The opening and closing sequences, plus the transitions were directed by Brazilian Vicente Amorim, while musician Gilberto Gil composed the theme song.

[2] Rio, I Love You received largely negative reviews from critics.

[4] Ben Kenigsberg of The New York Times heavily criticized the film's lack of cohesion and its adherence to tourist-friendly depictions of Rio de Janeiro.

[5] Miami New Times' Kenji Fujishima calls it a "barrel-scraping collective project."

Eye For Films Andrew Robertson rated it two stars and calls it "baffling in construction and execution"[6] The Hollywood Reporter's unattributed review says "The only people sure to love this concoction are those working for Rio’s tourism bureau, which may well have picked the camera’s vantage points for many lush and lovely overhead shots of the city’s distinctive terrain.