Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken

Image credit: imdb.com

The appeal of animated family films, aside from the bright colours and, memorable characters, and scripted life lessons, is the fantasy of them. Dreamworks has been consistently coming out with some fresh and fun takes on celebrated stories and genre, often twisting traditional representations of fantasy creatures around so that they become loveable leading characters rather than the monsters of their original texts. Within the span of 90 minutes, ogres can go from vicious maneaters to sweet and misunderstood romantics or, in one of Dreamworks’ most recent films, krakens can go from shipwrecking monsters to protectors of the ocean.

Ruby Gilman Teenage Kraken tells the story of Ruby Gillman, a young kraken living with her family in a seaside human town. Her problems are just like any other teenager’s; maths, trying to prompose to her dream guy, and keeping up the façade that she’s from Canada rather than a kraken. But when she rescues her dream guy from drowning, something awakens in Ruby and she transforms into a giant kraken. Suddenly a promposal is the least of her worries, as she discovers she’s a warrior princess destined to protect the entire ocean from the clutches of the evil mermaid queen Narissa.

This is a fun Little Mermaid story that flips the roles of the heroes and villains. Just imagine that final climactic battle scene, except both Arial and Ursula are ginormous and Arial’s wielding the trident and laughing maniacally. Internally, it’s a sweet coming-of-age story about finding one’s a place in their community and being true to oneself.

The animation is very pretty with the giant krakens themselves being particularly beautiful: all sparkling and luminescent. There’s a fun cast of eccentric characters that each have their time to shine, and a modern, poppy soundtrack to round out the fun.

Image credit: filmaffinity.com

It’s not the most incredible family film that Dreamworks has come out with, but it’s a harmless way to while away some of the afternoon.

Director: Kirk DeMicco & Faryn Pearl (2023)

Cast: Lana Condor, Colman Domingo, Liza Koshy, Ramona Young, Blue Chapman, Jaboukie Young-White, Sam Richardson, Toni Collette & Jane Fonda.