Funny animated adventure is just ducky; some peril, threats.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
some
The ducks are often on the run from predators, some animal, some human; they dodge fire, vehicles, people, etc. The frequent peril creates scares that are generally mild and comical, although some visuals can be intense, especially on a big screen. A mean chef is relentless in pursuing the ducks, wielding a knife and eager to capture them to use as ingredients. Family members are separated from each other, with some trapped and in danger. A bird's wings are hurt, making flight difficult. Herons are portrayed as scary -- in a story, they squish ducklings, and one who takes the family in seems very creepy/predatory, even holding a knife. A bird is smacked by a bus and a scooter; characters are hit with a shovel. A caged bird is sad and lonely, far from home. A duck bites a human on the nose. Arguing.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
Trips and vacations create moments of family bonding, and it's worth taking some risks to experience adventure and try new things. For kids to grow, parents need to allow them to "spread their wings." When all seems hopeless, you have to stay optimistic.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Mother bird Pam leans into adventure and is a loving and supportive wife and mother. Father bird Mack is cautious and overprotective, but that comes from the love he has for his family, and he learns to be more open to change and new experiences. Son Dax is brave and shows leadership during a family crisis. When one group of birds meets another group of birds, it might initially seem worrisome, but they look out for and protect each other.
Diverse Representations
a little
Main characters are all animated birds; some are voiced by White actors and others by actors of color, including Pakistani American actor Kumail Nanjiani, Chinese/Korean American actor Awkwafina, and mixed-race American actor Keegan-Michael Key, who adopts a Jamaican accent to play a captive parrot longing for home. Mom duck Pam is brave and determined, a leader in her family. Very few humans are featured, but the two who are seen the most are villains/negatively depicted, and they're White.
The plot calls attention to how birds migrate during the winter, as well as some of the challenge they might encounter in the process. Jamaica's bioluminescent bay is featured, although no explanation is given as to why the water glows at night.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Migration is a charming animated adventure that follows a family of four ducks, led by parents Mack (voiced by Kumail Nanjiani) and Pam (Elizabeth Banks) Mallard, as they set out on a migration adventure. Mack is an overprotective parent, terrified of something happening to his ducklings in a world full of predators. He's not wrong: Larger birds and knife-wielding chefs do see the ducks as dinner, and they're frequently trying to escape. But the peril is always balanced with comedy, and the ultimate message is that fully experiencing life is worth taking some risks. One notably creepy sequence involving a heron is shot like a horror movie, and little kids will likely feel the tension even more when the movie is viewed on the big screen. Still, the Mallards get through it, and so will most kids. Language is limited to insults like "chump," "psycho killer," "stupid," and "trashy vermin," and the phrase "bustin' your bills" is used. (Note: In theaters, the Minions short "Mooned"screens ahead of Migration. It contains comic peril, a Minion who drinks a martini, and a short-fused, silly villain who uses the words "stupid," "dork," and "poop.") To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Overall the movie was great, the plot flowed together really well and it wasn’t political or woke in someway. Just a good movie would recommend for kids.
My 6 year old never gets scared but was frightened often in this movie. The little girl next to us hid under her mom’s coat half the movie and various kids cried throughout the movie theater. I think common sense got it wrong this time. Better for older kids.
What's the Story?
Every winter, overprotective father duck Mack Mallard (voiced by Kumail Nanjiani) and his family opt out of flying south and brave the elements in their New England pond because it's familiar and safe. But when a gaggle of geese invite the Mallards to join their MIGRATION to Jamaica, he reluctantly agrees to pack the family up and join the adventure.
With little iffy content and plenty of humor, this Mike White co-written comedy is a charming choice for all ages to watch together. Migration is best suited for the big screen: The swooping action and in-your-face visuals put viewers in flight alongside the Mallards. But, with snappy action and dialogue, it's just as entertaining on a small screen -- and, given the fact that the Mallard family's flight is somewhat terrifying to them, little ones may be less likely to feel their fright outside the cineplex.
Like an interesting bird sitting outside your window, the movie is diverting -- and likely to leave viewers young and old in a good mood. The voice cast is talented, and there are nice messages about staying optimistic when all seems hopeless and parents letting their kids spread their wings (literally, in this case) as they grow.
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
