Ben 10 (New Series)

So I finally got around to watching a few episodes of this show.

I may be treading on dangerous waters but... I like it. Does a better job at this sort of thing than TTG does. If the rest of the franchise reminds me of a comic universe, this show reminds me of Marvel Adventures.

edited 7th Jan '17 7:13:04 PM by KnownUnknown

Eh, I don't feel any animosity toward the show, just indifference. So I'm fine if you like it; in fact, I am glad for you if you do like it; clearly it's more you thing than mine.

I'll give you that, from what I saw, it's nowhere near as insulting and obnoxious as Teen Titans Go.

Rewatching Alien Force for the first time in several years, it's striking how good the first two seasons were. A lot of the things people criticized it for at the time are not nearly as detrimental or poorly written as claimed, especially in light of Omniverse's obnoxious decisions. In hindsight, trying to bring Ben back to a goofy kid was the mistake, not giving him actual Character Development, a more expressive voice actor that fit him better imho, and making the verse more consistent. It's a shame everything that came after wouldn't take AF as the example to strive for.

Also this was really the first time CN delved into an arc-based series, it was the Danny Phantom of its network.

I know, right? It's sad how much bashing AF got, looking back.

Like there's a scene that's particularly striking. When the bullies from the first series go and spill some smoothie on him, Ben doesn't take up his watch or even get mad, he just calmly gets up and says: "You know what? You two aren't even worth it. It's ridiculous. Could you at least try being original, for a change? You've been doing the same old bully routine since the second grade, Cash. It's tired. Spilling my drink — seriously? I can't believe I used to be afraid of you. Look around, Cash. We've all grown up. But you're still the same pathetic loser who has to torment others just to feel good about himself. You're just sad."

Alien Force sounds like something you need to binge watch to appreciate.

Though I still think the retcon where Gwen's magic was just an alien power she inherited from grandma was kind of dumb.

edited 24th Jan '17 6:46:11 PM by Karxrida

And then the whole bus clapped. Seriously thought, this one of first moments that made me convinced this series is really on to something (I especially recall first three episodes lacking any great moments). It probably helps that it actually made series feel connected to the first cartoon, since common criticism was that AF barely had anything to do first Ben 10.

I didn't even know AF was mocked at the time. Though this was before I went to the internet and gave a damn what other people thought.

The only criticism I have for it in retrospect is the Highbreed story arc falling out of focus. The criticism I expect to see is from people who think it got "too edgy" because the color palette got darker and that makes them uncomfortable.

edited 25th Jan '17 10:51:14 AM by Soble

Admitedly, it was so dark it was hard to make out what's going on from time to time.Later seasons really dialed that down. I think main complains were worse aliens, Kevin's unexplained change, his forced romance with Gwen and this whole "collect Plumber kids" not really going anywhere. To lesser extent, some complained that Ben was bland (and boy, did those complains end up biting us in the backside!) and some other changes were stupid (e.g. Gwen being alien) or unexplained/nonsensical (e.g. Plumbers being space organization)

To be honest, I never really got Plumber Kids subplot. Imagine if mafia showed up on your streets, so you would have to go find sons and daughters of actual law-enforcers to help you deal with them.

I liked alien force the most out of the ben 10 franchise and this is coming from someone who isn't a big fan of works trying to be darker. omiverse as well....to a lesser extent.

Few new episodes have came out somewhere, in some countries. I haven't seen them (thought some clips on CN Youtube page are even 5 minutes long, so I could probably just patchwork them together),

Anyway, 2 old characters have been confirmed: Mike Morningstar who is now movie star and Frightwig who is now solo villain. Also, both are the same age as Ben.

How old was Morningstar in Alien Force, again?

17. Year older then Kevin, just as Kevin was evil kid year older then Ben.

edited 20th Feb '17 3:30:21 PM by Sunchet

... Not impressed. But whatever, at this point I don't really care anymore.

Another thing about Michael Morningstar, for those who don't know, is that instead of just outright absorbing people's energy like in the previous shows, he can only absorb other people's energy if they admire him. Also, apparently, Frightwig's hair has a mind of its own for some reason.

Also, the New York Toy Fair 2017 had a panel showcasing the Ben 10 reboot toy line. Near the end, toy figures of Vilgax and Kraab were shown. Apparently, Kraab is one of Vilgax's henchmen now instead of him being a bounty hunter like in the previous shows. According to the guy that was showcasing the toys, Vilgax and Kraab will be introduced at the end of season 1.

I'm glad that Vilgax will be in the reboot but at the same time, considering how they pretty much screwed up most or all of the other villains in the reboot, I have a feeling they're going to screw up Vilgax as well.

edited 21st Feb '17 11:14:25 PM by TacticalOchoa

Oh, interesting. Any chance there are photos of toys?

This reboot is a little weird... a bit too comedy-oriented, and as for an Episode Title Card... that's new, previously they never did this stuff.

It feels like an attempt at trying to be Dexter's Laboratory only not quite as funny.

I wish they'd bring back some of his other aliens, such as Atomix, Bloxx or Jury Rigg... they weren't used as often as other ones, but how would you fit them into the reboot (assuming you could Put on a Bus some of the other 10).

This is the video that covers the Ben 10 reboot toy line, if that's alright to post on here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e9oIKNzbyk

I'll be frank, I am NOT missing Atomix and Bloxx. Both were way too silly and toy-oriented, not to mentioned overpowered and boring in the case of Atomix.

Arctiguana, on the other hand.... he might have been good in the new Ben 10, and as for Clockwork, perhaps a bit too Story-Breaker Power-ish ?

Articguana and Clockwork are both good, though yeah, the latter might need a clear limit to his abilities.

I kinda liked Bloxx, myself.

Though I admit I'm a fan of LEGO.

Well my problem with Bloxx is that he broke my suspension of disbelief. Aliens like Clockworks or Upgrade who were clearly mechanical life forms were already stretching it, but to a limited extent I could buy it. But to believe an alien life form just HAPPENS to evolve to ressemble a famous brand of toys on Earth? I am sorry, but no, that's silly even for a setting with aliens and magic. Had he been made of corals or something like this, I would have bought it, but this I couldn't.

Or the toy was made to resemble the alien.

But Megawhatt looking like battery was OK?