Go big or Go Home! Sink or Swim Ruby Gillman!

Written By Yongma Lee

Seen at Century Theater Capital Mall, Olympia WA

 July 1, 2023

 

             Despite a slow start on the box office for the animated film, I would say this movie is actually quite a prospective pearl in the briny dark depths of the ocean. I have read about how the film criticized for its unoriginal story despite the amazing character design and graphics. Not to mention the titular characters sweet, yet relatable quirks make her likable along with the animation in the film. I do admit that I see some similarities from earlier animated films, but the soundtrack of different songs from popular artists would give it a bit more unique approach along with Ruby’s attempt to ask her crush out for prom. Nevertheless, it’s high time to go below the surface and dive deep to see how big this movie presents. Apologies for the pun, but… let’s get kraken.

Plot Spoilers

             Ruby Gillman has been on land for 15 years with her family. Her overprotective mother forbids her to go on any activity involving being near the ocean, including prom, which happens to be on a ship. It is due to her family harboring a huge secret. At first being reluctant, but decide to do it by asking her skater crush, Connor. But an awkward attempt of a promposal create a bit of a misfire from the Confetti cannon cause him to fell into the ocean prompt her to become a giant kraken. After the Kraken situation, she wants to explore more about her origins along with running into a very evil mermaid named Chelsea. She also finds that she’s also a protector of the seas defending against dangerous creatures including mermaids. How will she consider herself as a normal teenager after becoming a gigantic creature?

Pros and Cons

             Let’s start with the pros. The animation for Ruby Gillman is very entertaining and energetic that I could easily connect the similar animation style to Hotel Transylvania. From the character designs to the movements, such as Sam Gillman’s dodgeball as well as the Chelsea’s introduction demonstrate some of the similarities in animated technique felt borrowed from Tartakovsky’s film. I also noticed that I find Ruby’s fantasy about her crush asking him out to Prom would be interesting, charming, but very funny having her daydreaming while Connor says hi.

             Ruby Gillman is quirky but very likeable and relatable, especially when all of us have gone through this kind of phase in high school.

The Music from famous pop stars being a nice touch and each for the occasion, such as BlackPink’s Pink Venom showing Nerissa’s true nature and menacing capability, or even Plastic Pony by mxmtoon for a fun thrill ride throughout the seas. The soundtrack definitely have a jukebox tone has an occasion to match the mood of each of the scene.

             As for the cons, I felt like the film felt rather rushed as it still rely on smash cuts in the means of creating a 90 minute movie without any further substance, such as prior Connor’s entrance in the school hallway or a sudden jump to Chelsea’s intro when Ruby asked about the new girl. Along with Chelsea’s sudden transformation without the beginning of said process. I also noticed the criticism for the unoriginal script in the film. In fact, I did see similar pattern between this film and Disney’s Turning Red. Such as Ruby’s overprotective Mom, people freaking out when she turned into a giant anthropomorphic kraken, let alone tension between mother and daughter.

Myths and comparison with film

             While the myths did say that Krakens are giant mythical Octopi known the sink ships, this film has depicted them to be a mix of the movie monster Gillman with sea monkeys along with the invertebrate features of an octopus, including the tentacle suckers at the fingers with some extra touches. And in this film, krakens depicted as protectors of the seven seas.

             Mermaids, on the other hand, have characteristics having more in common with the evil counterpart, sirens, in this film. Showing their vain and narcissistic behavior, it’s clear that they are more concerned with their appearances instead of well-being of others like the Merfolk of legend. The mermaids of legend are not just beautiful but also kind and caring as well that many people popularize them in stories and other media, such as the little mermaid.

Final Thoughts

             Despite the movie not doing well in the box office, the movie’s very concept is actually salvageable, including some of the characters, the character design and any bits that caught my interest. Ruby Gillman is rather short, but a very wonderful thrill ride. Yet the movie could’ve gone a little longer with a bit more original story in order to make it more media worthy, as well as more marketing opportunity for the film with less in spoilers throughout the trailers and commercials.

Out of mercy, I also personally liked the film for its effort in the animated film industry as well as the fact that I also liked the titular character as I also gone through similar situations as a high school student. Therefore, I am giving the Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken 7.3 out of 10 stars. If the movie really did go longer along with connecting scenes for the plot points, it would’ve gone bigger.