Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken" delivers a remarkable visual experience through its 1080p transfer, impressing with its detailed texture representation and vibrant color palette. Fabrics, particularly Ruby's sweater, are rendered with a high degree of realism, showcasing intricate fibrous details and a convincing level of pilling. This attention to texture extends to character hairstyles, such as Connor's distinct frizzy mane, which is depicted with stunning clarity. The animated environments, whether in Ruby's colorful hometown or the depths of the ocean, exhibit deeply saturated colors and satisfyingly immersive depth. The underwater sequences elevate the visual spectacle with bioluminescent elements that enhance the scene with dazzling purples, yellows, and pinks. Furthermore, the black levels are notably inky and comprehensive, effectively enveloping viewers in the deep-sea environment.

Although this release did not see a 4K version, which could have further capitalized on HDR's potential to accentuate the bio-luminescence effects, the Blu-ray's stellar quality remains undeniable. The animation's diverse primary colors offer scintillating visual energy, with both characters and settings maintaining a strikingly vibrant presence against an essentially limitless palette. The contrast is adeptly handled, providing fantastic depth and pronounced visual dynamics. While some aliasing is occasionally perceptible, particularly in background scenes with depth of field effects, the encoding competently manages intricate sequences, including a detailed confetti scene that only minimally challenges the format's capacity.

Overall, "Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken" on Blu-ray distinctly showcases DreamWorks' animation style, satisfying audiences with its luxurious definition of clothing and hair and its ability to render challenging visual elements with elegance and precision.

The audio presentation of the Blu Ray for "Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken" is driven by an English Dolby TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack, offering a mixed experience overall. On one hand, the track delivers clarity and well-rendered voices with adequate directionality when utilized, ensuring character dialogues remain comprehensible and appropriately positioned. However, the soundtrack leans heavily towards a front-centric focus, with limited engagement from the surround channels. This lack of surround involvement results in less immersion than might be expected, particularly during crowd and underwater scenes, where one would anticipate a more enveloping sound design. Music, which should ideally add vibrancy to animated features, falls short in delivering the expected bottom-end impact, with punchy interludes feeling subdued. While special effects such as crashing tentacles and other impactful moments are present, they lack the robust delivery that could enhance the visual grandeur of the film.

On a more positive note, the TrueHD 7.1 mix attempts to compensate for the absence of Dolby Atmos through its superior low-end delivery in certain sequences. During high-energy scenes or when exploring underwater environments, the soundtrack does manage to produce a thick range with commendable performance from the subwoofer, a rare treat in a children's movie. Additionally, in scenes where Ruby experiences anxiety, the track showcases effective use of surround precision to create an appropriately scattered soundscape, with voices dynamically placed across channels. While stereo channels are occasionally active and provide noticeable separation, the overall experience could benefit from more consistent utilization of the available channels to harness the full potential of an animated film's audio demands. Despite its shortcomings, there are still enjoyable moments that highlight the depth and capability of this TrueHD 7.1 mix.

The Blu-ray extras for "Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken" offer an extensive look behind the scenes, capturing the film's creative vibrance. A major highlight is the feature-length commentary from key team members, providing an insightful exploration of the story and production dynamics. The package includes deleted scenes in storyboard format, compounding the storytelling depth. Bloopers bring levity, while deeper dives explore kraken mythology and casting dynamics, showcasing a mix of light-hearted charm and educational content. The extras successfully balance entertainment with technical insights, engaging audiences across ages. The comprehensive collection of content makes for an enriched viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Three scenes in storyboard form with voice actors.
• Squad Solidarity: Adventures in ADR: Voice cast bloopers.
• The Kraken: Myth or Monster: Origins of the creature discussed.
• Meet the Gillman Cast: Voice cast interviews.
• The Kraken Crew: Insights from cast and crew.
• Prom Stories: Cast shares personal prom anecdotes.
• Super Sea Girl Besties: Focus on female talent in animation.
• Oceanside Drawing Guide: Drawing lessons with Glen Harmon.
• Make Your Own Aquarium: Crafting tutorials for kids.
• Feature Length Commentary: In-depth discussion from the film's creators.

"Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken," emerges from DreamWorks, promising to echo the strengths of past successes like "Shrek" and "How to Train Your Dragon." The film invites us into the aquatic town of Oceanside, where teenage angst intertwines with fantastical elements. Ruby, portrayed by Lana Condor, navigates typical adolescent tribulations with a unique twist—being secretly part of a Kraken lineage. This transformation metaphorically captures the tumultuous journey through puberty, marked by body changes and emotional upheavals.

The narrative is female-centric, focusing on Ruby, her mother Agatha, and her grandmother. The authoritative voice of Jane Fonda as Grandmamah adds depth, highlighting familial bonds and a legacy of hidden power. However, the film strategically inverts traditional tropes by casting mermaids as antagonists, which some might find problematic given the inevitable comparisons to "The Little Mermaid." Despite the intriguing take on mythical creatures, comparisons may overshadow Ruby's individual story arc.

Technically, the animation excels, leveraging squid-like character designs to employ movement reminiscent of '30s era stretch-and-squash techniques. The visual style supports nuanced themes, subtly breaking away from horror tropes seen in past teen monster films like "I Was a Teenage Werewolf." Instead of inciting fear, "Ruby Gillman" emphasizes understanding and courage, resonating with contemporary values. Despite occasional tropes and predictable outcomes, the film’s artistic decisions and sociocultural subtext provide a layered experience, though it ultimately remains a fleeting addition to modern animation endeavors.

"Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken" offers a visually rich, albeit conventional, animated coming-of-age tale. While it doesn't quite measure up to the grandeur of classics like "Shrek" or "How to Train Your Dragon," its vibrant animation and imaginative storytelling provide an engaging experience particularly suited for a pre-teen audience. Jane Fonda's voice performance adds a touch of gravitas to the narrative, which incorporates familiar themes reminiscent of "The Little Mermaid." The Blu-ray edition enhances the visual appeal with a strong video presentation, although the audio track falls slightly short of expectations.

The special features on the Blu-ray are a commendable addition, especially for younger viewers with an inclination towards arts and crafts, complementing the film’s light-hearted and imaginative essence. The movie's pace is brisk and its purpose clear, catering well to its intended demographic. While some might find the plot predictable, younger audiences are likely to appreciate its adventurous spirit and creative execution.

In conclusion, "Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken" is an entertaining addition to family-friendly animated films, offering enough charm and visual splendor to captivate its juvenile audience. Though it may not reach the pinnacles set by its predecessors in the genre, it remains a delightful watch for those seeking lighthearted escapism. Recommended for those interested in animated features that balance fun with a touch of adventure.