Illumination’s ‘Migration’ is a Mildly Fun Flight

In theaters on December 22nd, ‘Finding Nemo’.

A likeable voice cast does their best with the material, but ultimately this feels like a lesser offering from the company, one that seems unlikely to spawn a franchise in the way that ‘Despicable Me’s Minions have taken over. But perhaps that’s no bad thing?

Is ‘Migration’ Decent Escapist Entertainment?

As the year draws to a close, we suppose close to Christmas is as good a time as any to release a movie where a family decides to escape winter and travel somewhere tropical to enjoy a different locale; after all, plenty of people will be making that choice in the coming days and weeks.

The twist here, of course, is that the family in question are mallard ducks who have lived in the same pond for years, which is just the way the dad of the brood likes it –– he’s fond of terrifying his ducklings with tales of danger lurking beyond their seemingly tranquil home. It’s a worthwhile setup for a family comedy, but it does rather feel like both DreamWorks and Pixar have both gotten their first with the concept of the scared father convinced that death awaits anyone foolhardy enough to step outside of their established boundaries. And of course, the lesson once again is that you need to find the bravery within to put that idea to the test, because perhaps it’ll lead to some fun and family bonding.

There’s not much that’s fresh here, but ‘Migration’ is inoffensive enough –– and may likely appeal to those parents who are sick of the chattering Minions (though they show up in a short film that plays before the movie in theaters).

‘Migration’: Script and Direction

Perhaps the most surprising element of the movie is the fact that School of Rock’. No, we’re surprised because this feels far more sanitized than that movie, as though the screenplay when through a buffing process once it left his hands to remove any interesting rougher edges.

One or two flashes of White’s style still remain, and they give the movie a little bit of extra flair. But for the most part, this is strictly factory standard stuff.

Director Benjamin Renner came up with the original story for the movie, and here he brings it to life alongside co-director Guylo Homsy. They get solid work from the cast and the Illumination animation team has given the movie a decently interesting visual palette, with a watercolor-infused background, some impressively designed buildings when the birds arrive in New York and well-crafted main characters.

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‘Migration’: Performances

A movie such as this lives and dies on the strength of its lead performances, and fortunately ‘Migration’ has some very funny people driving the dynamics. Elizabeth Banks is typically spirited as mate Pam.

The kids are mostly called upon to be funny and weird, and both put in good, while Danny DeVito has less do as their uncle, but still makes the most of the role.

In ing roles, Keegan-Michael Key, meanwhile, is great as Delroy, the parrot that our heroes meet and ultimately help.

And then there’s Carol Kane, whose typically loopy energy is well served as Erin the heron, who the family isn’t sure whether she wants to help or eat them.

‘Migration’: Final Thoughts

If you can overlook the very familiar storyline (and life lessons that are less than subtly conveyed), then ‘Migration’ will certainly serve as a decent option for those after some family film time if the pressure of the holidays becomes too much.

Energetic lead voices, some diverting concepts and well-crafted animation are all in service of something that might have found a little more inspiration, but it’s at least got something to offer.

‘Migration’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.

What is the plot of ‘Migration’?

The Mallard family is in a bit of rut. While dad Mack (Kumail Nanjiani) is content to keep his family safe paddling around their New England Pond forever, mom Pam (Elizabeth Banks) is eager to shake things up and show their kids—teen son Dax (Tresi Gazal)—the whole wide world. After a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, Pam persuades Mack to embark on a family trip, via New York City, to tropical Jamaica.

As the Mallards make their way south for the winter, their well-laid plans quickly go awry. The experience will inspire them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends and accomplish more than they ever thought possible, while teaching them more about each other—and themselves—than they ever imagined.

Who is in the cast of ‘Migration’?

• Kumail Nanjiani ('The Big Sick') as Mack Mallard
• Elizabeth Banks ('Pitch Perfect') as Pam Mallard
• Awkwafina ('Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings') as Chump
• Keegan-Michael Key ('Wonka') as Delroy
• Greed') as Googoo
• Carol Kane ('The Princess Bride') as Erin
• Danny DeVito ('Twins') as Dan
• Caspar Jennings ('Sing 2') as Dax Mallard
• Tresi Gazal as Gwen Mallard

Other Movies Similar to ‘Migration':

• 'Despicable Me' (2010)
• 'Hop' (2011)
• 'The Lorax' (2012)
• 'Despicable Me 2' (2013)
• 'Minions' (2015)
• 'The Secret Life of Pets' (2016)
• 'Sing' (2016)
• 'Despicable Me 3' (2017)
• 'The Grinch' (2018)
• 'The Secret Life of Pets 2' (2019)
• 'Sing 2' (2021)
• 'Minions: The Rise of Gru' (2022)
• 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' (2023)

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