Illumination, the creators of the blockbusters Minions, Despicable Me, Sing and The Secret Life of Pets, are back with a new action-packed animated comedy; Migration.
All about a family vacation like no other the film Migration stars a top-flight comedic cast led by Oscar and Emmy nominee Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick, Eternals) as anxious dad Mack and Emmy nominee Elizabeth Banks (Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect franchises) as Pam, the daring, quick-witted matriarch.
I was delighted to chat with the pair about playing husband and wife, being ducks, and for Banks, turning 50 and being fabulous!
In Migration Golden Globe winner Awkwafina (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) voices the scrappy leader of a New York City pigeon gang while Oscar nominee Danny DeVito (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) co-stars as Mack’s curmudgeonly, adventure-averse Uncle Dan.
The film centres around the Mallard family which is in a bit of rut. While dad Mack is content to keep his family safe paddling around their New England pond forever, mom Pam is eager to shake things up and show their kids—teen son Dax and duckling daughter Gwen—the whole wide world. After a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, Pam persuades Mack to embark on a family trip, via New York City, to tropical Jamaica. As the Mallards make their way South for the winter, their well-laid plans quickly go awry. The experience will inspire them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends and accomplish more than they ever thought possible, while teaching them more about each other—and themselves—than they ever imagined.
From a screenplay by Mike White, the Emmy winning creator of The White Lotus and the screenwriter of School of Rock, the film is directed by Benjamin Renner, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker of Ernest & Celestine and The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales.
Migration is a visual spectacle unlike any in Illumination’s acclaimed history, featuring elevated, expressionist artistry and Illumination’s signature subversive humor and authentic heart, unforgettable characters and joyful soundtrack.
Produced by Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri, Migration is a film about overcoming your fears and opening yourself up to the world and its opportunities.
It’s a very funny, feathered family film which gets 5 quacks/stars from me!
