Aaron Stone

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Teen gamer becomes real hero in tween-targeted action show.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this Disney XD series is about a teen video gamer who's tapped to fight a group of real criminals bent on world domination. Perhaps not surprisingly, then, gaming takes center stage in the series, with characters frequently talking about and/or playing the central game (sometimes instead of interacting with each other in person). So expect plenty of action (though not much in the way of injuries or blood), both in the game and out of it. There's also some innocent high school flirting, but no swearing or drinking/smoking. Charlie is motivated to save the world partly by the fact that it will help his struggling single mom and younger brother.

  • The show includes positive take-aways about responsibility, duty, and family relationships, but it also glamorizes and promotes video gaming.
  • Charlie feels pressured to help save the world as Aaron Stone -- in
    part because he thinks it will help his struggling single mom. He sometimes chooses to avoid
    socializing with real people in favor of interacting with his virtual
    friends in the online game. But the virtual world eventually crosses
    over into the real one, and Charlie/Aaron is called upon to become a
    real hero.
  • Plenty of heroic action -- including martial arts combat and some weapons -- but injuries and actual blood are rare. The Hero Rising game also features plenty of combat, but again, no actual gore.
  • Some mild flirting among teens.
  • "Kick butt" is about as strong as it gets.
  • An important part of the show is a fictional video game called Hero Rising (which Disney is creating as a real-life game as well), and the series heavily promotes gaming.

What's the story?

Charlie Lambert (Kelly Blatz) is living a double life. By day, he's an average high school student -- but after school, he dives into his favorite video game, Hero Rising. There he becomes AARON STONE, the top player in a virtual world that's threatened by the evil Omega Defiance. Charlie is stunned to learn that the game is based on an actual conspiracy and that a mysterious corporation wants him to use his gaming talents to take on the real Omega Defiance and save the world. Charlie is soon zipping around the world with his android handler/sidekick Stan (J.P. Manoux), grappling with evil thugs, and rushing to get back home in time for class.


Is it any good?

 

This lightweight teen action series plays on our secret desire to be special. Charlie is plucked from obscurity, told he's unique, and then sent out to save the world. It's a common fantasy, especially for young people, though the focus on video games gives the show a 21st-century twist. Unlike, say, the Harry Potter series, or even the comedic Princess Diaries, in which the main characters are born with a hidden destiny, the star of Aaron Stone is an ordinary kid whose video game habit has transformed him into a hero.

Despite a fairly thin plot, so-so action sequences, and a far-fetched concept, Aaron Stone will likely appeal to other ordinary kids, especially those who enjoy video games and harbor fantasies of greatness. While not everyone can be born with magical powers, anyone can play a game.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about gaming. Is it possible to be addicted to games? Do you think it's healthy to avoid real people in favor of interacting with virtual characters?

  • Do you think becoming Aaron Stone will help Charlie become more adept
    at socializing in the real world?

  • Can video game skills translate to
    actual fighting skills?


This review was written by Will Wade
Adult
August 26, 2010
 
Most violent Disney show ever
Definitely, Disney's most mature action series. They really let their characters get hurt now, unlike Power Rangers. At one point, an enemy soldier is trying to PUSH AARON INTO A HELICOPTER PROPELLER. Gee, if that's not considered violent, I don't know what is. That's why I love it. A Disney DRAMA?! Definitely.

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 12 years old
December 1, 2009
 
Aaron Stone. Nice show, full action and suspense.
Aaron Stone is a pretty cool show. There is definitely violence, kicking, punching, throwing stuff, and blasting ppl and objects with a gauntlet. The boys sometimes flirt with girls, but not really that bad. The show, however, really highlights video gaming and makes ppl wanna play "Hero Rising", which i heard is going to be a real game soon (that is sorta cool) and it will probably make ppl want to buy the game. The messages about justice and honor are good, and Aaron (known to most ppl as Charlie) fights for good and never for personal gain. Well bye now.

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Kid, 10 years old
October 18, 2010
 
Aaron Stone
Some Scary Moments.Show Ended Too Fast.Aaron Is Good.They Made This A Little Intense For Young Disney XD Fans.Good For Ages 9+

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Kid, 11 years old
May 5, 2010
 
I have nothing against it but, there is way too much violence.

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Parent of 12 year old
February 16, 2010
 
This show has some positive messages. Fun to watch

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Kid, 11 years old
November 6, 2009
 
good messages and a whole lotta' action
The show looks like one of those shows with suckish effects, but the effects are actully pretty good compared to power rangers. The violence is limited to some kicking and punch and the messages are very good so overall is all right for older kids

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Teen, 14 years old
March 3, 2011
 
A Power Rangers Knock-off.
If you ask me, it's only a bit better than "Power Rangers" even though it's a knock-off of it. Nothing can be worse than "Power Rangers". Now, on to the review. I was somewhat interested in the show back in February of 2009, but once I saw it, I felt that there was absolutely no sense of story or plot to it. It's just a teen playing a video game in real life just because he's the best at the game. So this basically includes the essence of Tron. But Tron is WAY better than this. The acting and the fighting is kind of cheesy and I wouldn't exactly be impressed by it. My advice, if you're looking for a show with a little action, fine, but if you're looking for something that actually has some story to it, I suggest you pass this one by.

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Educator and Parent of 5 and 8 year old
January 19, 2011
 
Exciting with some good messages, but violent
I wish there were more kids' shows without violence, but given that it's in almost every show my eight year old would consider to have enough excitement, this is a pretty good choice. The heroes face dilemmas that make for good conversations. The heroes sometimes have to lie to keep their cover. Good always wins over evil, and some of the bad guys have redeeming features. It's less mind numbing for adults than many choices for this age group, and I enjoy the pleasure my son gets from it.

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Teen, 16 years old
February 20, 2009
 
the best movie ever
it was great

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This review was written by Will Wade
Topics:adventures, high school
TV rating:TV-Y7-FV
Network:Disney XD
Cast:J.P. Manoux, Kelly Blatz, Tania Gunadi
Genre:Science Fiction

This review was written by Will Wade
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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