Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Movie Review | Safe for Kids?

Is Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken safe for kids? Is Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken OK for children? Read the Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new 2023 DreamWorks animated film, starring Lana Condor. No spoilers! #TeenageKrakenMovie May contain commissioned links.

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide

Disney isn’t the only one going under the sea this summer.

But krakens take center stage as the heroes in this coming-of-age film. Is the world ready to embrace this ocean monster of a teen?

Is Ruby Gillman swimming towards another box office hit like Trolls, Shrek or How to Train Your Dragon? Or is DreamWorks “kraken” under the pressure of Disney movie competition?

In this Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full PG age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch in this new Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken parents guide to the new 2023 DreamWorks animated film. A no-spoiler parent review of Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, does this under the sea film stand a chance against the 2023 summer blockbusters?

The Visuals

Visually, DreamWorks has produced yet another visually stunning animated film. Sharp details, enhanced water animation, as well as bright colors, sparkling skin tones and fluid movement (very similar to Trolls) gives off a very happy, bubbly, kid-friendly vibe for this summer 2023 film.

However, those prone to motion sickness may be surprised that much of the scenes are quick moving, rotating and wavering – which could be nausea and/or seasickness inducing. I would compare these potentially dizzying scenes to The Super Mario Bros. Movie warp pipe scenes combined with boat/ocean motions.

Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy or photosensitivity, please be warned that there are multiple scenes in Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken that could be triggering. I would estimate about 50% of the film with bright flashing lights and strobing like effects. There are multiple scenes are in darkness with bioluminescence animation, speedy camera visuals and use of flashing lights to enhance emotions. Bright colors, flashing lights and rotating visuals occur during much of the underwater sequences, as well as scenes on land – and they could be VERY seizure inducing (and also possibly nauseating).

Between the bioluminescence animation, flashing lights and quick camera movements, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is one of the most photosensitive animated movies I’ve ever watched, even more so than The Super Mario Bros. Movie or Incredibles 2. I highly recommend those prone to epilepsy or photosensitivity to watch with caution or have a trusted loved one prescreen first.

The Story

This summer 2023, DreamWorks Animation is diving into an all-new animated film directed by Kirk DeMicco (“The Croods“), produced by Kelly Cooney Cilella (“Trolls“), along with Faryn Pearl (“The Croods: A New Age“) as co-director. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken features a comedic powerhouse cast including Lana Condor (“To All of the Boys I’ve Loved Before“) as Ruby, Toni Collette (“Knives Out“) as Ruby’s mom, Jane Fonda (“Book Club: The Next Chapter“), Colman Domingo (“Fear the Walking Dead“) as Ruby’s dad, Sam Richardson (“Veep“) as Ruby’s uncle and Blue Chapman (“Council of Dads“) as Ruby’s little brother. Also co-starring Will Forte (“The Last Man on Earth“), Nicole Byer (“Young & Hungry“), Ramona Young (“Z Nation“), Eduardo Franco (“Stranger Things“) and Echo Kellum (“Arrow“).

Dive into the turbulent waters of high school with a hilarious, heartfelt action comedy about Ruby Gillman, a shy teenager who discovers that she’s part of a legendary royal lineage of mythical sea krakens and that her destiny, in the depths of the oceans, is bigger than she ever dreamed. Using popular teenage coming-of-age tropes, humor and sarcasm, Ruby Gillman shows off her true colors through a journey of overcoming stereotypes, self-identity, acceptance, and family love.

However, as charming as Ruby Gillman and the kraken life is, this animated film also seems to slap back at another certain child entertainment giant. The timing and the character placement seems ironic considering that another under the sea film has just released this summer. And the tropes and life lessons seem to be closely familiar to another popular coming of age film you may have seen somewhat recently (*cough, Turning Red, cough*).

But with enough sparkly scenes, one liners and a somewhat clever spin on ocean mythology meets modern day society story, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken holds her own – without overstaying her welcome. With just enough takeaways that may even have audience members getting a little misty eyed, there’s character, relatability and heart (and cameos!) – all of the necessities for a somewhat memorable DreamWorks film.

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken PG Rating Explained

Is Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken safe for kids? An original DreamWorks animated movie that’s rated PG? Should parents be concerned? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all movie and TV age ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how ratings have shifted over the years with G-rating no longer an option.

PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, and even PG-13/TV-14 age ratings teetering on the edge of R or MA ratings (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and Werewolf by Night, I see you!), there’s a wide range between the age of 0-14 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or show is kid friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.

Why is Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken rated PG? In this Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, this all-new 2023 DreamWorks animated film is rated PG for “some action, rude humor and thematic elements.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is kid friendly. Is Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken too adult for kids? Too crude? Let’s breakdown that PG age rating in this Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken parents guide.

Violence/Suspense. The action and violence in Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken include images of possibly scary looking ocean creatures (all within the Ruby Gillman animation realm of the film), use of harpoon gun (including harpoon hitting directly into a character’s head), one animal attacking a woman’s face (for comedic relief) and some hand-to-hand fighting. Very mild peril. No gore or blood. This DreamWorks film fits in with the violence intensity level of the How to Train Your Dragon franchise.

Adult Themes. Teenage movie stereotypes and themes are very common throughout Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken. Dealing with hormones, self-identity, prom, dating, peer pressure, cell phones and social media, acceptance, tense family dynamics (including use of the word “hate” towards parents), divorce, skipping school, mental health references to “panic attacks,” and teen rebellion actions. No alcohol or drug content.

Sexual innuendo and adult content include hugging, brief hand holding and dancing while holding hands, one kiss between married parents and one kiss on the cheek. There’s also discussions similar to Turning Red of discussing teen bodies going through changes and referring to blossoming and flower metaphors. There is one quick verbal and visual reference to an LGBTQ+ relationship of one girl taking another girl to prom – but could be easily overlooked/missed by a child if not paying close attention. There is also one visual of a girl holding a sign up that says “Marry Me” to another girl. And one reference to a guy as “bae.”

Language. Does rude humor include foul language in Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken? Thankfully, swear words and foul language are almost nonexistent in this animated movie. There are 2 play on words phrases of “son of an angler fish,” and “mother flipping.” But that’s as naughty as this DreamWorks film gets.

Milder insults and bad language words and phrases include “stupid,” “dumb,” “weird,” “freak,” “freaking out,” “oh my gosh,” and pronouncing the letters “OMG.” Not quite 100% clean, but glad to see that this DreamWorks film fits within the other popular animated franchises for language.

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Movie Age Rating for Kids?

The Overall

Kraken up or kraken under the pressure? Not quite as iconic as Shrek or the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, Ruby Gillman is no Turning Red, in my opinion. But that’s not to say that Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken let’s her teen raging hormones overstay her welcome. In fact, Elemental may get a little emotional over the competition this summer 2023.

With clever humor, a twist on the usual ocean mythology storyline, and relatable characters, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken stands tall as an underwater summer adventure that will have kids and parents alike laughing. This movie dives deeper below surface level – into important life lesson tentacles that we could all learn from.

Follow Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken on social media:

• Website: https://www.dreamworks.com/movies/ruby-gillman-teenage-kraken
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teenagekrakenmovie/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DreamWorks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TeenageKrakenMovie/
• #TeenageKrakenMovie

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Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken the all-new DreamWorks animated film is swimming into theaters for summer 2023 starting on Friday, June 30, 2023. Will your family be watching?

I was invited to screen the new 2023 DreamWorks animated film Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken in exchange for this Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of DreamWorks/Universal Pictures. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!