Welcome fans of animated cinema! Today we immerse ourselves in the enchanted world of the film “Prendi il Volo” (also known as “Migration”), the latest pearl produced by Illumination, ready to take us on a journey that goes beyond the clouds, directed by Benjamin Renner and co-directed by Guylo Homsy.
The story follows the adventures of a family of mallards, in particular the children's attempts to convince their overprotective father to leave their everyday worries behind and embark on the vacation of a lifetime. The goal? A daring migratory journey that will take them from New England, through the vibrant chaos of New York City, to the sunny beaches of the Bahamas.
The stellar voice cast is yet another reason not to miss this film. Featuring the original voices of Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key and Danny DeVito, “Prendi il Volo” (Migration) promises a performance full of emotion, comedy and unforgettable moments. Each character brings a unique spark to the screen, promising to create an emotional bond with viewers of all ages.
First announced in February 2022, “Prendi il Volo” marks a significant moment for Illumination. Benjamin Renner, known for his traditional animated films, took on the challenge of adapting his distinctive drawing style to a computer-animated production. This strategic move by studio head and producer Chris Meledandri indicates a desire for renewal and focus on individual artistic vision, thus differentiating itself from Illumination's recent projects.
The soundtrack promises to be an experience in itself, thanks to the talent of John Powell, who returns to collaborate with Illumination after the success with “The Lorax” in 2012. His ability to weave emotional musical themes promises to further elevate the sequences already powerful in the film.
“Prendi il Volo” made its official debut at the VIEW Conference in Turin, Italy, on October 19, 2023, capturing the attention and enthusiasm of the audience. The date to mark in red on the calendar is December 22, 2023, when the film will be released in cinemas in the United States.
Don't miss the opportunity to join this family of mallards on their journey filled with humor, adventure and, above all, heart. “Take Flight” is more than an animated film; it is an invitation to take flight towards new emotional horizons. An unmissable event for cinema lovers of all ages!
History
The Mallard family lives a quiet, unchanged life, floating carefree on their New England pond. The head of the family, Mack, is an overprotective and particularly apprehensive father, always careful to avoid any type of risk that could endanger his beloved family. For him, there is nothing more reassuring than the daily routine in the pond at home. On the contrary, Pam, her partner, is animated by an irrepressible desire for adventure and the desire to show their children, the young teenager Dax and the little duckling Gwen, the wonders that the world has to offer.
The monotony of their days is suddenly interrupted by the arrival of another family of migrating ducks, who land on their pond bringing with them extraordinary tales of distant and exotic places. This meeting sparks a bold idea in Pam: convince Mack to leave behind the security of the pond to embark on an incredible family trip to warm and sunny Jamaica, passing through the frenetic and glittering streets of New York City.
With some hesitation, Mack accepts, and the Mallards begin their journey south in search of a tropical winter. However, not everything goes according to plan. Between unexpected events, setbacks and comical situations, the journey turns out to be much more complex and adventurous than they had expected. These unexpected experiences will lead the family to expand their horizons, open up to new friendships, and accomplish more than they ever thought possible.
Through this adventure, they will not only discover new wonders of the world, but they will also learn about each other, understanding more deeply the desires, fears and dreams of each family member. Their migration to unknown lands will become a journey of personal growth, during which they will discover that the world is much bigger than the pond they lived in, and that the real adventure is in learning more about themselves and their abilities. This unforgettable journey will teach the Mallards that sometimes, flying into the unknown can be the most exciting way to find themselves.
The characters
- Mack Mallard (voice of Kumail Nanjiani) – The apprehensive and overprotective father. Mack is the epitome of caution, preferring the safety of the home pond to the dangers of the unknown. His constant anxiety is balanced by a heart of gold and unconditional love for his family.
- Pam Mallard (voice of Elizabeth Banks) – The brave and witty mother. Pam is the adventurous soul of the family, always ready to explore new horizons. Her quick intelligence and desire for adventure are the driving force behind the family's migration.
