Illumination Entertainment has certainly built an impressive collection of animated films, starting from Despicable Me in 2010 and most recently The Super Mario Bros Movie in 2023. Each film in their repertoire brings a refreshing change of pace from their usual narrative. While still maintaining their signature comedic style and humor, Migration delves deeper into the dynamics of family unity and the challenges that come along with it, rather than relying solely on slapstick comedy.
Join Mack and his mallard duck family on an exciting adventure beyond the boundaries of their familiar pond. When a group of traveling ducks unexpectedly arrives, Mack's family is filled with inspiration and decides to explore the world outside. Despite his worries, Mack agrees to embark on this journey with his wife Pam, their children Dax and Gwen, and their grumpy uncle Dan. Their destination? Jamaica! However, reaching their tropical paradise won't be easy as they encounter challenges along the way. With the assistance of newfound friends and the need to avoid a vengeful iron chef, the ducks must navigate through obstacles to make their dream a reality.
This Flixtor movie is a fantastic slapstick comedy in its own unique way, but it also shares many similarities in terms of concept, scenarios, and character personalities. For instance, let's consider the 2011 animated film Rio by Blue Sky Studios. In Rio, we have a main bird character who is neurotic and constantly worried about his safety, and his female companion who is athletic and self-assured. Interestingly, Mack and Pam from Migration are quite similar to Blu and Jewel respectively. Moreover, both films involve the characters venturing into a different environment outside their usual home, all while being pursued by someone who intends to harm them during their journey. It's quite remarkable how spot-on these similarities are. Additionally, it's worth noting that both the Rio films and Migration share the involvement of music composer John Powell and former Blue Sky animator-turned-Illumination producer Chris Meledandri, further establishing these connections.
The voice actors delivered outstanding performances in the film. Kumail Nanjiani, who plays Mack, and Elizabeth Banks, who portrays his wife Pam, had great chemistry and showcased their humor brilliantly. Awkwafina, who played the pigeon Chump, and Keegan-Michael Key, who voiced the Jamaican Scarlet macaw Delroy, were also scene-stealers. Key's ability to pull off a Jamaican accent was impressive. Additionally, the child actors, Caspar Jennings as Dax and Tresi Gazal as Gwen, did a fantastic job. Their constant squabbling added to their likability, with Dax attempting to act tough while Gwen fearfully wisecracked in her British accent.
