History WesternAnimation / Migration

''Migration'' is a 2023 adventure comedy film produced by Creator/IlluminationEntertainment, directed by Benjamin Renner (''WesternAnimation/ErnestEtCelestine'') from a screenplay written by Creator/MikeWhite. It stars the voices of Creator/KumailNanjiani, Creator/ElizabethBanks, Creator/KeeganMichaelKey, Creator/{{Awkwafina}}, Creator/CarolKane, Creator/{{David Mitchell|Actor}}, Creator/IsabelaMerced, Caspar Jennings, newcomer Tresi Gazal and Creator/DannyDeVito.

* ShipperOnDeck: Gwen is one for Dax and Kim; for example, when Kim's flock departs from the pond, Gwen tells the despondent Dax, "I'm so sorry you can't have babies with her."

* TheSpeechless: The Chef doesn't have any lines and mostly grunts, yells, and chuckles. In fact, none of the humans even speak. The only human that is shown speaking mostly sings ''Survivor''.

* WasTooHardOnHim: Mack immediately had this moment after he calls Dax out for his reckless actions. A quick shot showed how everyone else was also shocked by the way Mack chastises Dax.
* WhatTheHellHero: After escaping the Chef, Mack angrily calls Dax out for disobeying him, which cause him to lose some of his feathers in the process.

* YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame: At the beginning, this is what finally convinces Mack to take his family on a vacation to Jamaica: Uncle Dan tells Mack that he approves of Mack's decision to stay in the pond, and that Mack should stick to his beliefs and never change them for anybody. Dan thinks this will make Mack "happy", "healthy", and "totally alone", and therefore "living the dream". But while Mack likes the idea of being happy and healthy, he's horrified at the implication that his overprotectiveness could cost him his family, and he doesn't want to end up alone like Dan.

* AlternativeForeignThemeSong: The Japanese version uses [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfNqUtlqBtA “Tsuki e Ikou” (Let’s Go to the Moon)]] by Macaroni Enpitsu.

-->[[spoiler:'''Gwen:''' [[HeroicBSoD He's gonna cook Mom and Dad, isn't he?]] [[DespairEventHorizon And he'll come back for us...and he'll cook ''us'' too!]] [[BreakTheCutie I WISH WE TASTED AWFUUUUUUL…!!]]]]

-->[[spoiler:'''Gwen:''' [[DespairEventHorizon He's gonna cook Mom and Dad, isn't he? And he'll come back for us...and he'll cook ''us'' too!]] [[BreakTheCutie I WISH WE TASTED AWFUUUUUUL…!!]]]]

-->[[spoiler:'''Gwen:''' He's gonna cook Mom and Dad, isn't he? And he'll come back for us...and he'll cook ''us'' too! I WISH WE TASTED AWFUUUUUUL!!]]

* VillainHasAPoint: Technically, when looking at it from the human perspective, the Chef did indeed pay for the ducks from the farm for use in his restaurant. Them escaping threatens his livelihood, especially after he already paid a large sum of money for them, as evidenced by the huge wad of cash he cave the farmer. His chasing after them might not be out of spite so much as he hs a business to run. Of course, this doesn't change the fact that the ducks in this movie are sapient so it's understandable that they don't want to be cooked by the Chef.

* AmbiguouslyGay: [[spoiler:During the film's DancePartyEnding, Uncle Dan is seen salsa dancing with Delroy.]]

* VillainHasAPoint: Technically, when looking at it from the human perspective, the Chef did indeed pay for the ducks from the farm for use in his restaurant. Them escaping threatens his livelihood, especially after he already paid a large sum of money for them, as evidenced by the huge wad of cash he cave the farmer. His chasing after them might not be out of spite so much as he hs a business to run. Of course, this doesn't change the fact that the ducks in this movie are sapient so its understandable they don't want to be cooked by the Chef.

* AnimalNemesis: The Mallards end up - unwillingly - becoming this to the EvilChef.
* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: Dax is rarely shown getting along with Gwen.

* VillainyFreeVillain: Downplayed with The Chef - whilst it could be argued he is simply doing his job, he ''is'' guilty of animal neglect (keeping Delroy in a barren cage that is way too small for him) and is all-but-stated to have obtained Delroy illegally. He is also a {{Jerkass}} to those around him, bullying his subordinates (who are all clearly terrified of him) for not meeting his standards, being dismissive to Earl and Mae and more or less tormenting the Mallard family when he has them in his grasp, including pinning Dax when trying to capture him.

* BadBoss: In his introductory scene, the Chef tastes one of his subordinates' dishes (as in, a tiny drop of the sauce), and flings it against the wall.

