Rio - 2011

Movie Info

Rating: PG

Age-appropriateness: immature humor, negative gender stereotypes

Overview: When Blu, a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota, meets the fiercely independent Jewel, he takes off on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro with the bird of his dreams. Blu learns that while it's good to trust and rely on others, it’s also valuable to gain independence and learn new skills on his own.

Themes: animals, adventure, independence, family, friendship, courage, bravery, trust, getting lost, animal rights, greed, freedom, repentance, bullying

The Quick 3

Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.

1. Independence. How independent would you describe yourself to be? What is something that you typically get help with, but you might want to try to start doing on your own?

Jewel loved living a free, independent life. To be independent is to be able to take care of yourself and to make decisions on your own. Blu, on the other hand, was very dependent on his human owner. Blu was unable to do a lot of things for himself and had to grow to become more independent.

2. Trust. How easy is it for you to trust new people? What keeps you from trusting others?

Blu and Jewel talk about their differences. Blu grew up as a pet and Jewel grew up with her own kind. Jewel says that because of humans, she lost everything. That’s why she doesn’t trust them. Trust is to believe that someone is honest and sincere.

3. Decision making. Do you think decisions should be made with your head or your heart? If you can’t trust your head, and you can’t always trust your heart, how can you make decisions?

Rafael chooses not to go to Carnaval, but instead to go back to his family. He says he loves his family more. Rafael tells Blu to make decisions with his heart, not his head. The Bible goes one step further, saying that you shouldn’t always make choices with your heart either. Jeremiah 17:9 says, "“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?"

After The Movie Discussion Guide

Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.

1. Blu grew up in a home in Minnesota with a very comfortable lifestyle. He didn’t even need to learn how to fly, because Linda took care of him and gave him everything he needed. The way he grew up influenced who he was. Once he was in Rio, he needed to discover how to fly and survive on his own. How has your upbringing influenced who you are? Have your surroundings ever kept you from learning how to do something new?

2. Linda is so upset after Blu goes missing. Blu was lost, and Linda wouldn’t stop until Blu was brought home safely. In Luke 15, we read about God's heart and God's character when one of his children goes missing. Jesus tells a story of a lost sheep. When the shepherd realizes that one sheep is lost, he leaves 99 healthy, safe sheep in order to go after the one. In the same way, God pursues every single person who is far from him. Have you ever been lost? Or have you ever lost something that you love? What does it feel like to lose something you love?

3. Fernando made a mistake by stealing Blu and Jewel. He did it because he needed the money and didn’t have a family to live with. Once he recognized that he did the wrong thing, he felt really sorry and then tried to make things right. He helped Linda and Tulio find Blu and Jewel again. Repentance is admitting when you've made a mistake and working to make things right. It's about turning away from your sin and striving to live in the way that God intends. When was the last time you recognized that you made a mistake and did something bad? What would repentance look like for you in that situation?

4. Jewel loved living a free, independent life. To be independent is to be able to take care of yourself and to make decisions on your own. Blu, on the other hand, was very dependent on his human owner. Blu was unable to do a lot of things for himself and had to grow to become more independent. How independent would you describe yourself to be? What is something that you typically get help with, but you might want to try to start doing on your own?

Minute By Minute Guide

Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.

:10 Linda is asked to allow her pet, her best friend Blu, to travel to Rio de Janeiro in order to help his species survive. Since he’s the last male bird of his kind, he’ll need to have babies in order to ensure there are more birds like him in the future. Do you think Linda should let Blu go to Rio in order for his species to survive? Or would it be better for her to keep Blu so that they could live together comfortably?

:21 Blu and Jewel talk about their differences. Blu grew up as a pet and Jewel grew up with her own kind. Jewel says that because of humans, she lost everything. That’s why she doesn’t trust them. Trust is to believe that someone is honest and sincere. How easy is it for you to trust new people? What keeps you from trusting others?

:27 Marcel and his crew didn’t care about the birds - they just wanted to make a bunch of money. They were greedy. Greed is having a selfish desire for money and toys. Animals should always be treated with respect. They are part of God’s creation. Is there anytime that you care more about money and toys than you care about other people? How can someone stop being greedy?

:31 Nigel’s Song. Nigel explains that he used to be on a TV show, but he was replaced by a parakeet. This led him to think he was ugly and caused him to do mean things to other birds. He was hurt, so now he hurts others. Do you know anyone who is mean to other people? Why do you think that person is mean? Is it possible someone hurt them at some point, causing them to be mean now?

Here's an article about How to Talk to Your Kid About Bullying.

:36 Jewel describes flying as a feeling of freedom and not having to rely on anyone. Blu says that being free and not relying on anyone sounds a little lonely. Who would you agree with? Would you want the freedom of flying anywhere you want? Or would you rather stay around others and travel with them?

:46 Rafael and Jewel encourage Blu to learn how to fly. We all need friends and family members to encourage us to do something new, even if it’s scary. Who are the mentors and role models in your life who teach you new things? What is something you'd like to learn how to do, even though it's scary?

1:01 Blu scoots closer to Jewel because he likes her. 1 John 4:19 says, "We love each other because he loved us first." God isn't just loving, He is love. It's who He is! When we want to know how to love others, we can just look to the way that God loves us. How often do you tell others how you feel about them? How can you express your love for them?

1:11 Rafael chooses not to go to Carnaval, but instead to go back to his family. He says he loves his family more. Rafael tells Blu to make decisions with his heart, not his head. The Bible goes one step further, saying that you shouldn’t always make choices with your heart either. Jeremiah 17:9 says, "“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" Do you think decisions should be made with your head or your heart? If you can’t trust your head, and you can’t always trust your heart, how can you make decisions?

1:24 Blu finally learns how to fly. Once Jewel showed him love, something happened inside his heart. And from now on, his life will never be the same. Galatians 2:20 talks about the change that happens in someone's life when they start following Jesus. It says, "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." How do you think someone's life changes when they start following Jesus? Why is that the best thing that could ever happen to someone?