Migration (2023) Review!!

Synopsis – A family of ducks try to convince their overprotective father to go on the vacation of a lifetime.

My Take – I never thought I would say this, but Illumination features have surprisingly become better than what Disney, Pixar, or DreamWorks have begun to offer.

While I still don’t hold a strong opinion about the studio’s in-house mascots, the Minions, yet I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets and Sing films. And particularly loved the massive success story that The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) was.

Their latest too, written by ‘White Lotus’ creator Mike White, based on an unexplored premise about the struggle of stepping out of one’s comfort zone in order to evolve and grow as a person, is refreshingly original and sweet. Fast-paced and heartwarming with a positive message about family and bravery, beautifully adapted into a ducky narrative centered on a Mallard family.

Yes, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel in terms of storytelling but it’s still goofy, balls-out fun for anyone hitting the theaters as director Benjamin Renner (The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales…, Ernest & Celestine) supplies the film with a sort of wound up energy.

It isn’t pretentious and doesn’t bang on the drum of morality. Rather its pure fun and hi-jinks. It’s more fun to pick out what makes this a Mike White project, and his influence gives it a slight edge over the rest, making 83 minutes of your time a worthwhile journey.

The story follows a family of mallards who live in a Moosehead Pond somewhere in a New England forest. Mack (voiced by Kumail Nanjiani), the father, is an anxious one who believes in keeping your head down and living a quiet life, while his wife, Pam (voiced by Elizabeth Banks), teenage son, Dax (voiced by Caspar Jennings), and duckling daughter, Gwen (voiced by Tresi Gazal), aren’t convinced with his view.

Though they end up usually giving into him, staying happy with their surroundings and cushy boring life. However, when a flock of migrating ducks stop by the pond on their way to Jamaica and ask them to join in, Pam, Dax, and Gwen are immediately interested, particularly with Dax getting smitten by Kim (voiced by Isabela Merced).

But while Mack politely tells the family off, Pam, Dax and Gwen feel an adventure and exploration of the world outside the pond would be fun and necessary. Realizing that their desire is too heavy a burden for Mack to bear and he gives in to their request. Accompanied by their laid-back Uncle Dan (voiced by Danny DeVito), the family takes off together.

From there on it’s one roller-coaster of a ride with lots of fun bits. From facing creepy, unknown birds, to enduring natural disasters, the family must endure all if they truly wish to make it to Jamaica. The film boasts well-crafted musical tracks, hilarious sequences, and stunning visuals, featuring encounters with heron couples, a posse of pigeons led by Chump (Awkwafina), and other mesmerizing scenes.

The gags are smart, never relying on low-brow toilet humor the way other family films do. Whenever the film does anything close to that, there is another layer of wit that allows it to be genuinely funny. This one is a swift, appealing, and a high-flying jaunt that doesn’t need to break the mold on these kinds of family adventure films.

The character design is familiar, but the film’s visual charm is undeniable, with a storybook-like quality that vividly captures the colorful and dreamy world the Mallards live in, seamlessly blending with the humorous misadventures of the characters.

It is also laced through with a swirl of cultural commentary that reveals writer White’s worldview. You can see his ethical influence as well in the main antagonist, a tattooed bad boy chef, known for his duck dish, and whom the Mallard family has to keep escaping again and again.

There’s of course the lessons to be learned through travel and adventure, especially about your partner. Mack realizes that Pam is tougher and savvier than he gave her credit for, and Pam is charmed to see Mack step up and demonstrate his bravery as the leader of their family as they get themselves into many, many perilous situations.

The voice work is excellent. Kumail Nanjiani‘s portrayal of Mack Mallard resonates with the archetype of protective animated fathers, drawing parallels to characters seen in other beloved films. Elizabeth Banks complements him very well as his character’s wife. Caspar Jennings and Tresi Gazal bring the necessary charm.

Awkwafina is immediately recognizable as the warm, raspy, take-no-prisoners chump, even as Danny De Vito brings the right amount of zing. While Carol Kane, David Mitchell and Keegan Michael-Key are excellent. On the whole, ‘Migration’ is an entertaining family adventure riding on a perfect blend of laughter and heart.