Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken

 Did you know that Dreamworks had a new movie last week? Apparently not with its box-office figures. The good news is that Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken only cost $70 million, so its current $18.8 million gross isn't as catastrophic as its pricier competitors.

Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) tries to live among the land dwellers in the town of Oceanside. She and her family pass off their Kraken-ness by claiming to be Canadian (it works). Her mother Agatha (Toni Collette) forbids Ruby from going into the ocean. Unfortunately, that means she can't go to prom either, since it's on a yacht. She's forced to dive in to save her crush Connor (Jaboukie Young-White) from drowning. Although the new girl, Chelsea (Annie Murphy), takes credit for the rescue, Ruby has bigger things to worry about.

Ruby and her fellow Krakens maybe humanoid on land, but they revert to full sea monster size in the ocean. Ruby, in particular, is the granddaughter of the sea queen (Jane Fonda). Grandmamah, as she insists on being called, helps Ruby hone her Kraken powers. Ruby later bonds with Chelsea after the latter reveals herself a mermaid. But mermaids are actually the evilest of sea creatures, according to Grandmamah. And, as the ads show, Chelsea is no exception. A giant sea battle is imminent.

It's not a complex film, but it's decently entertaining. The Gillmans' "we're from Canada excuse" is surprisingly plausible because the rest of Oceanside blindly believes it. That makes it funnier. Ruby's "panic attack" when she's named royalty was "trailer fodder," but it's a bit funnier in context. Her training with Grandmamah gives us an amusing montage. She puts her skills to great use to defeat Chelsea. I'm kind of mixed on Chelsea's true nature. Her being evil could have been better if it wasn't advertised that much. Her true identity is a bit better of a surprise. But it's quite reminiscent of the plot twist for 2005's Sky High. Anyone remember that? Anyway, her final form's raging water hair is impressive.

It helps that Ruby is a likable protagonist. Her peppy personality is infectious, and we really feel for her at her lowest. She and her supporting Krakens have such cuddly designs whether as humanoids or sea monsters. Grandmamah is entertaining, while Chelsea is surprisingly believable when she acts the nice girl. Human antagonist Captain Gordon Lighthouse (Will Forte) is actually an entertaining braggart. Ruby's human friends - Margot (Liza Koshy), Trevin (Eduardo Franco), and Bliss (Ramona Young) - are a delightfully quirky bunch. The same goes for the other Gillmans, especially their pet Nessie and Ruby's Uncle Brill (Sam Richardson). 

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is sure to entertain the youngest filmgoers the most. The biggest surprise for older filmgoers is how short it is - 91 minutes. It's sure to amaze both sets with its impressive visuals and Stephanie Economou's alluring score. All in all, it's a decent family matinee. But see it soon if you want to see it on the big screen. It might not last longer with that box office.