Rio - John Powell

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The reason I made the topic is this https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl3EOgDGz0DNjr7_l6Nnqi7PPkhPfULmZ

 

This new playlist has score only scenes from Rio that makes it much more easy to catch what the themes used mean, and as the movie never had a topic here, and being honest i love this score, thought that it would be a good way to make a breakdown of the themes, maybe discover new things and discuss about it.

 

And in resume, i pressed enter without wanting that in the first place and without making the text, so that´s why i closed the topic before to edit it after, sorry.

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Well, I will try to make the breakdown.

 

First off all, we have motifs with melodies of original songs, that Powell uses in the score. He is credited as composer in:

 

Real in Rio, that seems to represent liberty and the desire of having said liberty, or simply the idea of flying, plus kinda is used as a love theme for Blu and Jewel in some situations.. (Rio Airport, 0:45 to 0:53)

 

 

And Pretty Bird, Nigel´s Theme (Bagged and missing, 0:26 to 0:37)

 

 

 

 

Then, we have two songs that Powell didn´t composed, but that he quotes in the score two or three times each:

 

Fly Love, that is used kinda as another love theme: Heimlich(0:23 to 0:48)

 

And Funky Monkey (Signal, whole track):

 

 

Now, about Powell´s themes that are only in the score:

 

Blu and Linda theme, used to represent both, and their bond. (all of Morning Routine, exclunding the first 20 seconds):

 

Tulio´s theme, in the beginning of Great Big Momma Bird to 0:13 minute mark(not the official version, the one in the complete recording sessions): 

 

 

We also have a slapstick action theme clearly inspired by Tico Tico no fubá by Carmen Miranda, Powell uses it in chases, chaotic comedy scenes and one a bit serious action scene. (umbrellas of Rio, 2:00 onwards)

 

Toucans theme(Juicy little mango, 1:54-2:02)

 

And there´s another love theme for some reason, it plays with Jade and Blu early in the movie and for Rafael and his wife. (1:36 of Juicy little mango)

 

And then there´s two Gang themes, i think, or it´s a ABC phases situation.

 

This one for all the gang(bagged and missing, start to 0:15, and 0:48 to 0:55)

 

And this that seems like the main one for the humans of the gang.(idiots, start to 0:47)

 

 

and that´s what i got.

 

 

 

 

[Knight of Ren 1,125]

Wow, that's a great breakdown! I also really like this score and I had already identified several of the themes , but I had only watched the movie once, so I didn't knew what they represent, apart from a couple of them. It's true that this videos do help to better identify the themes and their meaning, so thanks for sharing them!

 

Will you also post the themes from Rio 2? I think most of the main ideas from this one return, but I don't know if there are any new themes in that one.

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16 hours ago, Knight of Ren said:

Wow, that's a great breakdown! I also really like this score and I had already identified several of the themes , but I had only watched the movie once, so I didn't knew what they represent, apart from a couple of them. It's true that this videos do help to better identify the themes and their meaning, so thanks for sharing them!

 

Will you also post the themes from Rio 2? I think most of the main ideas from this one return, but I don't know if there are any new themes in that one.

First, thank you very much.

 

I will try to post it in the middle of next week(sorry, have some personal things to do before that and there is some information i have to read in the wiki of Rio that non ironically can help me know the score better), but I can confirm that there are some new themes, only not how many. 

 

 

[Princeling1987 26]

Amazing thread for fans of Powell, such addictive themes. Too bad HTTYD, Solo, CoTW overshadow all his other lovely scores for animated.

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4 hours ago, Princeling1987 said:

Amazing thread for fans of Powell, such addictive themes. Too bad HTTYD, Solo, CoTW overshadow all his other lovely scores for animated.

not really, most people don´t even know about CoTW, the one you should use is KFP

[Datameister 2,362]

Jesus. Misread the thread title as "Rip - John Powell" for a sec, even though I've seen this thread before. Gave me a lil heart attack. 

 

As you were...

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30 minutes ago, Datameister said:

Jesus. Misread the thread title as "Rip John Powell" for a sec, even though I've seen this thread before. Gave me a lil heart attack. 

 

As you were...

Well, as a sorry, now that you gave me a opportunity to give a random calm track, I will, be alright. https://youtu.be/gfOCyyjnJYQ?si=97i51BDPBjlxy-cO

 

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Okay, will start the breakdown of themes in Rio 2.

 

About the ones that are only from Powell and aren´t in the songs part:

 

We have Jewel´s theme that non ironically reminds me of across the stars. (Escorted to the Clan, 4:38 onwards) 

 

 

And not only Powell makes a lot of new variations of Nigel´s theme, he also created a new motif for him (Sideshow freaks, 2:44 to 2:50)

 

 

Plus there´s a mystery theme, used mostly for situations with the loggers. (River Boat to the Loggers, 1:24 to 1:47)

 

And there´s the Loggers riff (Battle for the Heart of the Forest, 0:11 to 0:31)

 

 

About the themes that are also in songs that were composed by Powell with others:

 

Gabi´s theme, that is also in Poisonous Love(Romeo and Juliet's Unfortunate Demise, 1:51 to 2:51)

 

And this, Batucada Familia, that seems to be a theme for Blu´s and Jewel´s children, plus the whole family.

 

Other than that there are only some pieces with self contained thematic ideas.

 

[Knight of Ren 1,125]

Awesome work! I think the score for the sequel is not as strong as the first one, but there's still some really great material, particularly the new Jewel theme which is classic Powell in my opinion. I love its variations through Escorted to Clan and Battle for the Heart of the Forest. And that Batucada theme is so damn catchy!

 

If they ever do the third movie they announced, I really hope either Powell or someone from his team can return to the saga to keep expanding the themes! Batu Sener did amazing with the Ice Age spin-off so he could be a great choice!

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13 hours ago, Knight of Ren said:

Awesome work! I think the score for the sequel is not as strong as the first one, but there's still some really great material, particularly the new Jewel theme which is classic Powell in my opinion. I love its variations through Escorted to Clan and Battle for the Heart of the Forest. And that Batucada theme is so damn catchy!

 

If they ever do the third movie they announced, I really hope either Powell or someone from his team can return to the saga to keep expanding the themes! Batu Sener did amazing with the Ice Age spin-off so he could be a great choice!

Thanks, and I agree totally, it’s very nice but the first score is much better.

 

Jewel’s theme is simply that good, non ironically maybe one of his most beautiful themes to date.

 

One interesting thing about Brazilian music is that even the worse songs are super catchy, seriously.

 

At the same time that I would love Powell returning…

 

For now I really want more Batu Sener. Like, Powell already gave his all in these scores, would be better if he got more original projects while Sener got more works in well known franchises, he could get more interesting things in this way, and he has potential.