Everyone, before we get to my 650th review, we are going to be reviewing the final animated film that was released this past year, in 2023. Not to mention that it was the second of two animated films that was released by Universal Pictures, and Illumination Studios (the other one, of course, being The Super Mario Bros. Movie that was produced, and released by those two companies, and Nintendo, in April 2023). Now, before we start the plot, and review, I just want to say that there was a part of me that was both nervous, and excited to see this film. Nervous because I’ve been hearing both good, and bad things about this film. Then again, I was also excited to see Universal Pictures, and Illumination Studios take on an animated film that looked like it was going to be different than the other animated films that have been released over the last decade, and a half, beginning with 2010’s Despicable Me, and up to this present point. So, was Migration one of the studio’s better films, or their worst? Well, let’s dive in by reviewing 2023’s Migration.
Plot: Mack Mallard (Kumail Nanijani), is an overprotective father of his mate, Pam (Elizabeth Banks), and their children, Dax (Caspar Jennings), and Gwen (Tresi Gazal), and refuses to have them all leave their New England pond. But one day, circumstances occur that convince Mack to change his mind about that, and take his mate, kids, and Mack’s Uncle Dan (Danny DeVito) on a migration to Jamaica. Along the way, they land in New York, and meet new friends such as a pigeon named Chump (Awkwafina), and a scarlet macaw named Delroy (Keegan-Michael Key). With the help of them, and additional new friends, will they make it to Jamaica, and be glad to have the experience?
Well, though this film did have the issue of some of the characters, and some relationships feeling a little underdeveloped, Migration is most definitely a fun film. Sure, the film did have a bit of a problem with the pacing at points. Also, going along with the pacing, I have heard complaints about how this film probably shouldn’t have had a villain in the first place. So would they be right? I don’t know! I mean on the one hand, a good movie does need to have obstacles to help make a movie more enjoyable. On the other hand, the villain, who, not that surprisingly, is a chef, may have felt a little bit one note. But hey, at least he was still hilarious at points. Anyway, that leads to the other potential issue. That being that Migration might have felt a little too short. Thankfully not that short. It’s just that, even if the family dynamic with both, Mack, and Pam, and their kids, Dax, and Gwen, was well-handled, other aspects of the relationship element, such as Dax, and this female duck that he meets named Kim, could have probably evolved a little more over the course of the film than it did in the end. Also, there were some other aspects near the end that I won’t spoil, but, let’s just say remained a mystery, even though they shouldn’t have. Again, not going to say, but you’ll probably be able to guess which aspects after you see this film. Because of this, Migration probably should have had a little bit longer running time of around 10-15 minutes, if not more.
With all that said, you may be wondering, of the two animated films that were released this past year, in 2023 alone, which was better, was it The Super Mario Bros. Movie, or was it Migration? Well, I’ll tell you the truth guys, other than the former having a little more action in it, it ended up still being the latter. Now, before you all get upset at me for saying that, please hear me out! Yes, Bowser in The Super Mario Bros. Movie was more memorable than the chef in Migration. And yes, Super Mario Bros. Movie did have a little more memorable of a soundtrack. Not to mention that The Super Mario Bros. Movie will have nostalgia especially for the many of us that either once were, or still are video game nerds. Even so, where Migration excels that Mario did not was having a better developed family dynamic, having more fleshed out characters more often than not, having a better world building, and a little more depth to it’s story overall. Again, yes, some character development was lacking, like with some of the relationships, and things like that. Even so, movies like this will most definitely help people to appreciate their families more, especially if you’re not coming from an abusive one, and maybe help people see parents, and families, overall, in a more positive light. Also, let’s not forget to mention the amazing chemistry between Mack, and Pam. How cool that parents of kids get to have a spotlight, and show that you can still feel the love even after being married for some time, eh? Honestly, not only does Migration serve as a great allegory, and fable about family, but it also provides valuable lessons about being willing to step out of your comfort zone, taking leaps of faith, facing dangerous situations whenever necessary, and other lessons that serve