Migration (2023) Revisit: Why Migrating Is The Bravest Idea

 

Copyright © Illumination Entertainment, Universal Pictures


Title: Migration (2023)
Director: Benjamin Renner

Release Date: December 22 2023


    A fun fact involved a similar movie; in 2018, Duck Duck Goose, formerly owned by Open Road Films, was supposed to be released in theaters until Netflix bought the rights for it to be released straight as a Netflix original. Now, here is the question: what do you get if the movie was made by a big company and was actually released into theaters? You get Migration which is Illumination’s most recent movie up to date! While not as successful as Illumination’s other properties, the film mostly got positive critical reception from both critics and audiences alike. The film also got a solid $297 million worldwide. With an original duck story and very heartwarming plot points, Migration is an amazing vacation for the whole family and people in general!

Summary

   A family of mallard ducks has a thirst for adventure from the pond to Jamaica. However, the overprotective dad, Mack Mallard (Kumail Nanjiani), does not want to go for safety purposes. He is convinced by the other members of his family to go on this wonderful vacation. Troubles wind up in New York City as they get away from various hunters and meet new friends along the way.


Reasons

    In Migration, the biggest strengths are its heartwarming story and characters that can make one smile! Who wouldn’t want a story about ducks convincing their parents to go on a vacation? The concept is both original and relatable because children try anything to beg their parents for something they want. Many of the character arcs are also progressed through well-done development thanks to its simple messages of family, bonding, and bravery. Even though these are messages that are familiar, they help get the characters used to the journey to Jamaica. Thanks to blending in the real life traits of birds and today’s children-filled families, the characters are relatable and worth loving. The writers do not just make them relatable and human in personality. To justify the bird concept, they get the real life traits from the species in order for the concept to make much more sense. All the chemistries between them were very sweet as they understand each other and do what it takes to get the family altogether to where they want to go. Additionally, the voice acting for the characters is witty and talented. With both A-list and B-list actors, their talents link with each other as they all work on interacting with each other on the adventure to vacation.
    Besides the story and characters, the animation, humor, and settings are some secondary strengths to make Migration amazing. To get the ostrich out of the room, Illumination is not afraid to try a new art style thanks to The Super Mario Bros. Movie released last year. All of the birds, notably the ducks, are animated in a cartoony art style which is a nice shift from the company's other franchises. There are also some 2D character animations and drawings which are well done in a bright color palette and lineless art style. Instead of cheap gags and toilet jokes, it keeps things fresh by using slapstick that kids will enjoy. Alongside the slapstick, the humor is also inspired by movies with a similar plot. According to Renner, the movie is inspired by Little Miss Sunshine, another road trip comedy movie, except with ducks. (Huff, 4). This movie is more than just cities and ponds. It uses real locations to make the movie more vivid and realistic. All of the setting designs, including Moosehead Pond, look really pretty and accurate to the locations they used from real life.
    Although it is somewhat close to perfect, there are still some minor flaws to consider about Migration. Since this is coming from Illumination, the story is still formulaic and predictable. However, it is not really that big of an issue because the company is improving from their mistakes nowadays. In addition, the human characters are fairly the stereotypical villains seen in other animal movies. Despite the stereotyping, they effectively create the obstacles that the mallard family should overcome throughout their flight.


Conclusion

    Using plot points and writing characters that would melt one's heart, Migration is an amazing vacation that is worth enjoying and revisiting for the whole family! The concept of a mallard duck family going on a vacation is an entirely new and relatable story that a children's movie can explore! As a result, the movie has simple but fun messages and relatable characters for the audience to resonate with. The animation is a major step back from Illumination's other franchises, such as Despicable Me and The Secret Life of Pets, which makes further creativity. Both the humor and settings combined are not lazily done because of how the writers tried their hardest at making it fresh. Just in case you are looking for a wholesome movie to enjoy with the family or by yourself, give this one some quack!


    Score: 9.5/10 (can you give this movie a try? pleeeeaaaaaassssee??)





Works Cited

Huff, Lauren. "How Migration embraced Big Duck Energy and Little Miss Sunshine." Entertainment Weekly, 16 Nov. 2023, https://ew.com/migration-benjamin-renner-mike-white-little-miss-sunshine-big-duck-energy-8400438. Accessed 16 May. 2024

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