Migration (2023)

Directors: Benjamin Renner, Guylo Homsy

A family of ducks try to convince their overprotective father to go on the vacation of a lifetime.

I don’t know if Walt Disney Animation is losing their touch, but their films are starting to bore me – especially that annoying singing which is supposed to tell the character back stories, as if they have no other way of telling it.

In contrast to Disney, Illumination animation seems to be getting better. ‘Migration’ is another perfect example. It has a simple story with good characters and excellent animation. I cared about each and every character, and never found any of them annoying.

‘Migration’ is the story of a family of ducks living in a pond. Mac, the head of the family, has no interest in migrating for the winter, or seeing new places for that matter. However, when they meet a flock of migrating ducks, Mac’s family wants to migrate too. When Uncle Dan finally convinces Mac it might do them good to experience new adventures, Mac agrees. Only, Uncle Dan wants to join. Reluctant at first, Mac agrees, and so the family head out on their first adventure to Jamaica.

They meet interesting characters along the way – from seemingly evil herons to a Jamaican parrot! I loved every single character, every adventure, every obstacle, and every moment. The film has a good story and allows for good character development. (Interestingly, the duck farm scenes were so similar to the chicken farm scenes from ‘Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget’, I’d be interested to know who came up with the idea first, since both movies were released in 2023.)

Please, Disney, it’s time to take note what Illumination is doing. I absolutely loved ‘Migration. This is a beautiful film and there’s so much room for a sequel!

‘Migration’ earned $206.1 million on a budget of $72 million.

Would I watch it again? Yes.