* VillainyFreeVillain: Downplayed with The Chef - whilst it could be argued he is simply doing his job, he is guilty of animal neglect (keeping Delroy in a barren cage that is way too small for him) and is all-but-stated to have obtained Delroy illegally. He is also a {{Jerkass}} to those around him, bullying his subordinates (who are all clearly terrified of him) for not meeting his standards, being dismissive to Earl and Mae and more or less tormenting the Mallard family when he has them in his grasp, including pinning Dax when trying to capture him.

* VillainyFreeVillain: The Chef is clearly an asshole to those around him, pushing the other chefs at the restaurant away cruelly, shoving the workers at the duck farm out of his way in anger when the ducks escape and more or less tormenting the Mallard family when he has them in his grasp, including pinning Dax when trying to capture him. . That being said, nothing he is doing is partially illegal or even evil (from his perspective); he is apparently a completely normal, if rich, chef simply doing his job of serving food, which happens to be ducks. Its very unlikely he knows that the ducks are sapient and intelligent. Also, his buying of the ducks from the farm to use for meat, by all accounts, seems to be perfectly legal, even pays the owners of the place a huge sum of cash.

-->'''Gwen:''' He's gonna cook Mom and Dad, isn't he? And he'll come back for us...and he'll cook ''us'' too! I WISH WE TASTED AWFUUUUUUL!!

* ShovelStrike: While taking a break at the duck farm, Mack plays the role of a "sea serpent" - with Gwen responding by hitting him with a shovel (Uncle Dan gets in on the "fun" too).
* ShownTheirWork: The female mallards are accurately portrayed as being a mottled brown, as opposed to the green-headed males.

* TalkingInYourSleep: [[spoiler:When Dax and Kim reunite, Gwen spoils the moment by falsely claiming to Kim that Dax kept saying her name in his sleep.]]

** [[spoiler:Happens again near the end, with not only Gwen saying "please" again like in the beginning, but also Dax, Mack and the penguins all do the same too in order to convince Pam and Uncle Dan (again) to bring the penguins back to their home in the South Pole all do the same. Lo and behold, it works again.]]

-->'''Gwen:''' He's gonna cook Mom and Dad, isn't he? And he'll come back for us...and he'll cook ''us'' too! I WISHED WE TASTED AWFUUUUUUL!!

* TalkingInYourSleep: [[spoiler:When Dax and Kim reunite, Gwen spoils the moment by telling Kim Dax kept saying her name in his sleep.]]

---> ''(nudges Pam)'' "I didn't know you could be so tough."\\

** [[spoiler: Happens again near the end, with not only Gwen saying “please” again like in the beginning, but also Dax, Mack and the penguins all do the same too in order to convince Pam and Uncle Dan (again) to bring the penguins back to their home in the South Pole all do the same. Lo and behold, it works again.]]

* HappilyMarried: Despite their contrasting personalities (or one could argue because of them), Pam and Mack’s devotion to each other is as clear as it is tenacious. They enjoy being together and openly show affection through gestures such as touching beaks, hugging, and snuggling. Near the beginning of the film, Pam plants a cute kiss on Mack’s cheek. [[spoiler: They also engage in romantic dances three times during the movie, proving to be quite skilled at shaking their tail feathers in tandem too.]]

* MadeOfIron: Chump, a comparatively diminutive pigeon missing a foot, gets run over by two buses and a motorized scooter in less than ten seconds, all PlayedForLaughs. She’s completely ok afterwards.

** [[spoiler: The Chef does this the moment before Delroy and Uncle Dan shoot a squash at him.]]

** [[spoiler:Its certainly possible that local authorities might take note of the helicopter floating around without moving with a guy hanging from it and move into intercept.]]

* UndyingLoyalty: Pam to Mack, exemplified [[spoiler: during the helicopter scene where they’re trapped in the cage and being watched by the Chef. Pam grows despondent after their failed attempt to push the cage out of the cockpit. Realizing they can’t escape, she loses hope, lamenting their separation from their children. She suddenly regrets the decision to leave Moosehead Pond to begin with. Mack attempts to rekindle her spirits by stating she isn’t acting like herself, as she was always the brave and adventurous one. He reminds her of her true nature and strong will with this powerful statement: "You never give up on anything. You haven't even given up on me."]]

* TheWoobie: Gwen goes through this after [[spoiler: Mack, Pam, Dan, Delroy and the ducks were captured by The Chef in his helicopter except for her and Dax, temporarily making her so worried about what may happen to them if they don’t do anything to save them soon, which Dax soon ensures her they will save them.]]
-->'''Gwen:''' [[spoiler: [[DespairEventHorizon He’s gonna cook Mom and Dad, isn’t he? And he’s gonna come back for us...and he’ll cook us too!]] [[BreakTheCutie I WISH WE TASTED AWFUUUUUUUUL!]]]]

* AttackTheInjury: Pam bites the Chef on his nose, which Mack had broken earlier.

* BigBrotherWorship: Downplayed; despite constantly getting on each others' nerves, there are signs that Gwen does actuallylook up to Dax, with a handful of scenes showing her emulating his actions for herself.

