A family of ducks decides to leave the safety of a New England pond for an adventurous trip to Jamaica. However, their well-laid plans quickly go awry when they get lost and wind up in New York City. The experience soon inspires them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends, and accomplish more than they ever thought possible.
Director: Benjamin Renner
Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, David Mitchell, Carol Kane, Caspar Jennings, Tresi Gazal, Danny DeVito
Release Date: December 22, 2023
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Rated PG for action/peril and mild rude humor.
Runtime: 1h 31m
Migration, Illumination's newest animated offering, might not be the studio most memorable film but it does deliver a light, family friendly adventure which is easy for children and adults to enjoy. Benjamin Renner's film is energetically fun, throwing splashy visuals and gags at the screen in quick succession which keeps the film from hitting too many dead spots. A series of well constructed sequences offer up a fun bit of variety from dingy swamps populated by decrepit herons to a colorfully manic fly through Manhattan keeps the story moving along at a steady almost frenetic pace. The colorful character designs provide the film with a visual pop that makes the entire film easy on the eyes. Paired with excellent performances from the film's voice cast makes the film a fizzy sort of family adventure which is sure to appeal to multiple age groups. Kumail Nanjiani and Elizabeth Banks make for a fun pair as the central parents with both being given enough time to shine. They share fun exchanges throughout while also establishing a believably loving relationship as they face their fears together. Caspar Jennings and Tresi Gazal also turn in fun roles as the pairs children with Gazal stealing scenes with perfectly timed line readings. Danny DeVito rounds out the central family, an older gruff but loving uncle. Awkwafina and Keegan-Michael Key provide the voices for supporting characters with each bringing their own brand of humor to their roles. The film and overall story suffers slightly from its central villain, a trendy chef who becomes obsessed with the mallard family. His character doesn't register much outside of his outsized, tattooed body but in terms of actual characterization there's little to none there. As is, Migration sits a level under Despicable Me or Sing films leaving it a fun but disposable bit of family entertainment.
B+
