by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Will audiences discover new wonders in DreamWorks’ latest animated feature? This studio might not get the same level of respect and praise as Disney or Pixar, but they have delivered great films, from Shrek,to How to Train Your Dragon, to Kung Fu Panda. Their latest offering is a vibrant world of land and water. It is a mix of coming-of-age tale and big-time fantasy with some of the most recognizable creatures of the deep from myth. But this time, there just might be a bit of a twist.
What do directors Kirk DeMicco and Faryn Pearl have in store with Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken? First off, you might be disappointed to find out that this film is almost beat-for-beat the same movie as Turning Red. Movies have borrowed from each other since the dawn of film… but this one is quite egregious. The only real difference in the broad strokes of the narrative is that Ruby Gillman has a more traditional antagonistL evil mermaids! But generally, its story feels so familiar. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does lose some muster, and you can guess the beats in every scene.
But where does this aquatic tale stand on its own? Its best beats are those of teenage angst, which feel genuine and relatable. The music choices and production designs bring an entertaining personality that shines, especially in the first act. Ruby (Lana Condor) and her friends are a lot of fun, and their voice performances feel earnest. There is some rock-solid humor and genuine heart that shines in the early stages of the film. How it handles the “hiding krakens in plain sight” is quite fun and clever. Unfortunately, once the fantastical elements start to overtake the narrative, it feels less fresh and begins to drag. That is not a good thing when the whole film leads up to a big ocean battle which feels a lot less interesting than the teenage drama.
So what really does stand out? The animation shines. The colors and lighting are big and bold and beautiful. This small fishing town is colorful, and plenty of personality pours out. That is one of the reasons the first act works so well. We spend time exploring the town, which is much more interesting than the darker depths. The designs of the krakens and mermaids are exciting to watch as well, and is the most memorable element of the later parts of the film.
What is the most consistently good element of the film? The voice cast. Condor is earnest and lovable, as she brings Ruby to life with plenty of likability. Toni Collette is great as ever, bringing plenty of depth and emotion to Ruby’s mother. Jane Fonda has fun, even if she doesn’t bring a ton of extra substance to the grandmother character. Colman Domingo and Sam Richardson are the sillier father and uncle characters. Annie Murphy is a blast as a sassy and self-absorbed mermaid. Throw in Will Forte as a salty sailor who hunts krakens, and you have quite the cast.
Does DreamWorks have a winner on their hands? Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is a bit unbalanced, with some elements that shine better than others. The visuals are flashy and vibrant in a fun way, and the voice cast is the real shining light. But if you can get past the fact that it is a recycling of another big studio’s flick, then you just might have a good time.
Score: 6/10
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken will be in theaters on June 30
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