ReviewMigration movie review: ‘Little Miss Sunshine but with ducks’ is less funny and adventurous than Minions and Despicable Me films

Migration follows the misadventures of a family of ducks who migrate south for the winter against their father’s wishes

The film, from the makers of the Despicable Me franchise films and The Super Mario Bros Movie, is noticeably less funny than its predecessors

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Migration comes from the makers of the “Minions” and “Despicable Me” franchise and “The Super Mario Bros Movie”, but this tale about a family of ducks who fly south for the winter, can’t match them for laughs.

Published: 6:15pm, 31 Jan 2024

2/5 stars

Animated film studio Illumination has turned into a veritable hit factory thanks to the enduring appeal of the Despicable Me franchise and the runaway success of The Super Mario Bros Movie, which finished second only to Barbie at the global box office last year.

In its latest offering, Migration, a family of mallard ducks leave the seclusion of their pond and venture south for the winter, against the wishes of their overprotective patriarch.

What follows is a typically zany road movie as the family of ducks navigate the perils of New York, before being targeted by a vicious knife-wielding chef, en route to the sunny climes of Jamaica. Ironically, their exploits are markedly less adventurous than the blockbuster exploits of the Minions, and noticeably less funny too.

Kumail Nanjiani lends his voice to Mack, head of the family of docile ducks, who wishes for nothing more than for his brood to remain in the safety of their quiet New England pond forever.

When they encounter a flock of more adventurous birds on their way south, Mack’s mate, Pam (Elizabeth Banks), and their two ducklings, Dax (Caspar Jennings) and Gwen (Tresi Gazal), yearn to spread their wings and join them.