"...a significant step forward from the studio's Ice Age films, in the richness of its cast, the exuberance of its music and the vibrance of its palette. "
— Andy Webster, New York Times"Though the colors are primary color fabulous, the real trick is in the character design and movement, unerringly naturalistic in that splashy cartoon way and helped along by something called a stereoscopic team, which sounds vaguely uncomfortable but definitely works here."
— Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times"Exotic eye candy and infectious beats make for a fun animated frolic."
— Megan Lehmann, Hollywood Reporter"Young kids will probably love Rio, a colorful, tuneful, action-packed animated feature with a Brazilian setting. But I have a feeling that older audience members will, like me, be getting restless during this celebrity-voice-driven, generically plotted variation on Madagascar."
— Lou Lumenick, New York Post"Rio could use fresher ingredients and more spice."
— Tasha Robinson, Onion AV Club"As a crass manufactured means of making a large amount of money, Rio succeeds. But in the ever flat-lining world of 3D CG cartooning, it's the same old bird spit."
— Bill Gibron, filmcritic.com