- Dax Mallard (voice of Caspar Jennings) – The confident and restless son. Dax is full of youthful energy and curiosity, often seeking new thrills and adventures, sometimes in defiance of his father's concerns.
- Gwen Mallard (voice of Tresi Gazal) – The innocent and adorable daughter. Gwen observes the world with wonder in her eyes, bringing sweetness and light to the most tense situations, and bravely learning from the world around her.
- delroy (voice of Keegan-Michael Key) – A parrot with a Jamaican accent who has a heart full of nostalgia. Locked up in a Manhattan restaurant, Delroy dreams of the freedom and warm rhythms of his beloved Jamaica.
- chump (voice of Awkwafina) – The charismatic leader of a New York City pigeon gang. Smart, bold and with a hint of sass, Chump knows the city streets like her pens.
- Then (voice of Danny DeVito) – The gruff and adventure-unwilling uncle. Dan is the classic grump with a soft heart, who prefers the predictability of routine to the suspense of the unknown.
- The yogic leader (voice of David Mitchell) – This mysterious character leads a duck farm with a zen philosophy, offering wisdom and a peaceful perspective along the Mallards' journey.
- Erin (voice of Carol Kane) – An elegant heron that the Mallard family encounters along their route. Erin adds a sense of grace and tranquility to the adventure, offering a different perspective and unexpected friendship.
Production
“Take Flight,” a signature work in the animation landscape, was announced by Illumination on February 18, 2022. The film marks a milestone for the studio, entrusting the direction to Benjamin Renner, known for his work in feature films traditional animated films such as “Ernest & Celestine” and “The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales”. Joined by co-director Guylo Homsy and with a script by Mike White, Renner brought a fresh and unique sensibility to the project.
One of the most challenging aspects for Renner was adapting his minimalist drawing style for a computer animation environment, requiring a detailed and fully rendered representation of backgrounds, unlike his previous works. This did not stop Renner from leaving his artistic mark; the animator had already successfully experimented with a similar approach in the 2014 film, “Yellowbird”. For “Prendi il Volo”, he drew inspiration from nature, creating characters with distinctly expressive characteristics, avoiding a strict adherence to photorealism.
The stellar voice cast was announced on April 26, 2023, with names like Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, and Danny DeVito, among others. The production also featured behind-the-scenes talent such as co-director Guylo Homsy, editor Christian Gazal, and production designer Colin Stimpson.
Promotion of the film included the release of a teaser trailer on April 5, 2023 and an official trailer on July 18, 2023. In a significant promotional move, a 25-minute sequence of the film was presented at the International Animated Film Festival in Annecy on June 14, 2023, with the presence of Renner and producer Chris Meledandri.
As for distribution, “Prendi il Volo” had its official premiere at the VIEW Conference in Turin, Italy, on October 19, 2023. The US theatrical release date is scheduled for December 22, 2023, after being postponed by original date of June 30, 2023.
Finally, thanks to an agreement between Universal and Netflix, the film will be streamed on Peacock for the first four months of the pay-TV window, then it will be available on Netflix for the following ten months, and finally it will return to Peacock for the last four months, ensuring that the film reaches a large and varied audience across different platforms.
Data Sheet
Italian title: Take the Flight Original title: Migration
Country of Production: United States of America
Year: 2023
Gender: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Directed by: Benjamin renner
Film script: Mike White
Producer: Chris Meledandri
Production House: Illumination Entertainment
Italian distribution: Universal Pictures
Mounting: Christian Gazal
Music: John powell
Original voice actors:
- Kumail Nanjiani: Mack
- Elizabeth Banks: Pam
- Caspar Jennings: Dax
- Tresi Gazal: Gwen
- Keegan-Michael Key: Delroy
- Awkwafina: (character name not given; listed as) leader of a New York City pigeon gang
- Danny DeVito: Dan
- David Mitchell: (Character name not given; listed as) Yogic leader of a duck farm
- Carol Kane: Erin
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