Angry Birds: Rio the Movie Review & Giveaway ($25 Fandango GC)

April 15, 2011 By Leticia

Congratulations to Michelle, lucky #20, who will be receiving a $25 Fandango gift card and a Rio coloring book!

Oh Angry Birds! You sucked us in with the addictive app and now there are sounds of Samba stuck in our head after catching a preview of Rio, the G-rated movie that brings the birds to the big screen. This charming animated 3D movie has all the elements of a good story with the theme of animal conservation cleverly woven in throughout the story that takes place in Rio de Janeiro.

The story begins in the jungles of Rio where birds strutting and shaking to samba sounds are captured by animal smugglers. One of the birds is Blu (Jesse Eisenberg), a rare blue macaw, whose crate falls off the truck destined for an exotic pet store. He’s discovered cold and shivering in Moose Lake, Minnesota and pampered by Linda, a bookish bird lovin’ sort of gal, who swears he’s a “companion” rather than a pet.

Being one of the last two surviving Blue Macaws in the world, he’s sought after by an animal conservation group that wants to preserve the species. Linda reluctantly takes Blu to Rio and that’s where the adventure and love story begins.

The movie takes Blu, and feisty female macaw, Jewel (Anne Hathaway), through Rio where they meet a hilarious cast of characters including a bird duo of Pedro (will.i.am) and Nico (Jamie Foxx) and a slobbery bulldog named Luis (Tracy Morgan) as they try to escape Nigel, the evil has-been of a cockatoo who is hell bent on capturing them for his sinister smuggling humans. With new friends by his side, Blu learns to fly after being overly domesticated in Minnesota, thwarts the smugglers, and returns Linda, and finds love with Jewel.

Having previously been to Rio, I loved the realistic depiction of the city through the movie including the black and white patterns on the sidewalk along the beaches to the samba stadium for Carnival! Tech Savvy Daddy’s diverse musical tastes loved how the film incorporated Brazilian samba and music by will.i.am (Hot Wings). And the kids loved the entire thing! Captain Computer giggled throughout!

Here’s a behind the scenes look at the movie and music:

By the way, 20^th Century Fox was just awarded the Kids First Seal for Rio which means Coalition for Quality Children’s Media has approved the movie!

GIVEAWAY: On behalf of Rio, I’m giving away a prize pack containing a $25 Fandango gift certificate and a Rio coloring book and crayons.

TO ENTER: Share your favorite version of Angry Birds and include your email or Twitter handle in your comment! Are you a fan of the new Rio, do you stick to the classic, or are still into the holiday version? No judging! Just curious to know which is your fave! Winner will be selected among eligible entries on April 29.

For extra entries, complete the above and leave a comment after you do any of the following:

Daily Tweet: Tweet this and leave the link in your comment: Read @TechSavvyMama’s #RioMovie review & enter 2 win Rio prize pack w/ $25 @Fandango GC: www.TechSavvyMama.com
Update your Facebook status to read: I read Tech Savvy Mama’s Rio movie review & entered to win a Fandango gift card on TechSavvyMama.com

For a second opinion on whether Rio is right for your family, read Common Sense Media’s movie review.

And one last clip of something that parents can identify with!