I attended a free screening in exchange for my honest opinion.
RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN is a DreamsWorks Animation Action-Comedy rated PG. The cast includes Lana Condor, Toni Collette, Annie Murphy, Sam Richardson, Liza Koshy, Will Forte, Colman Domingo, and Jane Fonda.
Ruby Gillman is a teenager living an unassuming life while attending Oceanside High. She and her friends are outliers—Ruby is a mathlete, and her closest friends include a gamer, a theater geek, and a goth. They always stay by Ruby’s side, even if it means giving up something fun at school. Ruby also tutors her crush, Connor, a skater-boy.
Ruby’s mom has a seemingly irrational rule that Ruby must stay away from the water at all costs, and it has meant Ruby has missed out on normal teenage experiences. Her mom has forbidden her from attending the prom because it is a cruise on the water. Ruby is surprised when her friends tell her they are going to prom, despite their pact to stay by her side. After all, it’s prom and they have dates. They convince her to go against her mother’s wishes and go to prom, plus they encourage her to ask her crush, Connor.
As Ruby is trying to ask Connor to prom, a freak accident lands Connor in the water, and Ruby dives in to save him, breaking her mom’s rule to never go in the water. While in the water, Ruby undergoes a transformation into a giant colorful Kraken. She’s able to save him, but she hides until she can find her mom, leaving an unintentional path of destruction in her wake.
Ruby is disappointed her mother never explained her Kraken heritage or that Krakens have been given a bad reputation in sea lore—they are actually the good protectors of the sea. Shrinking back to her teenage size, Ruby goes back to school and learns the new girl, Chelsea, has taken credit for saving Connor.
Just like Ruby, Chelsea has a secret from the sea—she’s a mermaid. They bond over this shared ocean life trait and become fast friends. Ruby has learned the history of the Krakens from her grandmamah, the Kraken Warrior Queen of the Seven Seas, including how to harness her newly acquired powers, plus her mom is actually a warrior princess and saved the underwater world from the power-hungry mermaids while hiding a powerful trident.
But befriending Chelsea is not all glistening seashells and pretty sea anemones, and a terrible thing happens on the night of the prom. An epic battle ensues, and Ruby will have to fight to save her world. But will she make it to the prom?
The movie is entertaining with the aquatic cast of characters, family dynamics, and friendship. It’s a STEM-positive movie and Ruby is a fearless teenage heroine. A fun pop soundtrack with oceanic instruments enhances the scenes.
Will Forte as Gordon Lighthouse provides comedic relief as an old salt who wants to trap the Kraken, always suspicious, but in the end, he helps the Gillmans, aided by his crab Davey. Ruby’s family is quirky, and Jane Fonda shines as Grandmamah.
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken gives a unique teenage twist to the mythical tale of Krakens, and this family-friendly movie will have you laughing at the sea adventures and cheering for the unexpected. Ruby learns she has the inner power to find her own way in the world, on land and in the sea. It’s a beachy treat for all!
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Official Trailer
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Online
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