Migration On Netflix Hides A Creepier Kids Movie Than You’d Expect
While you might not be surprised that the animation studio that brought us the Despicable Me franchise has given us another film with dark undertones, Migration, Illumination’s latest animated film to hit Netflix, is much creepier than you’d expect. It has some harrowing escapes, intensely thrilling moments, and near-death experiences. Indeed, Migration may even be too much for some of its younger, more sensitive viewers.
Migration Explores Darker Themes And Adult Humor
Long before Migration hit Netflix, it was in early talks for writing and directing, and Chris Meledandri specifically chose animator and comic book writer Benjamin Renner. Renner is a French artist with a much different eye for animation and for children’s stories than we’ve seen from Illumination, or from most children’s movies or series lately. Which is precisely why Illumination’s founder, Meledandri, thought Renner would be perfect. In contrast to earlier Illumination films, Migration would focus on the filmmaker’s eye.
Migration does just that, and now that it’s on Netflix so you can see for yourself. The slapstick humor, the serious themes laced with mature comedy, and the very real danger the characters find themselves in all remind me of the kind of animation that was around when I was a kid — all the way back to Bugs Bunny or Roger Rabbit. Renner wrote the script with Mike White (of School of Rock fame), and you can see the nod to an older, wiser, slightly creepier comedy throughout the entire film.
A Simple Story About Ducks On An Adventure
When Migration came to Netflix, my kid begged to watch it again, even though we’d seen it in theaters. The story is simple enough — an overly cautious, overprotective dad (Kumail Nanjiani) is convinced by his wife (Elizabeth Banks) and his two kids, to take a trip away from their happy, safe, home pond in New England all the way to Jamaica. Of course, they have to take old, crotchety Uncle Dan (Danny DeVito).
Just The Right Amount Of Tension And Release
From the outset, the family is beset by trouble. They try to take refuge in a swamp during a storm on their way to New York and they encounter a crazy old heron (Carol Kane) and her husband in an old shack. The entire night in the shack, the audience is convinced Erin is going to leap out and eat the family. Every duck involved is terrified (except Uncle Dan, of course) and when dawn finally arrives after a gripping encounter with a violent catfish, you, the viewer, are as relieved as the duck family.
Pulse-Pounding Adventure For The Whole Family
But there’s so much more to Migration, which is likely why Netflix was eager to pick it up for streaming. There’s a rescue plan involving a fast-talking pigeon (Awkwafina) and a Jamaican Macaw, (Keegan-Michael Key, who’s soon to voice Bumblebee in Transformers One) that involves flying knives and jumping fires. Yet another rescue involves an entire farm of ducks about to be shipped off for slaughter, which involves a drop from a helicopter and a vicious chef.
Migration is more adventure, really, than anything else. And the scary moments can be really scary, at least for kids.
Streaming Migration On Netflix
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Fortunately, my kids are creepy queens, and will watch Migration repeatedly on Netflix.
I appreciate that Renner and White also managed to get heartwarming themes of family, growing up, letting go, and being brave into this latest Illumination gem. And clearly audiences agree with me, giving the film an 88 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics came in slightly lower at 73 percent positive approval, but, well, critics are critics, after all.
Watch Migration on Netflix the next chance you get. Just be prepared to comfort your more sensitive kiddos during the creepy parts.
