When I saw this advertised last year, I thought it looked cute and would have gladly seen it if I could, albeit alone since, despite being an adult, others like my mother have issues with me doing stuff on my cellphone, even if I'm not pirating a film (which I would never think of doing). However, my above-average need for bathroom breaks hampers the theatergoing experience, alongside other factors like overpriced concessions. Despite apps like RunPee, I wouldn't say I like missing significant segments of films and prefer to take frequent breaks. Since it was released on Peacock recently, I decided to give it a gander (pun intended).
The film features a family of mallards headed by Mack and Pam Mallard. The former is reluctant to allow their children into the outside world. However, they decide to follow migrating ducks en route to Jamaica, overnighting with a creepy heron couple shortly after encountering a rainstorm. They wind up in New York City, having a run-in with a gang of pigeons spearheaded by a hen named Chump, who doesn't take kindly to being called by her name or anyone in her flock "vermin." She leads them to Delroy, a Jamaican macaw, whom they attempt to free so they can continue to his homeland.
I enjoyed this movie and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, especially given its animal cast and strong voice performances. I didn't recognize most of the cast aside from Danny DeVito, who brilliantly voiced Mack's aging Uncle Dan and served as decent comic relief, and Keegan-Michael Key, who voiced Honest John in the live-action remake of Pinocchio (and was the only real high point of that film). The only real issues are the black-and-white stereotyping of specific animals like the herons and the weird ending credits themes (but the other music is enjoyable and includes a salsa cover by Mon Laferte of Destiny Child's "Survivor").
A fun family film.
