Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken takes the myths about krakens and mermaids, and flips them on their heads, making for a cute and fun film.
Mermaids are universally loved, while krakens are feared, but in Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, these myths are turned on their heads. In this charming coming of age story, Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) is a young kraken who has been trying to live her life as a human for fifteen years, hiding who she truly is.
For fear of being hunted and called a monster, she goes through life with a small clique of friends, trying as hard as she can not to be noticed by her peers. She loves math and has a crush on a boy that she tutors. Her parents have warned her to never step foot in the ocean, since the reason they fled was because of the monsters that live there.
Predictably, after a series of unfortunate events, she ends up in the water, which unleashes the giant kraken inside of her. Poor Ruby seems to have lost her place in the world. On top of normal teenage issues, she must now deal with the fact that he mother has been lying to her, and she doesn’t know at all who she is anymore.
When new girl Chelsea (Annie Murphy) arrives at school, it is quickly revealed that she is a mermaid. The two decide to join forces to stop their species from fighting, hoping to make the ocean a safer place for all.
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is a quickly paced film, flying by at just ninety minutes long. It is easy to fall in love with Ruby right from the start. Audiences will immediately be rooting for her to figure it all out. Pretty much everyone can relate to their teenage years. Even younger audiences are going to be able to find something about the story that they see themselves in.
The movie features some truly beautiful animation. With colors that pop and draw you in, it is a feast for the eyes. That being said, there are some choices made that might have audiences split. For example, the final form of the mermaid is unique, but the choice for the hair doesn’t exactly work for me — however others I know loved it.
The story itself is touching. Even though it is very familiar, and reminiscent of Pixar’s recent film, Turning Red, it brings something unique to the table as well. As a parent, the mother / daughter aspect hits especially hard. Parents will often sacrifice for their children. We do what we feel is best, even if it means telling little white lies, or lying by omission. It is often done to protect them, without thinking about how it will seem to our children if they discover the truth.
This is where Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken excels. Not only is there the relationship between Ruby and her mother, there is also the relationship between Ruby’s mother and Ruby’s grandmother, who just so happens to be the Kraken Queen. This part of the story might feel like something we have seen several times over, but that doesn’t stop it from hitting hard and delivering a powerful message.
Besides the familial themes, there are also important lessons about being who you are, standing up for your friends, and going out on a limb — even if you don’t know how others are going to react. Ruby Gillman is shy but lovable. Her friend group is hilarious and delivers a lot of the comedic relief. Overall, this movie might be predictable, but that doesn’t make it any less entertaining. It packs a punch with some great action sequences and has a bopping soundtrack as well.
Overall Thoughts
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is a solid movie. This is one that younger audiences are sure to be mesmerized by thanks to the bright colors and fast paced story. While it is certainly on the predictable side, it still delivers an entertaining story that tells important lessons.
Forcing viewers to reconsider all that they know about mermaids and krakens is smart, and offers a unique take on undersea stories. Add in the coming of age aspect and Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is the perfect family summer blockbuster.
A charming and entertaining coming of age story that teaches lessons about pushing past stereotypes and not judging a book by its cover.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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About Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken
Sweet, awkward 16-year-old Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) is desperate to fit in at Oceanside High, but she mostly just feels invisible. She’s math-tutoring her skater-boy crush (Jaboukie Young-White), who only seems to admire her for her fractals, and she’s prevented from hanging out with the cool kids at the beach because her over-protective supermom (Toni Collette), has forbade Ruby from ever getting in the water.
But when she breaks her mom’s #1 rule, Ruby will discover that she is a direct descendant of the warrior Kraken queens and is destined to inherit the throne from her commanding grandmother (Jane Fonda), the Warrior Queen of the Seven Seas. The Kraken are sworn to protect the oceans of the world against the vain, power-hungry mermaids who have been battling with the Kraken for eons.
There’s one major, and immediate, problem with that: The school’s beautiful, popular new girl, Chelsea (Annie Murphy) just happens to be a mermaid. Ruby will ultimately need to embrace who she is and go big to protect those she loves most.
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken comes to theaters on June 30th.
