Migration: A Comedic Family Journey Unveiled

I approached Migration with little expectation, as the initial teaser heavily relied on clips from Illumination’s other films, such as Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets, and The Super Mario Bros Movie. The promotional use of Pharrell Williams’s “Just a Cloud Away” from Despicable Me 2 further tempered my expectations. When a movie emphasizes IP over its story, as seen in the final The Marvels trailer, my anticipation tends to be low. To my surprise, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the movie.

Unexpectedly, Migration became the highlight of my animated movie experiences this year, surpassing offerings from Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks, including Wish, Elemental, Trolls Band Together, and Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken. The laughter and joy I experienced during Migration exceeded that of any other animated film in 2023. The opening scene, reminiscent of The Croods, set the tone with a father entertaining his children with a humorous story, and I found myself laughing alongside the younger audience in the theater.

The narrative follows a family of mallards, led by the overprotective father Mack (Kumail Nanjiani), on a migration journey to Jamaica. The road trip concept takes a unique turn as the ducks navigate through New York City, resulting in a series of unpredictable and entertaining adventures. Migration turned out to be a delightful and funny family adventure, offering a refreshing experience. While it may not match the commercial success of Illumination’s other 2023 release, The Super Mario Bros Movie, it stands out as a funnier and better-crafted film with its own distinct story.

A notable aspect is that Migration was written by Mike White, known for creating, writing, and directing HBO’s The White Lotus. Despite White’s prior credit on The Emoji Movie, his contribution to Migration showcases his talent for crafting a well-paced and structured story with clever setups and payoffs.

Director and co-writer Benjamin Renner infuses the film with humor through lively character animation and direction. The standout character, Gwen, the young and lovable daughter portrayed by Tresi Gazal, is a highlight in both the film and its merchandising. The humor in Migration is clever and avoids relying on low-brow toilet humor, demonstrating a wit that adds genuine fun to the film.

The cast, featuring talents like Kumail Nanjiani and Elizabeth Banks, delivers excellent performances. Awkwafina and Danny DeVito in supporting roles contribute to the film’s charm, with Awkwafina impressively donning a thick New York accent. DeVito, though arguably unnecessary for the plot, provides another entertaining performance. Keegan Michael-Key, showcasing a Jamaican accent, adds energy to his role.

Renner’s direction brings vibrancy and a strong sense of comedy to Migration. The film effectively uses a balloon for various comedic purposes, showcasing the director’s inventive approach. While not the most emotionally profound or groundbreaking animated film of the year, Migration surprised with its humor and engaging story. It may lack the depth of Spider-Verse, but it stands as a family film I would gladly watch again.

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