Rating: Full

Genre: Animation, Family, Comedy, Adventure

Studios: Universal Pictures/Illumination

Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Casper Jennings, Tresi Gazal, Keegan-Michael Key, Awkwafina and Danny DeVito

Director: Benjamin Renner

Writers: Benjamin Renner and Mike White

Producers: Chris Meledandri

Music by: John Powell

Rated: PG for action/peril and mild rude humor

Release Date: 12/22/23

Runtime: 1h 23m

Tagline: Odd ducks welcome

Favorite Character: Pam

Quote: “He’s like a predator, but instead of eating you, he serves you to a bunch of lazier predators.”- Chump

Fun Facts: At the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, they have a Uncle Dan balloon to promote the film.

Almost all humans don’t have speaking roles in the movie.

Summary: A family of ducks take a trip of their lifetime to Jamacia all while encountering some bumps along the way.

The Review: Nine months before Migration, Illumination released a billion dollar haul the Super Mario Brothers Movie which feels rushed but beautifully animated while Migration on the other hand, has a well paced plot but the animation doesn’t beat Mario. Still Migration is not only the best family adventure of 2023 but is the best Illumination project of 2023 (sorry Mario).

The story follows what may be your animated movie family. There’s a overprotected dad (Kumail Nanjiani), a adventurous mom (Elizabeth Banks), a adolescence son (Casper Jennings), a cute little daughter (Tresi Gazal) and Danny DaVito’s standout family member, Uncle Dan. and of course there are a couple of characters which may not be Illumination’s most memorable but can be easily remembered if you take the same trip like them. The audience on Awkwafina’s tough talking one legged pigeon that goes by the name ‘Chump’ that could probably form a NWA-like rap group with a couple other pigeons.

Migration is a lot like National Lampoons Vacation but instead of things go hilariously wrong, they face actual peril and from the ducks, many of the humans are one of the duck’s predator. So it may be a little dark for the kiddies in the audience. There is, however, big glimmers of light along the journey. One of the stereotypical moments from a family vacation is when a child has to use a bathroom. The scene where Gwen has to go weewee play perfectly for the ducks who has to go while flying.

Now for the antagonist, he is a poorly tempered fine dining chef that makes Gordan Ramsey tantrums sound tolerable. But I will give the Chef credit for his Duck a l’Orange. The idea for the villain is pretty obvious for a movie about a flock of ducks, nevertheless the design for him is truly ruthless so it’s practical enough but the one problem i have for him is that his lack of voice. Instead it’s just grunts and groans. Would it kill to have a voice actor for the chef? I mean Jason Statham could actually kill it.

So in conclusion, Migration is one of the animated films that is pretty pleasure for families to do during the winter but unfortunatally, wouldn’t make the Oscar animated shortlist. One last thing, if it still plays in theaters, you will be able to catch a short minions film ‘Mooned’ and see what happens to Victor after the first Despicable Me film.