“I think…I am having a panic attack!” –Ruby Gillman
Coming-of-age films are a dime a dozen. However, when is the last time you remember watching one that featured giant Krakens, mermaids, and an undiscovered underwater world? Enter: Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken.
The DreamWorks animated film focuses on 15-year-old Ruby (Lana Condor) as she navigates through high school. Now, Ruby knows that she and her family are different, and they do what they can to fit in with the humans who live in their seaside town. While some residents are skeptical, like the ornery captain and the town’s tour bus driver, Gordon Lighthouse (Will Forte). Based on what her parents Agatha (Toni Collette) and Arthur (Colman Domingo) have told her, Ruby knows they moved out of the sea because of all the underwater dangers.
Of course, Ruby doesn’t want to question her parents too much, but when she’s told she cannot attend the junior prom, which will take place on a boat, Ruby decides to rebel for the first time. Making a pact with her friends to attend the function despite her mother’s “No.” However, when a fluke accident lands Ruby in the sea she’s been avoiding her entire life, the secret about Ruby being a giant Kraken is revealed, which turns her world upside down. As if being a teenager wasn’t hard enough, Ruby has one more thing about herself that she must keep hidden.
Directed by Faryn Pearl and Kirk DeMicco, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken gives us a coming-of-age tale unlike any other. While it follows some recognizable tropes within the genre, the inventive way the story is told by weaving deep sea lore and legends set it apart from fellow films. However, though it makes the film stand out, it also left me wanting to know more about the underwater world which audiences do get glimpses of, complete with a history lesson from Ruby’s Grandmamah (Jane Fonda), but I wish it would have been more fleshed out. Most of the time is spent with Ruby trying to fit in and pretend to be a “normal” teenager when the most interesting part of the story happens beneath the waves.
While many underwater moments look amazing (kudos to the animation team), we don’t see as much as Ruby’s land-dwelling. The scenes we do get happen fairly quickly, save for one or two, making this aspect of the film feel rushed. It would have been nice to feel more fully immersed in the underwater home of the Krakens. Building off of the legends from Ruby’s grandmother’s stories, you’d believe that you might see some of those elements in the film, but unfortunately, that doesn’t come to pass and is ultimately a missed opportunity. The film loses its way about midway through trying to have Ruby fit in with the banality of being a teen when it’s very clear that she is not like the other high schoolers (even if most of them don’t seem to notice).
That said, the film is uplifted by the voice acting of Lana Condor. Condor brings a relatability to Ruby with a pitch-perfect performance. Condor makes sure that Ruby is lovable, funny, and easy to root for. If I think of who else could voice Ruby, there is no one else who comes to mind, as Condor does the best job. In addition to her moments alone, Condor has great chemistry with the other actors in the cast. Condor and Jaboukie Young-White (who plays Ruby’s crush, Connor) have great chemistry with one another, and their moments together make for some of the funniest and wholesome interactions in the film.
Of course, we cannot talk about the movie and not talk about the greatnesses that are Jane Fonda and Toni Collette. As Ruby’s Grandmamah and mother, respectively, Fonda and Collette shine. The pair have instantly recognizable voices and do their best with them in their roles. The scenes they share with Condor’s Ruby and the trio together bring some of the most heartfelt and better moments of the film. In fact, every member of Ruby’s family is exceptional in the film. Domingo’s Arthur brings the comedy alongside Blue Chapman as Ruby’s brother, Sam and Sam Richardson as Brill, Ruby’s uncle and Agatha’s brother. The trio combine for much of the film’s more humourous scenes and the comedic timing of each is impeccable.
As standout element of the film is its animation. It is bright, colourful and vibrant, with every aspect of the sea and town differing dependant on the location. It is very clear that the animators had the utmost care when creating the seaside town and all of its residents. Every building is unique, just like the people and sea creatures that make appearances throughout the movie. In addition to eye-catching visuals, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken serves as a reminder of why DreamWorks Animation is one of the best animation studios in the business.
With an original story and A+ animation backed up by brilliant voice acting, it’s a shame that the film itself didn’t live up to the hype and excitement brought forth from viewing the trailer. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is a film that could have been great and, in the end, simply settles for okay. Regardless, it’s still an enjoyable family-friendly film with relevant themes and great voice performances that the viewers can get some delight from.
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