IR Film Review: RUBY GILLMAN - TEENAGE KRAKEN [Dreamworks/Universal]

The texture of a Dreamworks animation film has usually reflected in its reflexity to the modern climate. While "Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken" does this in a certain way, it more caters to a smaller demographic. The story of a young girl finding her identity before growing into her own skin has been done before (and definitely at times) with greater gusto. Interestingly enough the textures of the animation here seem closer at times to something like "Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs" but without the extraneous humor that populated that film. "How To Train Your Dragon" (which connected more in its world) made more of the kingdom it created. When Ruby's powers are revealed in "Teenage Kraken", she is drawn to an underwater kingdom that her grandmother (played by Jane Fonda) rules. The reality is that this kingdom seems just partially built out.

Even a place where Ruby eventually has to retreive a mythical object from seems more or less arranged together haphazardly without a necessary use in mind. The jet stream in "Finding Nemo" had a geographical reasoning. This kingdom just seems to be offshore and there. The more dynamic relationship of film though between Ruby (played by Lana Condor) and her mother Agatha (played by Toni Collette). One scene after one transformation when Ruby in her Kraken form is hidiing behind a lighthouse works particularly well since it uses a sense of scale and fog to good effect but actually plays subtly to the true issues at hand.

When the film enters its 3rd act after baiting the audience a little bit with a failed friendship and a mistaken relationship (in a way), it brings it all together in the pinnacle of the teenage life known as Prom (though this one is held on a boat that looks like a freighter). As a progression, it is understood and checks all the boxes. However the final showdown which bridges the story seems flat in many ways, even if it is narratively clean. The door is kept open for future endeavors but the characters themselves, even with their quirks, aren't as enjoyable or contextual as they think they are. Even a would-be friend pays homage to a different character instead of creating something new in its stead. As a result. "Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken", while perhaps a nice diversion for kids, doesn't offer much more than a relaxing afternoon. C

By Tim Wassberg