* ContrivedCoincidence: The duck farm the mallards stumple upon just happens to be frequented by the chef they encountered previously.

* TheDogBitesBack: The trope literally starts like this. An incensed Pam ends up biting the Chef on the nose through her and Mack's cage, fed up with everything he's done to their family, leading to all the other birds revolting as well by pelting him with fruits and vegetables.
* DownerEnding: The story Mack tells Dax and Gwen at the beginning of the movie ends with the adventurous ducklings getting killed by predators.

* GroupHug: Happens twice between the Mallards. First when Mack confirms they are officially going to Jamaica, and second when Mack and Pam are freed from their falling cage by their kids.

* HorrifyingTheHorror: [[spoiler:Toothpick is shown to be terrified at the prospect of being Gwen's "pet".]]
* ImTakingHimHomeWithMe: [[spoiler:The final scene shows Gwen trying to convince Pam to let her take home a crocodile (which she's named "Toothpick") back home with them.]]

* NoOneGetsLeftBehind: [[spoiler:Despite Dax's occasional irritation with his family, he turns out to have this principle; he refuses to leave Delroy locked in a cage and insists on saving him, and when he realizes that the domesticated ducks are being led into a trap, he risks his own life to warn them.]]

* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: [[spoiler:Dax gives his father Mack a short one when Mack initially refuses to help Delroy because getting the key from the chef will be dangerous: "Just because ''you're'' afraid of everything doesn't mean ''I'' have to be!"]]

* ShipperOnDeck: Gwen is one for Dax and Kim; for example, when Kim's flock departs from the pond, Gwen tells the despondent Dax, "I'm so sorry you can't have babies with her." It's most likely implied that Gwen is misunderstanding this, and Dax and Kim are just friends.

* ClipItsWings: [[spoiler:Near the climax, Dax's primary feathers get damaged by the chef. This renders him unable to fly save for some slight fluttering. Fortunately, as mentioned above, he figures out a way around this, and his feathers are shown growing back at the end of the film.]]

''(Pam draws very close to Mack, staring him down in an intimidating fashion)'' "Really Mack?" ''lowers her voice'' "You didn't know that?"\\

* BadBoss: In his introductory scene, the Chef tastes one of his subordinates' dishes (as in, a tiny drop of the sauce), and flings it against the wall.

* BreakTheCutie: [[spoiler: Gwen temporarily goes through this after Mack, Pam, Uncle Dan, Delroy and the other ducks are kidnapped by The Chef.]]

* ClipItsWings: [[spoiler:Near the climax, Dax's primary feathers get damaged by the chef. This renders him unable to fly save for some slight fluttering. Fortunately, as mentioned above, he figures out a way around this, and his feathers are shown growing back at the end of the film.]]

* EurekaMoment: [[spoiler: After everyone else is taken by the Chef, [[BreakTheCutie Gwen starts crying]], and blows her nose into some fallen feathers. This gives Dax the idea to stick the feathers to his ruined wings, allowing him to fly again.]]

-->'''Gwen:''' [[spoiler: [[DespairEventHorizon He’s gonna cook Mom and Dad, isn’t he? And he’s gonna come back for us... And he’ll cook us too!]] [[BreakTheCutie I wish we tasted awful…!]]]]

** Gwen does this in the beginning with a long desperate “please” to the point of overexertion (with her eyes bulging apart), in order to convince Uncle Dan to come with her family for their migration adventure to Jamaica. It works.

-->'''Gwen:''' [[spoiler: [[DespairEventHorizon He’s gonna cook Mom and Dad, isn’t he? And he’s gonna come back for us...]] And he’ll cook us too! I wish we tasted awful…!]]

* EurekaMoment: [[spoiler: After everyone else is taken by the Chef, Gwen starts crying, and blows her nose into some fallen feathers. This gives Dax the idea to stick the feathers to his ruined wings, allowing him to fly again.]]

* LetMeGetThisStraight: Pam and Dax are quick to question Mack's sudden turnaround regarding the Migration, repeatedly asking him if they are really doing this.

* OddNameOut: Delroy's family most have names that start with the letter "D"... except for one named Wyatt.

** [[spoiler: The Chef does this the moment before Delroy and Dan shoot a squash at him.]]

* PuppyDogEyes: Gwen uses a ''very'' exaggerated version to convince Uncle Dan to join the migration. [[spoiler:She, Dax, and Mack do the same at the very end.]]
* PuppyLove: Implied to be the case with Dax and Kim. Kim is quick to invite Dax and his family to join her flock on their migration. [[spoiler:She hugs him when they reunite in Jamaica, and they even dance together.]]

* ShipperOnDeck: Gwen is one for Dax and Gwen; when Kim's flock departs from the pond, Gwen tells the despondent Dax, "I'm so sorry you can't have babies with her."