Migration

Migration tells the adventures of a family of Mallard ducks. This cartoon is a success. With a well-balanced cocktail of travels, adventures, twists and turns, emotion and humor, the film will delight young and old, including grandparents.

The Mallard family lives happy days in their New England pond. But if Mack, the father of the family, sees the outside world as a danger, his wife Pam and his children Dax and Gwen want to discover this world. The stopover of a flock of migratory ducks in their pond triggers this desire to travel. Migration thema allows the team to stage a film full of twists and turns, to discover different places and covers several psychological topics. The main thing is overcoming your fears.

Studio Illumination brought together talents in all positions, including many French since the film was produced at Illumination Studios Paris, directed by Jacques Bled. This is the studio that made the Mario Bros. film. This is the first time that Benjamin Renner (Ernest and Célestine) worked for an American studio. He co-directs with Guylo Homsy of Studio Illumination Paris (Despicable Me, The Lorax, Sing). The color palette and character animation is a pleasure for the eyes. Once again, the migration thema allows them to create different landscapes and universes from the pond in autumn, to the coldness of New York and the heat of Jamaica.

The french dubbing ensures with Pio Marmai (Mack) as an overprotective father and Laure Calamy (Pam) as a loving and reckless mother. The children's voices are particularly successful, with Simon Faliu (Dax) as a teenager and Pia Gimenez-Bonfils (Gwen) as a naive and sweet little girl. Without forgetting Uncle Dan played by Patrick Raynal, a great dubbing professional. John Powell (Lorax, Dragons, Kung Fu Panda) composes music that aptly accompanies this emotional journey.

As usual, with an Illumination Entertainment movie, you have a short film before. Congratulations for this great initiative. With Migration, you will see MOONED, the adventures of the villain Vektor and the Minions on the Moon.

Migration is a very successful animated film, the film for these end-of-year holidays.

Migration
Directed by Benjamin Renner
Written by Mike White and Benjamin Renner
Produced by Chris Meledandri
Starring US : Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, David Mitchell, Carol Kane, Caspar Jennings, Tresi Gazal, Danny DeVito
Starring FR: Laure Calamy, Pio Marmaï, Simon Faliu, Pia Gimenez-Bonfils, Patrick Raynal, Dominique Frot, Olivia Dalric, Waly Dia, Nicolas Marié
Edited by Christian Gazal
Music by John Powell
Production company : Illumination
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release dates : December 6, 2023 (France), December 22, 2023 (United States), 
Running time : 82 minutes

Seen November 29, 2023 at Publicis Cinéma, Paris, French Version

Sabine's Mark:

Director Benjamin Renner's Migration is a departure from the usual animated films, offering a refreshing and heartwarming experience that transcends the boundaries of a typical children's movie. Benjamin Renner, known for his work on the excellent Oscar-nominated animated film Ernest and Celestine, collaborates with screenwriter Mike White to create a story that not only entertains, but also explores deeper themes such as curiosity, adventure and the anxiety inherent in the unknown.

Benjamin Renner's commitment to avoiding conventional, easy laughs, such as fart jokes, sets the tone for a film that seeks to entertain the whole family with gags that resonate across generations. The result is an action-packed comedy that follows the adventures of an endearing family of ducks, voiced by an exceptional cast that includes Elizabeth Banks, Kumail Nanjiani and Danny DeVito in the original, and Pio Marmaï and Laure Calamy in the French version.

The premise of the film, described as Little Miss Sunshine with a ducky twist, focuses on the dynamics of a family embarking to convince their overprotective father to embark on the vacation of a lifetime. The characters, from the shy father to the adventurous children to the eccentric uncle, are well-crafted and add depth and humor to the story.

Originally scheduled for a summer release, Migration hits cinemas on December 22, in keeping with its central message that there's no place like home. The film cleverly emphasizes that it's not just the place, but the people you share the adventure with that really matter - a poignant and timely message for the festive season.

Illumination's first original project after a slew of sequels and adaptations, Migration stands out for its unique premise and Benjamin Renner's successful transition from hand-drawn animation to computer-generated 3D. The images are a feast for the eyes, with breathtaking scenes that capture the essence of nature and the animated cityscape of New York. Benjamin Renner, aided by his compatriot Guylo Homsy, brings a fresh perspective, delivering a visually dynamic film that avoids the trap of mere spectacle.

The story unfolds with a healthy dose of humor, thanks to simple but effective gags and heartfelt dialogue that appeals to children and adults alike. However, the road trip format introduces various comic scenarios that, at times, seem disjointed, relying on a succession of elements without a strong narrative thread. The introduction of an antagonist, while common in the road trip genre, weakens the overall plot and prevents the film from being a pure adventure.

Despite this slight narrative problem, Migration remains a charming animated adventure. The character designs, especially those of the ducks, effectively reflect their personalities, enhancing the overall visual experience. The animation team's attention to detail creates a sense of escapism, complemented by well-executed sequences that give a real sense of flight.

If the soundtrack lacks striking melodies, the film makes up for it with its engaging characters, visual brilliance and exploration of themes that go beyond the typical children's film. Migration is a delightful choice for viewers of all ages, offering a pleasant escape into a world of fantasy and laughter, with enough depth to leave a lasting impression. We loved it, and can only advise you to discover this film in its original version, even if the French version is just as perfect. A definite contender for best animated feature at the Oscars to be held in Los Angeles on March 10...

Migration
Directed by Benjamin Renner
Written by Mike White
Story by Mike White, Benjamin Renner
Produced by Chris Meledandri
Starring US : Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, David Mitchell, Carol Kane, Caspar Jennings, Tresi Gazal, Danny DeVito
Starring FR: Laure Calamy, Pio Marmaï
Edited by Christian Gazal
Music by John Powell
Production company : Illumination
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release dates : December 22, 2023 (United States), December 6, 2023 (France)
Runnign time : 92 minutes

Seen on December 03, 2023 at Gaumont Disney Village, Room 14 seat A20

Mulder's Mark: