‘Migration’ director promises clean, genuine laughs without ‘lazy’ jokes

In the creation of Illumination’s latest animated film, “Migration,” director Benjamin Renner prioritized a positive and enjoyable family viewing experience by steering clear of what he describes as “lazy” jokes. Renner, a 40-year-old director and animator, expressed his fondness for family movies, reflecting on his lifelong enjoyment of them and emphasizing the need for genuine effort in crafting humor that resonates with audiences.

“I’ve been watching them since I was a kid, and I keep loving watching them. We tend to think that with a family movie, you’re just going to do gags that are going to be easy for the audience. I always think, ‘No, you will have to really put effort into this; you have to be funny and find good gags and good comedy,'” Renner explained in an interview with The Christian Post.

Renner’s commitment to avoiding what he terms “lazy jokes” extended to ensuring that the film’s creators brought forth fresh and innovative ideas. While recognizing that children often find slapstick humor amusing, Renner aimed to infuse thoughtfulness and surprise into such elements, presenting a challenging yet exciting balance throughout the movie.

Scheduled for release on December 22, “Migration” unfolds the captivating narrative of a mallard family attempting to persuade their cautious father to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Their journey involves migrating from New England through the bustling metropolis of New York City to the tropical destination of Jamaica. Throughout this adventure, the family encounters myriad challenges, including unfriendly birds, thunderstorms, and unforeseen hazards that threaten their existence. The ducks not only surmount these obstacles but also surpass their own expectations, learning valuable lessons about the essence of family bonds.

The film boasts a stellar cast, featuring the vocal talents of Danny DeVito, Kumail Nanjiani, Keegan-Michael Key, Awkwafina, Elizabeth Banks, and more. Rated PG, “Migration” adds to Illumination’s impressive portfolio, known for producing comedic hits such as “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “Minions,” “Despicable Me,” “Sing,” and “The Secret Life of Pets.”

Renner, drawing from personal experiences, injected elements of his own childhood dynamics into the film to create relatable and humorous family interactions. As the youngest child in his family, Renner incorporated his relationships with siblings into the movie, citing a mischievous younger sister character based on his own experiences.

“My instinct is connecting with other people, and when I work on a movie, I always think of people that are close to me, friends and family, and make sure they are going to laugh at or connect with this character. I put a lot of ideas or relationships that I have, things that made me laugh from the life that I have with my brothers and sisters, into my movies,” Renner shared.

Despite being geared towards children, Renner, whose background lies in hand-drawn animation, emphasized that “Migration” delves into deeper themes related to overcoming fear and embracing life’s challenges. The film intricately portrays the complexities of family dynamics, steering clear of simplistic right-or-wrong judgments, and encourages viewers to accept fear as an inherent part of life’s journey, fostering growth through experiences rather than avoiding them.

“The theme of the movie is really getting out of your comfort zone, facing life, and accepting that fear is part of life,” Renner explained. “You should accept that you will be scared in life, but it shouldn’t make you feel that you should stay home in a routine. That’s what I loved about this movie; we’re talking about parents who are going to have to teach their kids to face the obstacles that life is going to give them. Our kids might fall, and our role will not be to prevent them from falling, but to get back up, as well.”

Renner highlighted the nuanced exploration of family relationships in the film, emphasizing that it doesn’t adhere to black-and-white distinctions of right or wrong. Both parents in the story represent different life philosophies, attempting to strike a balance amid the challenges they encounter.

“You have to find the balance because there’s no black and white; it’s not like the father or mother is right or wrong. They both have a philosophy of life, and they’re trying to find the balance. That’s also something that I really loved — talking about the relationship you can have within a family, between a couple, with your kids. There are a lot of things that might feel very serious when I talk about it, but we wanted to treat it in a very comedic and lighthearted way,” Renner elaborated.

Ultimately, “Migration” emerges as a film that navigates the journey through life’s challenges and joys, offering a unique and heartwarming perspective meant to resonate with audiences of all ages, especially during the Christmas season. Renner expressed his dedication to infusing his best efforts into the film, which, with its cute and exciting setting from a duck’s point of view, promises a delightful cinematic experience.

“It’s very human-related with family dynamic and everything, but treated with a point of view of ducks, which makes it cute and an exciting setting,” Renner concluded. “I tried to bring my best to this film.” As “Migration” graces theaters on December 22, audiences can anticipate a heartening and thought-provoking animated adventure.

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Launchpad McQuack, Darkwing Duck, Gosalyn Mallard, Honker Muddlefoot,