People bitching about Character Derailment, Die for Our Ship, and the Filler it started out with, mostly.
Alien Force is pretty clearly designed for the Teen Titans and Avatar crowd (trust me, Teen Titans brought in plenty of people who'd never read a comic in their life) while regular Ben Ten really is a bit more of a typical Merchandise-Driven kids' show. The gap might be a bit much for some.
I don't hate it, I just wished they kept a bit closer to the original.
- the artwork seemed a bit more streamlined in the original. Alien Force has an angular thing going on, and it's just different enough to be noticable. The original seemed to be a bit classier.
- Gwen is now an alien, but we still get Charmcaster and the other magic users, they tend to not quite stick to what Gwen is supposed to be and able to do.
- Kevin isn't the same character as the one from the original. Kevin is a completely different character with a completely new powerset. But by calling him Kevin, and mentioning he really IS the Kevin of the original show, they keep pointing out that really he isn't.
I liked Alien Force better, but then, I never thought much of the original. It wasn't bad, but there was nothing about it that I really found interesting. Plus, Ben and Gwen were kind of annoying. So needless to say, I was not attached to, nor even very familiar with the original canon, thus the changes didn't bother me.
I'm not sure what exactly made Alien Force better for me, but it most definately started with the fact that I found the protagonists much more likeable.
^^ Well see, Gwen is an alien and has powers that draw from the same source as magic (and indeed, she's basically made of magic), but her raw manipulation of mana as an Anodite is separate from, if similar to, her magic spells. It takes her a little while to understand the distinction.
I have a message from another time...^^ Keyword: the writers tried to write out magic then realised they'd have to Retcon not only Gwen but half the Rogues Gallery, so they backpedalled.
I don't know about the rest of you, but Kevin was more interesting when he was Kevin 11, destined to become Kevin 11000.
Alien Force shows up and suprise! Kevin is out of the Null Void(I think that's what it was called), completely normal and with the ability to turn into anything he touches. Which is lame. Energy manipulation was a way cooler power. And his personality did a complet 180. Went from total psycho to Generic Tough Guy Whose Really Sweet On The Inside.
And his voice makes me want to go on a killing spree. I hate his voice.
This is still a signature.Well, they fucked Kevin up something fierce. If you're going to turn a bad guy into a hero and completely change his personality, please do it on screen.
And don't get me started on Vilgax. Oh, Vilgax, what did they do to you? You used to be so awesome! Now you're...you're...well, you're not.
It's not really a case of "What's bad about the show?" The writing is still very obviously intended for children (the best kid's shows are the ones that can still entertain adults), the jokes aren't funny, and now not even the villains are cool!
It's more of a case of "What's good about the show?"
The answer obviously being the Highbreed and Max.
edited 16th Sep '10 9:37:49 AM by Sober-Irishman
We have a natural right to make use of our pens as of our tongue, at our peril, risk and hazard. ~VoltaireIn my opinion, that kind of describes the first show instead, with the exception of the villains bit - irritating as Ben and Gwen were at times, the shows villains were all great.
And yeah, reformed Kevin isn't really the problem. He's pretty interesting as a good guy, but they really needed to show his turn - redemption stories are only effective if you show what happened fully.
Vilgax. He went from Cross Me And I'll Beat You To Death With Your Own Arm
◊ to Aaaaw He's Just A Big Teddy Bear When You Get To Know Him
◊.
Seriously, this show has a thing about taking villains and extracting their villainous qualities with rusty tweezers. Kevin went from an Ax-Crazy Psycho for Hire to a Troubled, but Cute Loveable Rogue, Vilgax went from an Omnicidal Maniac Complete Monster to a Lawful Evil Noble Demon.
edited 16th Sep '10 5:41:39 PM by GabrielGloom
It actually kind of reminded of more favorable depictions of Dr. Doom, really. Or any other Evil Overlord who is actually loved by the people of his nation.
He was fine with the hug, dammit. He went from a vicious intergalactic brute, willing to destroy planets for fairly petty reasons, and was so desperate to kill Ben that he didn't care if the entire universe (including himself and his home planet) was destroyed in the process, to a beloved and benevolent ruler, who is willing to ally with Ben if needs be, and follows intergalactic law. Oh, and his true form is a ridiculous giant squid. Yeeeaaah, I'm callin' Character Derailment.
edited 16th Sep '10 6:00:59 PM by GabrielGloom
Sounds more like he's the kind of guy willing to be benevolent and caring to his people when it was convenient but was willing to abandon them when it meant he would get ultimate power.
Being willing to sacrifice people to get what you want is not the same as deliberately being a monster to them even though they swear undying loyalty to you. In fact, doing the latter would be clinging pretty hard to the Villain Ball.
edited 16th Sep '10 6:06:23 PM by KnownUnknown
I've watched two episodes of the original Ben 10 so far and already I hate Ben more than I hated anything in AF.
Who's bright idea was it to make a show based around th epitome of snot-nosed little brats?
I want to punch him in the face until he turns into his AF incarnation. Or dies.
edited 16th Sep '10 6:22:05 PM by Nikkolas

I never watched much of the original Ben 10. I saw a few eps here and there It seemed like any other cartoon show. But yeah I saw a lot more of AF than I did the original show.
But apparently it was the greatest thing ever and AF is just an unworthy successor. Is there some huge dip in storyline quality or whatever?
All I know is, from what I've seen, AF definitely wins in the voice-acting department. Yuri Lowenthal of course is win and I really like whoever does Gwen's voice.
edited 15th Sep '10 1:37:57 AM by Nikkolas