One thing that Blue Sky Studios does better than anyone is casting the perfect voice for its colorful characters. Horton Hears a Who! was a hoot, primarily because of the dynamic voice/character melds of Jim Carrey and Steve Carell. The company seems to have outdone themselves with its next feature, based on the trailer for Rio, which features Jesse Eisenberg as an over-domesticated blue macaw, the last male of his species on Earth. Anyone who’s seen Zombieland or The Social Network can imagine Eisenberg as Blu, a reserved creature of habit not fully ready for the wild or the ladies. Check it out:
When I think of the city of Rio, I don’t necessarily think of Lionel Richie, but “Say You, Say Me” certainly sets the mood. If Rio does well, I fully expect — nay, demand — that “Hello” be played in the sequel.
What did you think of Rio? Does your love of Leslie Mann, who plays Blu’s owner, extend as far as mine, making this a must-see for her soft voice alone?
If by “casting the perfect voice” you mean filling every role with celebrities, then yes. Remember when animation employed talented voice-artists who weren’t on the cover of People and EW?
Agreed!
The execs only do what fills the seats. If the average viewer preferred old school talented voice actors over celebrities that’s what you’d get. I blame society.
“Better than anyone”? Ever hear of Pixar?
Jesse and Anne seems like a perfect combination as cartoons! Will definitely watch this one
Wouldn’t a real-life Jesse Eisenberg/Anne Hathaway pairing be interesting?
Anne Hathaway and Jesse Eisenberg played siblings in Get Real. Now they’re lovebirds…that’s incest!
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