review and the giveaway:)
Follow @modernmami on twitter.@tcarolinep
http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/59286186442756096
I’m a subscriber
Subscribe on friendfeed
Jessie C.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
I would like to see Blu finally learn to fly. Thank you!
I’m sure I’ll enjoy the music and the comedy.
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/clc408/status/59339250222641152
Like you on fb (Cynthia Conley)
I think the movie looks cute and my granddaughter would love it.
kport207 at gmail dot com
dont wanna enter the give away but loved the review will take my 2 year old to see it when it releases here 😀
If Rio is from the makers of ice age it should be good!
Follow @modernmami on twitter.
mrcheapo
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/mrcheapo/status/59406231298772992
Subscribed via RSS Google reader.
mikeanderson203(at)juno(dot)com
Like ModernMami.com on FB.
mrcheapo
I LOVE Will.i.am. in cartoons. He is hilarious. I loved him as Moto Moto in Madagascar. This movie looks really cute. I cant wait to see it.
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
follow you on twitter from @mistysunrise
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
tweet
http://twitter.com/MistySunrise/status/59508304078057472
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
sub by rss google reader
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
like you on facebook as Misty Sunrise
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
Congratulations! You won. 🙂
can’t wait 2 see will.i.am playing one of the birds!
following you on twitter @shuggysmommy
subscribe via google reader
agatewood1@ymail.com
http://twitter.com/#!/shuggysmommy/status/59629843385548800
I think that rio will be funny. Something we can watch without worrying about covering ears and hoping that my daughter “didn’t get that.”
brittneydejajason (@) gmail(dot)com
There’s nothing better than goofy animal characters.
I’m looking forward to hearing all the celebrity voices!
nrdunningATgmailDOTcom
i think it looks like a great kids movie, one i’d actually watch & not groan about!
autumn398 @ yahoo.com
I think it looks really funny, especially the character of Nigel!
jmcharries@cox.net
I follow @modernmami on twitter under the name JCHARRIES
jmcharries@cox.net
I tweeted at http://twitter.com/#!/JCHARRIES/status/59789764353732608
jmcharries@cox.net
I am an e-mail subscriber
jmcharries@cox.net
I like ModernMami on Facebook. and my homepage is http://www.facebook.com/jacob.charries
jmcharries@cox.net
I just read this movie beat Scream 4 over the weekend…I must admit it looks like fun!
I am following you on twitter, going to look for you on facebook and I want to see the movie with my granddaughter…I cannot wait….
I think my family will like all the music.
tweet http://twitter.com/#!/5memb/status/60319953387134976
I saw it and I loved all the bright beautiful birds. I have always dreamed of owning a Hyacinth Macaw.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@yahoo.com
i think we’d like the colorful animals
I know I’ll love RIO because I can’t stop rapping:
Ge-ge-ge-ge-get It girl
Taker her, Taker to the flo (floor)
Show? her, show her how you ro ( Roll)
Drop it, dro-drop it low!
I follow you on twitter
I like ModernMami on Facebook
I think I would like the animation. It is colorful, clean, and crisp.
ive already seen it (couldnt wait!) and LOVED the music numbers and the monkeys!
ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am looking forward to the bright colors and the humor. This sounds like a movie the whole family would thoroughly enjoy.
Following on twitter: jashelep
I think the kids would like the vibrant colors and rhythms
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
I like that it’s a fun family movie.
it looks bright & fun. kind of reminds me of the tiki room in disneyland
we all love animated features here!
I love animals so I’m sure just the movie in general will be fun to watch. The dog will probably be the most exciting for me!
I think I’ll like the story of the movie.honeypie411 at yahoo dot com
I think I would like how happy it would make my kids!
I would like the movie due to the colorful animation and the humor.
txhottie_86 at yahoo dot com
I think my daughter and I will love all the colorful birds and songs!
I follow you on twitter @pittsy82
tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/pittsy82/status/62325991271440384
looks funny to me!
Thanks for the entry!
Janna Johnson
jannajanna@hotmail.com
http://www.feedyourpigblog.com
I think I will love it because every single one of the trailers as well as your preview commentary has been truly funny. I love when I find myself laughing to silly antics by characters. The cast is awesome too! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m an email subscriber, thanks!
kconklin1028@gmail.com
I think this will be a funny and heart warming movie that my kids and I will love! It looks so cute, we can’t wait to see it! Thanks!
Follow @modernmami on twitter @amied027.
tweeted- http://twitter.com/#!/amied027/status/62378987116167168
Like ModernMami™.com on Facebook under Rene Denning.
I think I’ll like the animation.
the wolf
The music and all the colors!
haydensmommy05@hotmail.com
I folow on twitter!
I subscribe by email!
i think i’m going to love the music in the movie rio
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
the birds love them!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
follow you on twitter
amyhd29
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
fb fan
amyd
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
I think I’d like the music!
amandasandico at yahoodotcom
From what I hear the music is fantastic. I’d also like to see some of the environment the characters will exist in.
From the reviews, I would like that i ‘s a cute funny movie
I want to see this movie because I love Macaws and my kids do, too. Looks great!
Lori L.
I like ModernMami.com on Facebook.
I’m always fascinated by how realistic the moves the animated characters are! Sounds like a really cute movie- we’ll have to rent it sometime.
Thanks for the giveaway!
i follow @modernmami on twitter – js22222222 .
tweet: http://twitter.com/js22222222/status/62671641234259969
I will like to see the animation and hear the music.
My kids and I would love this movie because the characters look lively and funny.
I think I’ll love the great characters and animation and the storyline will bring some attention to endangered animals so that’s awesome 😀
justine417@comcast.net
I think I’ll like the setting being in one of the most exotic wonderful spots in the world!
I follow you on Twitter (mail4rosey).
Tweet
http://twitter.com/mail4rosey/status/62690025573326848
I am an e-mail subscriber.
I like you on FB (Sarah Smile).
I think the characters look cute!
Just seeing the birds. A friend rescues all kinds, and that will be so fun to just see an animated version of some of them.
I’m following you on Twitter (I’m @LuckyJinxy).
I’m subscribed to your RSS feed in my Google Reader.
I’ll like the music & colors.
Thanks for the contest.
http://twitter.com/slehan/status/62717349026988032
Twitter follow you: slehan
FB like you: Slehan
I think the kids and I will love the music and the fact that it looks so funny
email subscriber
I’m following you via twitter
shesanangel417
justine417@comcast.net
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/ShesAnAngel417/status/62724904189046785
justine417@comcast.net
I like you on facebook
justine pierson
justine417@comcast.net
I like birds so that is what I like so far..
I’m an email subscriber.