Ben 10 (2005)

Ben 10 (2005)
1 Part Kid, 10 Parts Hero, It's Hero Time!
Genre: Action Adventure Comedy-drama Science fantasy Slapstick comedy Superhero Running Time: 22 minutes, one 44 minute special Country: United States Release Date: December 27, 2005 - April 16, 2008 Network(s): Cartoon Network Created by: Man of Action Distributed by: Warner Bros. Television Distribution Starring: Tara Strong Meagan Smith Paul Eiding Dee Bradley Baker Steven Blum Richard Steven Horvitz Richard McGonagle Fred Tatasciore Jim Ward Seasons: 4 Episodes: 52 Next show: Ben 10: Alien Force

Ben 10 is a 2005 American animated sci-fi action-dramedy series created by Man of Action (a group consisting of Duncan Rouleau, Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, and Steven T. Seagle), and produced by Cartoon Network Studios. The series is about a 10-year-old boy named Ben Tennyson who gets a watch-like alien device called the "Omnitrix" (the prefix omni means all). Attached to his wrist, this allows him to transform into various alien creatures. He then uses these powers to fight evil from Earth and space. The show premiered on December 27, 2005 and ended on April 15, 2008. The show was a huge success and a smash hit, leading to multiple sequels, spin-offs, and merchandise, and is considered a classic of 2000s animation.

Plot

Ben Tennyson, a 10-year-old boy, discovers a magical device that can turn him into 10 different alien heroes, each with its own unique abilities. With this newfound power, Ben, Grandpa Max and cousin Gwen help others and stop evildoers - but that doesn't mean he doesn't cause some superpowered kid mischief once and a while.

Why It Unleashes The Incredible Power of the Omnitrix

1. The premise of a 10-year-old kid getting a watch from outer space that can turn into 10 different aliens is interesting.
2. The aliens that Ben can transform into are well designed and really cool looking. Also, Ben gets more aliens as the series goes on so it doesn't get repetitive, including Cannonbolt, Wildvine, Blitzwolfer, Upchuck and Waybig.
3. Lots of good action and comedy.
4. Beautiful, well made Art-Style that looks anything but ether bland or zany, Perfect easy eye & well detailed pupils designs on Ben and Gwen.
5. Great story.
6. Many of the hilarious, funny moments for the series, despite its action scenes.
   • It had many alien-themed puns that Ben ever had, including "You guys really burned me up!".
   • An example being in the episode "Dr. Animo and the Mutant Ray", there are some funny scenes where Ben transforms into fusions of two aliens, like Stink Arms, Diamond Matter, and Heatjaws. The episode was so popular that a online game was created based around it. You would buy the toys and enter the codes that were on the cards that came with them. Once you entered 2 codes, you would unlock a fusion.
   • There was even a toy called "Alien Creation Chamber" that allowed you to make fusions similar to the ones seen in the episode. They are still making it to this day, and you can buy it on Amazon.
7. Interesting dynamic with Ben, Gwen and Grandpa Max.
8. Gwen gets magic powers in the middle of the series, letting her become a powerful sidekick instead of a character who spends her time off to the side.
9. Vilgax is a great villain.
   • There are tons of other awesome villains as well, such as Kevin 11, Dr. Animo, Hex, Charmcaster and the Forever Knights.
10. You get to see Ben 10,000, the future version of Ben, who has unlocked 10,000 aliens and the "Master Control" for the Omnitrix (for obvious reasons, you won't see more than about 10-20 aliens).
11. And speaking of the "Master Control" gimmick, when Ben unlocks the "Master Control" he gets to switch between all of his aliens by name or thinking it at will at any time,
    • that perfect gimmick that would have been even better if used throughout the entire franchise.
12. Smooth anime-influenced animation.
13. Incredible, hilarious, catchy, kickass and memorable theme song.
14. While it is lighthearted, there are plenty of dark moments, such as when Vilgax returns to Earth to fight Ben.
15. Great worldbuilding with the alien species and planets, which in turn gives the franchise a very interesting lore.
16. Along with its unique concept, it pokes fun at the superhero genre very well.
17. Top-notch sound design, with every single sound effect sounding awesome and memorable.
18. Great voice acting, with every casting choice sounding perfect.
19. It great spawn sequels, Ben 10: Alien Force, Ben 10: Ultimate Alien and Ben 10: Omniverse and there all canon and connected well to the original series.
20. It’s TV movies Secret of the Omnitrix and Destroy All Aliens were both good too.
21. This is the first Cartoon Network show to transition into widescreen.

Bad Qualities

1. The alien transformation sequences can be utterly disturbing for the TV-Y7-FV rating.
2. Ben and Gwen's bickering can get out of hand at times. It can be understandable though since younger siblings or relatives have those arguments in real life.
3. There's some bad episodes, such as "Tourist Trap", "Side Effects" and "Super Alien Hero Buddy Adventures".
   • Some episodes even have filler in them as well.
4. Some jokes can be mean-spirited.
5. Some unlikable characters like Ben's bullies themselves Cash & J.T., & Ben's love interest Kai Green. Likewise, Ben and Gwen Tennyson may also be unlikable at times.
   • Gwen Tennyson, despite being a great character, is somewhat of a Mary-Sue.
6. There are some repetitive moments in terms of plot progression, such as Ben's Omnitrix malfunctioning at times.
7. The final episode, "Goodbye and Good Riddance" is sadly non-canon due to being a What If...? episode.
8. Has some animation errors, and the animation can become off-model at times.
9. it's live-action TV movie Race Against Time, is not well-received.
10. The first four seasons of it's reboot from 2016 is awful.
11. This is the first show in the franchise to make use of the dreadful flash hits.

Trivia

• Tara Strong, the actress who played Ben Tennyson, has reprised her role in the infamous 2016 reboot of the same name.
• As of September 3, 2023, Just like The Powerpuff Girls (1998), the series is now available on Netflix, albeit only the 3 seasons.
• This is the first Cartoon Network show to be produced into widescreen.

Videos

TBA

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