Preview: Rio

openerrio

• RioPhotograph: Blue Sky Studios65.fi.rio01.jpg1258551
• RioPhotograph: Blue Sky Studios65.fi.rio02.jpg1258592
• RioPhotograph: Blue Sky Studios65.fi.rio03.jpg1258573
• George Lopez Photograph: Kevin Estrada65.fi.riogeorgelopez.jpg1258534

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Rio

Photograph: Blue Sky Studios

When Ice Age director Carlos Saldanha started casting his new film Rio, he knew right away who he wanted to play Rafael, a South American toucan: comedian-turned-talk-show-host George Lopez. “He put my voice to the bird so he could hear what it sounded like,” says Lopez. “He made the mannerisms of the bird the same [as mine], too. It was wild.”

Rio, a labor of love from the Brazilian-born director, follows a rare blue macaw named Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) from his displaced home in Minnesota to his birthplace in Rio de Janiero, where he is meant to breed with Jewel (Anne Hathaway) but instead gets poached by birdnappers. Though Rafael, a wise toucan who was once the king of Carnaval, is now married with a nestful of children, his misadventures with Blu and Jewel give him the opportunity to relive his glory days.

Saldanha uses his country’s kaleidoscopic avian population to introduce kids to the sights, sounds and rhythms of his hometown. The scene where Rafael tries to teach Blu how to fly is a gorgeous showcase for the mountains and beaches of the crescent-shaped coastal city. The soundtrack (produced by cast member will.i.am and featuring such legends as bossa nova pioneer Sergio Mendes) is an infectious mash-up of international beats that helps set the film apart from other animated adventures.

Lopez’s daughter, Mayan, 14, is particularly excited about her dad’s new film—high praise from an age group that is not easily impressed. “She says, ‘All my friends can’t wait to see Rio,’ ” he says. Lopez hopes they’ll have similar feelings about his next project: The Smurfs, a live action–animation hybrid due in August. He plays the iconic crank, Grumpy Smurf. “It’s a nice part,” says Lopez with a mischievous chuckle.

Rio (G) opens in theaters on Apr 15.