A blue-skinned,15-year-old “mathlete” with a strict mother and dreams of going to the prom learns she’s a princess with extraordinary abilities. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken delights with a clever take on the trials and tribulations of growing up. Her adolescent journey is humorously complicated by a big secret. Ruby and her family are sea creatures — drum roll please — masquerading as Canadians. She endures a frightening physical transformation, a duplicitous peer, and unrealistic expectations to find her true self. The film delivers a sweet girl power message with vivid animation that the entire family will enjoy.
Ruby (Lana Condor) has a serious crush on the cute skateboarder she tutors. She desperately wants to attend her high school prom with the charming Connor (Jaboukie Young-White). But there’s a big problem that goes against her mother Agatha’s (Toni Collette) cardinal rule. Under no circumstances should Ruby or Sam (Blue Chapman), her precocious little brother, enter the water. That’s a difficult task when their family lives in Oceanside, and the prom takes place on a boat.
Ruby’s nerdy besties have a plan to deal with her overprotective mother. Lie to Agatha and ask Connor to the prom. She has to engineer a stunning prom proposal to truly win his heart. Ruby’s use of quadratic equations on her graphing calculator elicits groans all around from “the squad.” They give her a glitter gun to pop the question with panache.
Pretending to Be Canadian
DreamWorks Animation/Universal Pictures
The prom proposal turns into a complete disaster. A bumbling Ruby knocks Connor off a pier. She has no choice but to plunge into the water to save him. What happens next catches Ruby completely by surprise. Her dormant kraken powers erupt in a gigantic way. She rescues the unconscious Connor but inadvertently reveals her kraken form to the entire town. Panic erupts as the crusty, peg-legged fisherman guide, Gordon Lighthouse (Gordon Lightfoot), swears to kill the monster.
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A scared and terrified Ruby hides. Agatha finds her daughter and calms Ruby back to a normal state. The situation gets worse when a gorgeous and popular new student, Chelsea Van Der Zee (Annie Murphy), takes credit for rescuing Connor. The unexpected arrival of Ruby’s Uncle Brill (Sam Richardson) reveals Agatha’s reason for hiding her family. Ruby decides to take another plunge and find the one person with all the answers. Grandmamah (Jane Fonda), the Kraken Warrior Queen of the Seven Seas, has long waited for the Princess’ return.
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken creatively addresses several themes. Ruby’s body undergoes a dramatic change. She’s horrified to look different. Ruby feels hideous and unattractive. Why would Connor or her friends ever want to be seen with a freakish monster? But being a kraken can be a gift, not a curse. Grandmamah teaches Ruby that her new form can do amazing things. Embrace your abilities, rise to the occasion, and take your place as royalty.
Choose Your Own Path
DreamWorks Animation
Agatha, also taught by her mother to be a ferocious fighter, rejected kraken values. She didn’t want Ruby following Grandmamah’s tentacled path. Pretending to be human allowed her family a safe haven from dangerous responsibilities. Ruby can’t believe her doting, real estate agent mother was a hero that defeated the krakens greatest threat. She becomes caught in a tug of war between Agatha and Grandmamah’s expectations. Ruby must choose her own path but cannot escape destiny.
Chelsea represents everything that Ruby wants as a high school teen. She’s pretty, confident, and everyone clamors for her attention. Chelsea also hides a big secret. Mermaids are the sworn enemies of krakens. But Chelsea wants Ruby to be her “sea girl bestie.” They can be friends and start a new chapter of peace between the races. The need for affirmation lures the naive into making bad decisions. Chelsea is the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing. She’s a bad influence that manipulates for her own agenda. Ruby’s desperation to be liked prevents her from identifying a malicious person. This is perhaps the film’s most important lesson.
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The conflict between the krakens and mermaids goes in a somewhat rote direction. The plot introduces a weapon that can bring the war to a decisive end. This leads to the requisite big action finale. The animation looks great. Krakens versus mermaids with eye-lasers blazing is a battle definitely worth seeing, but it leads to a safe and predictable conclusion.
Empowering Young Women
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken brings to mind a similar CGI film from last year. Turning Red has a Toronto girl morphing into a giant red panda as an allegory for puberty. Both stories successfully achieve the goal of empowering young women. Never be ashamed of your appearance. Make good decisions and put your trust in the right people. Mothers may seem domineering but have the best intentions for their children. They’ve already been through adolescence and can provide the best guidance.
Kudos to Hollywood for positive reinforcement without preachiness or moralizing. One question remains though…who wins in the Ruby Gillman and The Little Mermaid battle for ocean supremacy?
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is a production of DreamWorks Animation. It will have a June 30th theatrical release from Universal Pictures.
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