as valuable lessons for kids, teens, and adults alike. Then, there is the score by John Powell. Wow, if you liked his score for other films, especially animated ones like Kung Fu Panda, How To Train Your Dragon, and Rio, for example, you will most definitely be blown away by his musical score for Migration as well, most notably when you have scenes that involve the Mallard Duck family flying in the sky, or even scenes that occur during the evening in this film. The score has beautiful instrumental pieces, has a surprisingly great choir, and other things that make you love Powell’s just as much, if not more than, other films that he’s scored in. Additionally, there is the animation in this film. Okay, Universal, and Illumination has had some good animation for the backgrounds in the past, and decent animation for character designs in their previous films. But this time around, the animators definitely improved their game. In fact, unlike with Universal, and Illumination’s previous animated works, it is mostly hard to tell that Migration was made by that same company. Granted, there are very few characters that have skinny legs that are about as thin as a toothpicks. But with the majority of characters, especially the human ones that this movie doesn’t put as much focus on, many of them end up looking like normal human beings, either looking buff, or lean, but not lean to the point of looking unrealistic. But as for the ducks, and other animals, they look like they could have either been in a DreamWorks film, a Fox & Blue Sky movie (if that company still existed), or possibly even one from Walt Disney Animation Studios. Yeah, that’s how much Universal & Illumination improved in their animation for Migration. So, if you surprisingly don’t like Migration for any other reason, the standout animation from other animated films of this studio will most definitely make this movie worth your time. Oh, and it should also be worth noting that the backgrounds, and visuals are amazing, especially when birds are flying in the clouds, or even when the audience sees farmland, and more. In addition to these elements, did I forget to mention the comedy in this film? Well, I apologize for that, because that is another highlight for this movie. Wow, truly, it is parents, Mack, Pam, the daughter Gwen, and Mack’s uncle Dan that help bring out the comic relief for this movie, especially the latter two. Honestly, as far as Uncle Dan goes, he’s voiced by Danny DeVito. Now, for those of us who are familiar with that actor, should know that he has really great lines in many films that he’s in, be it voice casting as characters in animated films like Hercules, or partially animated films like Space Jam, or even full-on live-action films like The Haunted Mansion, he plays hilarious characters in basically any movie that he’s in. Here is no exception. And, again, Mack, Pam, and Gwen also being out some of the most hilarious moments in this film too, even if it’s Danny DeVito’s character, Uncle Dan, that is the star of comedy for Migration. Finally, if you’re interested in an animated film that have the feel of family films like Homeward Bound, The Adventures Of Milo & Otis, or even unique animated films like Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron, but with more comedy, and a Rio vibe mixed in, then all the more reason to see Migration. Personally, I’m glad that this was the final film, instead of Disney’s Wish, to make 2023 go out with a bang. Sure, there is a part of me that this film had taken the summer 2023 slot, instead of a fourth Despicable Me film. Oh well, it is what it is.
And that’s my review for Universal, and Illumination’s Migration. Honestly, it goes without saying that even if Migration could have maybe gone through an additional draft, if not more, this movie is still really good for what it is. Both the background animation, and character animation are amazing, and looks like any other company besides Universal & Illumination could have made it, the score is on par with other films that John Powell scored in the past, most of the characters are likable, and memorable, despite the fact that some of character could have been a little bit better, and the comedy works tremendously. If you want to see an animated film that is a breath of fresh air from your typical animated movie, then all the more reason to check it out. You’d be truly surprised by how fun of an experience you’d get from seeing this particular film. If you like comedy, stars like Danny DeVito, Elizabeth Banks, Kumail Nanijani, and some rather close top notch from this studio, then all the more reasons to see this film. You’ll most definitely love this movie. If you’re interested in an experience that leans around the unique side of animated from, then all the more reason to see Migration, and, hopefully sooner rather than later. So please, go see Migration, and see what you think!
Final Grade: A-
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 