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So Why Does Everyone Hate Ben 10: Alien Force?

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Nikkolas from Texas Since: Dec, 2009 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
#1: Sep 15th 2010 at 1:37:02 AM

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

SabreJustice Since: Dec, 1969
#2: Sep 15th 2010 at 2:20:34 AM

People bitching about Character Derailment, Die for Our Ship, and the Filler it started out with, mostly.

ACDrawings YOSH! from MY PERSONAL REALITY Since: Jan, 2001
YOSH!
#3: Sep 15th 2010 at 5:18:01 AM

I liked it better than the previous Ben Ten because the characters didn't annoy me. Except Max who is awesome no matter what.

When All Else Fails, you have fun and flirt wit da ladies, dats da Drawings way!
SabreJustice Since: Dec, 1969
#4: Sep 15th 2010 at 6:39:15 AM

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.

Enlong Court Dragon from The Underground Facility Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: is commanded to— WANK!
Court Dragon
#5: Sep 15th 2010 at 6:45:37 AM

That, and some people are still ticked about Kevin's turn to good, which was never adequately explained.

I have a message from another time...
GethKnight Since: Apr, 2010
#6: Sep 15th 2010 at 6:48:18 AM

Not yet anyway. Maybe they'll get around to it.

Esteban009 Bitter Hateful Cynic from Practically Atlantis Since: Jan, 2010
Bitter Hateful Cynic
#7: Sep 15th 2010 at 10:42:16 AM

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.

Stranger goat milk? from Nowhere in particular Since: Nov, 2009
goat milk?
#8: Sep 15th 2010 at 12:14:55 PM

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.

Enlong Court Dragon from The Underground Facility Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: is commanded to— WANK!
Court Dragon
#9: Sep 15th 2010 at 1:51:33 PM

^^ 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...
KnownUnknown Since: Jan, 2001
#10: Sep 15th 2010 at 3:29:27 PM

I liked it better than the previous Ben Ten because the characters didn't annoy me. Except Max who is awesome no matter what.

This, exactly.

SabreJustice Since: Dec, 1969
#11: Sep 16th 2010 at 12:40:39 AM

^^ 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.

Anaheyla Since: Jan, 2001
#12: Sep 16th 2010 at 12:55:46 AM

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.
Sober-Irishman An Rí na Gnéaschiapadh from Hibernia Since: Feb, 2010
An Rí na Gnéaschiapadh
#13: Sep 16th 2010 at 9:34:23 AM

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. ~Voltaire
KnownUnknown Since: Jan, 2001
#14: Sep 16th 2010 at 9:59:54 AM

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!

In 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.

GabrielGloom Since: Dec, 1969
#16: Sep 16th 2010 at 5:37:58 PM

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

GethKnight Since: Apr, 2010
#17: Sep 16th 2010 at 5:43:17 PM

He didn't seem to like the hug.

KnownUnknown Since: Jan, 2001
#18: Sep 16th 2010 at 5:46:08 PM

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.

GethKnight Since: Apr, 2010
#19: Sep 16th 2010 at 5:48:01 PM

Also, all we ever saw of Vilgax was when he was on Earth. Getting his ass handed to him every single time but a 10 year old boy. That'd make anyone rethink how to acquire new territory.

GabrielGloom Since: Dec, 1969
#20: Sep 16th 2010 at 5:55:40 PM

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

KnownUnknown Since: Jan, 2001
#21: Sep 16th 2010 at 5:56:53 PM

^ Genghis Kahn was reportedly kind and benevolent ruler to his people close to home while brutal and destructive to those resisting his expansion. It's far from unheard of.

edited 16th Sep '10 5:57:18 PM by KnownUnknown

GethKnight Since: Apr, 2010
#22: Sep 16th 2010 at 5:58:17 PM

Vlad the Impaler is a Hero in Romania. To give another example.

GabrielGloom Since: Dec, 1969
#23: Sep 16th 2010 at 5:58:54 PM

Again, he was willing to let the entire frigging universe explode if it would let him gain vengeance on Ben. That was not a guy who cared about his people.

KnownUnknown Since: Jan, 2001
#24: Sep 16th 2010 at 6:01:52 PM

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

Nikkolas from Texas Since: Dec, 2009 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
#25: Sep 16th 2010 at 6:21:28 PM

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


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