by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Are you ready for another film from Illumination? There are no Minions to be seen, but it does focus on a group of animals doing animal things. This studio has become synonymous with the idea of making mediocre films that are just enjoyable enough for wide audiences, leading to insane box office returns. So first off… good for them! Especially in today’s box office landscape, being so consistent is a treasure. But this time, Illumination takes audiences on a big journey with a crew of ducks in Migration.
Does this story amount to more than a basic idea? The setup is simple. The father duck (Kumail Nanjiani) is afraid of the world, but his wife (Elizabeth Banks) wants more. When their children (Tresi Gazal and Caspar Jennings) are invited on a migration to Jamaica, the patriarch finally caves, and they embark with their Uncle Dan (Danny DeVito). Narratively, this film is loose. It is more of a series of vignettes along the way, from a Heron nest, to the big city, to a sanctuary. The film is a brisk 80 minutes or so, and never sticks around anywhere for too long. But the journey is filled with antics, fun supporting characters, and a strangely injected human antagonist. The worst part of the film is its forced narrative of a chef coming after the ducks, as it leads to ridiculous situations that feel so out there that it takes you out of the story. But to reiterate, Migration never stays anywhere long enough to really drag the whole thing down.
Does the directorial duo of Benjamin Renner and Guylo Homsy bring this little flick to life? Migration boasts a brisk pace that will certainly keep the whole family engaged. There are plenty of laughs to go around as well. It features some strangely dark moments, but overall, the film knows who to go fully silly, and when to play around with its crazy situations. There are even some fun moments of kid-friendly horror, giving it some added dimensions. The film is visually fun and beautiful, especially when you reach the Caribbean destination, where some of the birds are bright and vibrant. There are some honestly hilarious moments sprinkled throughout as well, which is not surprising when Mike White is involved in writing this story.
Who are the real MVPs of the film? The voice cast. Nanjiani is just a king of comedy, and he gets plenty of great moments. Banks doesn’t get as much to do, but she does get a few key moments. Gazal, as the young daughter of this flock, is an absolute delight with her cute approach and naïve nature. DeVito really steals the show as the grumpy uncle who channels all his It’s Always Sunny energy. Keegan-Michael Key and Awkwafina do their roles well, too, and add a few more laughs.
Is Migration a great new animated adventure for the whole family? Not quite, but it does stand tall amongst most of Illumination’s films. It is a silly film with a simple concept. Even if it does get bogged down with some crazy plotting, Migration soars with its rag-tag band of birds and fun destinations. It turns out Illumination can bring fun without any little minions around.
Rating: It Was Just Okay
Migration is currently playing in theaters
You can read more from Shane Conto, and follow him on Instagram, and Letterboxd