DreamWorks Animation’s “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken” attempts to navigate the waters of female adolescence, but falls short of its potential. Despite its energetic journey and metaphors for puberty, the film lacks the elegance and relatability found in Pixar’s “Turning Red.”
A Muddled Protagonist and Unique Mythology
Ruby Gillman is a typical 16-year-old girl, except for the fact that she’s bright blue and has gills. Her family hails from Canada, and Ruby strives to fit in and hide her unique attributes. However, her mother’s warnings about the ocean become a reality when Ruby discovers that a dip in the Atlantic Ocean would transform her into a gigantic Kraken. This premise draws parallels to Pixar’s “Turning Red,” but Ruby Gillman fails to capture the same elegance and depth.
Crushes, Mermaids, and Mean Girls
Ruby’s crush on skater boy Connor is jeopardized when she saves him from drowning, only for a new girl, Chelsea Van Der Zee, to steal the credit. The film explores the dynamics of teenage insecurities and manipulative behaviors. However, it fails to fully commit to a parody or offer relatability, leaving the adolescent journey feeling underdeveloped.
Missed Opportunities and Lack of Focus
As Ruby embarks on an adventure involving deep-sea leviathans and a magical quest, the film loses its dramatic tension and becomes a mere distraction. While it boasts colorful visuals and pop-accompanied montages, it fails to deliver on its potential for thoughtful emotion. Important relationships, such as Ruby’s friendships and her bond with her mother and grandmother, are sidelined, leaving the narrative feeling fragmented and unsatisfying.
A Lost Voyage
“Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken” falls short of the mark set by recent animated films, including Sony’s Spider-Verse and DreamWorks’ own Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. While it showcases impressive underwater effects, the film stifles its emotional core, leaving audiences feeling disconnected and uncertain of its purpose. With missed opportunities and a lack of focus, this animated coming-of-age film finds itself adrift at sea.