2/5 stars
In its latest offering, Migration, a family of mallard ducks leave the seclusion of their pond and venture south for the winter, against the wishes of their overprotective patriarch.
What follows is a typically zany road movie as the family of ducks navigate the perils of New York, before being targeted by a vicious knife-wielding chef, en route to the sunny climes of Jamaica. Ironically, their exploits are markedly less adventurous than the blockbuster exploits of the Minions, and noticeably less funny too.
Kumail Nanjiani lends his voice to Mack, head of the family of docile ducks, who wishes for nothing more than for his brood to remain in the safety of their quiet New England pond forever.
When they encounter a flock of more adventurous birds on their way south, Mack’s mate, Pam (Elizabeth Banks), and their two ducklings, Dax (Caspar Jennings) and Gwen (Tresi Gazal), yearn to spread their wings and join them.
Reluctantly, Mack eventually acquiesces, and with ageing Uncle Dan (Danny DeVito) in tow, they set off on what inevitably proves to be a life-changing adventure for all of them.
Unwisely pitched by creator Benjamin Renner as “Little Miss Sunshine but with ducks”, Migration lacks any of the wit or world-weary wisdom present in that 2006 Oscar-winning comedy.
The animation is admittedly gorgeous to look at, and the film bright and breezy enough to capture the attention of younger audiences.
However, the plotting is disappointingly generic, short on surprises and bereft of any elevated humour that might appease more demanding adult attendees.
In cinemas, Migration is preceded by a new Minions short, entitled Mooned. It stars Vector, the arch-villain from the first Despicable Me film voiced by Jason Segel, who is stranded on the Moon with one bemused Minion, who watches on as Vector makes numerous ill-fated attempts to return home.
Sadly, it must be conceded that there are more laughs and infectious zaniness in this five-minute Wile E. Coyote-esque appetiser than in the entire feature film that follows.