Right now, I think Dreamworks Animation. I feel that they are the underdog in this current animation world right now. While Illumination has been packing houses, Sony Animation has been shattering expectations, and Disney/Pixar is dealing with their post-pandemic fall from financial grace, we have Dreamworks here just hitting us with remarkable little gems here and there. Not every release is amazing (I’m looking at you, The Boss Baby: Family Business), but they hit more often than not. This time they bring us Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, a story of a teenage girl named Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor), who’s a little different than other kids but has a pretty much regular teenage life – going to school, being good at school, liking a boy, and hanging out her friends. She doesn’t know much of her family’s past because her mother, Agatha (Toni Collette), doesn’t tell her anything other than stay away from the water. Ruby ends up in the water and finds out more about herself and her family than she bargained for when she becomes a giant Kraken.
The movie really takes the experience of being a teenager and the changes to your body, along with wanting to know more from your parents than just whatever they deem important to know, really imaginatively, with the whole Kraken motif used. The one thing that I noticed first was how this animated feature looked. They were able to give this computer-animated film a look similar to stop motion clay animated features. There’s a real tactile feel to the characters and the world all these characters exist and interact in. The way the lighting is done, along with the fidelity of the textures on the character, helps blur the animation’s feel between analog and digital. One thing that stood out to me and that I love for in CG animated films is hair, and the one character that amazed me was Conner (Jaboukie Young-White) and his curly purple hair – which looks amazing. It has strays, and the curls just looks damn near like real hair. The character designs are robust, too, with beautiful lighting effects, especially underwater. Everything glows wonderfully, and the water looks amazing with big bright colors. You’re never lost in this movie, and it is always fun to look at.
The supporting cast members do some great performances as well. As Grandmamah, the Kraken queen of the seas, Jane Fonda was hilarious and perfect casting. Liza Koshy, as Margot, brought a very big vocal performance to her character, who is Ruby’s best friend. Will Forte plays the character Gordon Lighthouse who is a classic style ship captain with the eye patch and peg leg that bring a ton of comic relief when he’s on screen, especially when partnered with Colman Domingo’s Arthur Gillman, Ruby’s father, and Brill (Sam Richardson), Ruby’s (recently discovered by her) Uncle. The story overall does a good job with juggling the coming of age, the difficulties of puberty, the generational divide, mean girls, and just being a fun film to watch. I was really beyond surprised because I wasn’t expecting much and was wowed for the entire day after.
Score: B+
