Migration
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (out of 5)
Over the past decade, Illumination has proven to be a force in animation with the successful franchises of Despicable Me, Sing, and the recent runaway hit, The Super Mario Bros. Movie. This success has allowed the studio to introduce new projects for families to enjoy in cinemas. Unlike The Secret Life of Pets, which ventured into the world of domestic pets, Migration heads out into the natural world of the Mallard family.
Mack (Kumail Nanjiani) has tried to protect his family in their New England pond. Until a flock of wood ducks stops over for a rest as they migrate to Jamaica for the winter. The exotic stories these visitors share entice the mallard’s wife, Pam (Elizabeth Banks), and their two children to wonder what life would be like outside their quaint wetland home. Their teen son Dax (Caspar Jennings) and duckling daughter Gwen (Tresi Gazal) work with their mother to persuade their risk-averse father that a change of scenery would be worth discovering. After some persuasion, the family decides to head south and look forward to the beaches and waters of the Caribbean island. Yet, their trip is interrupted by a few misguided diversions that place them in New York City. They must do all they can to remain together and avoid getting eaten.
If parents are looking for an endearing, safe, and family-friendly option during this season, Migration will fill the bill. There is a familiarity to this story that harkens back to The Croods with a nod towards Ratatouille and Chicken Run. Still, there are enough characters and action sequences to keep the young viewer engaged without becoming overly scary. The strength of the screenplay is found in the strength of the familial ties of the ducks. Despite having Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, and Danny Divito in the voice cast, there aren’t as many belly-laugh moments that have come to define the Minions adventures. Yet, this does not diminish the value of this mad-capped journey. There are enough harrowing situations and heart-warming moments to keep the parents and children hooked until the end.
What should parents know about Migration? The Mallards family dynamic is stock-standard for this type of film. Still, enough original ideas make this an entertaining choice for families. No major social agendas are being pushed through this storyline, and shocking moments are not enough to scare off the young ones. The family experiences tensions, but this is not enough to divide them. Instead, it strengthens their bonds.
Mike White's (The One and Only Ivan) screenplay opens the door for discussions about confronting your fears, the importance of family, and how we are not in this world alone. Parents will have many opportunities to talk with their children about the various storylines from The Mallard Family’s family flight.
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. - 2 Timothy 1:7
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