Flying South for the Winter with a Family of Ducks

Have you seen the trailers for this film? If you have, you most likely know what to expect from Migration. However, there are a few surprises in this movie. But are those surprises suitable for your kids? In this Migration Christian Movie Review & Parent Guide, I give you the information you need before viewing this movie with your children.

Migration Christian Movie Review

Studio Synopsis:

This holiday season, Illumination, creators of the blockbuster Minions, Despicable Me, Sing and The Secret Life of Pets comedies, invites you to take flight into the thrill of the unknown with a funny, feathered family vacation like no other in the action-packed new original comedy, Migration. The Mallard family 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.

My Synopsis:

A family of mallard ducks has a predictable life in a small pond, but the kids and mom want to spread their wings and see the world. Eventually, they convince Dad Mallard, Mack, to go on a family trip to Jamaica. However, they make an unexpected stop in New York City and connect with a disabled pigeon and a parrot named Delroy. Will they ever make it to Jamaica?

Migration Christian Review –  What Parents Want to Know

Language:

While there is no foul language, there is the use of heck. Additionally, there are words used such as trashy vermin, stupid, and chump.

However, the worst part of the language in this film is that the mom mallard belittles dad mallard. In fact, she says to ignore the “stupid things that come out of his mouth.”

Furthermore, while flying, there is a discussion about going to the bathroom while in the air. Mom says to the daughter, “You can do it while you fly,” and then she says to the dad, “We have a #2 situation here.”

Violence:

Mack is overprotective, and he tells his kids about the dangers of the world.

Additionally, the Mallard family encounters a “scary” heron and it looks like they may be killed by the heron. Then Uncle Dan Mallard is attacked by pigeons.

A pigeon only has one foot, and is hit by a bus. Then later is hit by a scooter. However, the pigeon lives.

The worst violence occurs when the anthropomorphic ducks encounter a chef who chases them with a meat cleaver. The chef also uses a knife to taste a dish, and then when it doesn’t meet his standards, he throws the entire plate.

Later in the film, the chef reappears, takes the duck family, and put them in cages. His intent is to use the ducks in his restaurant.

Spiritual Content:

The duck family encounters a group of ducks doing yoga. Furthermore, a reference was made about a duck being on a “Journey of the soul.”

Other Content:

In addition to the mom belittling the dad, the mom is portrayed as the adventurous one in the family, while the dad discourages the children from ever leaving home. Hollywood continuously portrays dads in a negative light. However, by the film’s end, the dad has “changed his image.”

Dax meets a female duck and is smitten with her. At one point, his sister says to the female duck, “I’m so sorry you can’t have babies with her.” Later, his sister says, “Dax keeps saying your name while he is sleeping.”

Positive Content:

Overall, this “duck family” has a close relationship. However, they struggle with typical family issues such as sibling fighting, disagreements, and the dad is overprotective.

Christian Review of Migration – My Viewing Recommendations

While this movie is rated PG by the MPAA, the chef can be very scary for small children. Additionally, there are a few other scenes that could be frightening. For this reason, I would not recommend this movie to anyone under six years old. In fact, there was a younger child in the theater, and the dad and child left before the film was over.

Akwafina reminds me of many of the characters that Wanda Sykes used to play. She is annoying at best.

Furthermore, Migration is only 1 hour, 31 minutes; however, during the film, I checked the time several times, hoping it would be over soon. While most reviews will praise this film, my thoughts were, “Hollywood, do better.”

About the Movie:

Rating: PG for action/peril and mild rude humor

Release Date: December 22, 2023

Runtime: 1 hour, 31 minutes

Genre: Comedy/Adventure

Style: Animated

Studio: Illumination 

Director: Benjamin Renner

Written by: Mike White

Produced by: Chris Meledandri

Editor: Christian Gazal

Music by: John Powell

Distributed by: Universal Pictures

The Cast of Migration:

Mack Mallard voiced by Kuail Ali Nanjiani

Pam Mallard voiced by Elizabeth Banks

Dax Mallad voiced by Casper Jennings

Gwen Mallard voiced by Tresi Gazal

Dan voiced by Danny DeVito

Chump voiced by Awkwafina

Delroy voiced by Keegan-Michael Key

Googol voiced by David Mitchell

Erin voiced by Carol Kane

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where can I watch Migration?

The Illumination film Migration was released into theaters in the United States on December 22, 2023.

At that time, it was not available for streaming.

Is there an end-credit scene for Migration?

No, there is not an end-credit scene in Migration.

Will Migration stream on Disney+? 

No. Migration is not a Disney film. Additionally, it is not produced by a Disney affiliate. Therefore, it will not be streaming on Disney+.

Will Migration stream on Peacock?

When Migration begins streaming, as part of Universal’s deal with Netflix, the movie will stream on Peacock for four months and then move to Netflix for 10 months. Finally, it will return to Peacock for another four months.

How much did it cost to produce Migration?

The production product for Migration was $72 million.