In Migration, Mack Mallard is a duck who lives in a New England forest with his wife Pam, and their two children, Dax and Gwen. Mack is a good father, and tries to do his best by everyone, but he worries about life outside of his pond.
One day, Mack and the rest of the Mallard family meet a flock of ducks who are passing through the area. The ducks are on their way to Jamaica for the winter, and they invite the Mallards to join them.
Mack instantly turns down the offer, thinking this is the best thing to do, but Pam disagrees. She believes the kids would benefit from seeing the big wide world, and would much rather fly away with the rest of the ducks.
After a touch of soul searching, Mack changes his stance and along with their Uncle Dan, the Mallard’s set off on a new adventure. However, instead of flying south, they end up going north and find themselves in New York, rather than Jamaica.
Directed by Benjamin Renner, Migration is an animated family film featuring the vocal talents of Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Keegan-Michael Key, Awkwafina, Danny DeVito, Carol Kane, and David Mitchell. The film was released in the US back in late December ’23, but it lands in UK cinemas from Friday 2nd February, where it makes its debut ahead of the half-term holidays.
Bright, breezy, and fairly short (the film clocks in at a lean 83 minutes), Migration is a decent enough animated feature, which should prove fine for young audiences. The movie offers up a few laughs and a bit of action and adventure, as well as some good voice acting from the central cast, and it zips along at a fairly brisk pace.
In short: Those looking for some easy-to-watch big screen entertainment shouldn’t have any major problems with this film. There’s enough in here to keep the kids entertained between mouthfuls of popcorn, and if that’s all you’re after then Migration is acceptable stuff.
Does Migration work so well for adults as it does for kids? No, but as a one-time-watch it’s OK.
If you’re hoping to be wowed or amazed, then you won’t get that here. Migration is watchable and it has plenty of heart, but it is a fairly-one note movie, with no hidden depth or imagination.
It’s certainly not up there with the likes of Toy Story, Shrek, or Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Those animated films pushed the envelope, worked on multiple levels, and continue to have plenty of ‘re-watch value’.
Migration on the other hand is a film you’ll watch once, you’ll chuckle along at the mild humour, and then you’ll move on with your life. When the film comes out on streaming or home video, and the kids put it on rotation for 332 times, you’ll pay it no further attention and you’ll go and do something else.
On the plus side, while you are engaged with Migration, the film offers up some beautiful animation, and the core characters are likeable. Mums and dads will certainly find Mack and Pam relatable, especially when it comes to their interactions with their children.
Small moments here-and-there, such as both kids squabbling over fruit, or daughter Gwen refusing to poop while mid-flight, will certainly resonate. The film may not be one to return to, but while it is playing through for the first time, it does hit many of the right notes.
Although Migration isn’t up there with the best animated movies, it is far from rubbish. The film ticks enough of the correct boxes to give it a pass, and younger audiences will find it accommodating and entertaining.
Yes, it is popcorn fodder, but it is perfectly acceptable popcorn fodder. So grab a fizzy drink, switch off your brain, and let the youngsters enjoy.
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