 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Hot Wheels: Battle Force 5
- Cartoon Network
- Genre: Kids' Animation
Common Sense Media says
Lots of action but no injuries in toy-based cartoon.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this animated series inspired by Hot Wheels toys has plenty of high-speed automotive action and cartoon violence. The Battle Force 5 team's ultra-high-tech cars have computerized weapons systems -- which come in handy when they visit other dimensions to do battle with aliens. Expect plenty of racing scenes and car-to-car combat, as well as standard fistfights and other forms of cartoon clashes -- but no blood or injuries. There’s some mild trash-talking, but no swearing. And because the series stems from a line of toys, expect young fans to clamor for merchandise tie-ins.
What's the story?
Racing across the salt flats, expert driver Vert Wheeler (voiced by Mark Hildreth) comes upon a mysterious storm that transports him to another dimension, where he rescues the powerful Sage (Kira Tozer) from a band of dangerous aliens. Sage explains that the violent creatures are trying to conquer the universe and have set their sights on Earth. Once she helps Wheeler return home, Sage transforms his car into an ultra-high-tech wonder complete with computers, sensors, and weapons. After recruiting the rest of the Battle Force 5 team, Sage gives them all incredible vehicles -- and the dangerous task of protecting the planet from the inter-dimensional invaders.
Is it any good?
For a series based on a line of toys, HOT WHEELS: BATTLE FORCE 5 does a decent job of coming up with an actual story unrelated to the original products. Sure, the inter-dimensional conflict is pretty unbelievable, but so are most animated series aimed at young kids, and the plot offers plenty of potential for high-stakes auto action with no actual violence or danger. The team teleports through the portal, accomplishes the mission du jour, and then zaps back home in time for a round of burgers at the local malt shop.
The show also deserves some credit for promoting teamwork and cooperation. The Battle Force 5 team is comprised of five cars and six drivers (one has a two-man crew), all with their own specialties and abilities. Yes, that will make it easier to market five different car products, but the storylines also take pains to show how the group must work together to defeat the villains. The show doesn’t really stand apart from some Saturday morning cartoon classics, but it doesn’t sink to the bottom of the pile, either.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the show's violence. Does it have less impact because it's animated? Can you think of other ways the characters could solve their problems?
Why do you think networks make shows based on toys? Do you think some toys are better suited to TV shows than others?
Will this show appeal to people who don’t like Hot Wheels cars? Does watching this show make you want to get the toys?
What do you think about Wheeler’s driving habits? Is he a good driver? Is he a safe driver? Do
you think it’s OK for him to drive so fast?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Excellent Show
To address most concerns regarding the appropriateness of the show: It's extremely mild. While there are combat scenes, it's mostly done behind the wheel, using advanced car-weapon systems, and as expected of a kids show, the main villains always come back.
The "Mild Trash Talking" is comparable to 1st grade Recess, the "violence" is PG at worst, and there is little Consumerism pushed on the audience (Your child may want a new Hot Wheels toy car. They're what, a couple of dollars? Parents are lucky it's not some new Star Wars, with kids asking for lifesized R2D2's and a closet full of Lucasarts Halloween Costumes.)
This show deserves Awards for it's Reproduction Value, network recognition for it's ambitious storyline, and a chance to earn your viewership for the positive values BF5 instills.
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AGE
Too violent for my Little Man
If I had known how violent it was, I would never have gotten it from Netflix for my four-year-old. He received a couple of Battle Force 5 toys in McDonalds Hapy Meals, and has been wanting to see the show. One episode in particular, "My Man Zug," shows an alien robot tearing other alien robots' heads off and drilling through their torsos with his drill-bit hand. My son chooses not to watch one or two of the episodes because, he says, "All they do is lots of fighting." Had I watched it by myself the first time instead of with him, I would have waited until he was a few years older.
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AGE
A robot is thrown (in his car) off a cliff while he is seemingly very self-aware. He is screaming. The so-called "mild trash talking" is too much. This is part of the problems with a lot of the kids these days. They watch these kinds of shows that fill up the networks and think it's okay to talk like that in real life. They bring this "attitude" to their peers, parents and school. This seems to happen at a very young age. There is no positive message in this show. It teaches kids to use violence to solve their problems. Kids need a show for 7 and up. I don't know of any except Arthur that teaches kids good lessons about what their experiencing at their age. They need more for kids who have outgrown The Little Einsteins but don't need to see the violent cartoons with little or no messages.
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AGE
Matel Hotweels Show has mild Violence.
This Show base on toy company Hotweels isn't That great. Has some Mild Violence and a bit of product placement.
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AGE
Cold Wheels: Battle Force 2 Stars
Just like Beyblade, this show went down the toilet from the moment the pilot aired. Just like Beyblade, this show is IRRELEVANT. This show is just another way for the Hot Wheels company to sell more of their toys. It's just another cartoon to watch while you're bored, and I highly recommend that when you're bored, you do something other than watch TV. Just stay away from this show.
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AGE
Bad Luck Hotwheels
I think it just a waste my time case i already hate this show a bit to much and another hot wheels used to have good movies in I think around the year 2002 with Highway 35 World Race and I think in next 3 or 4 years they have the Aceelaracers.And now this god.Can Cartoonnetwork be this stupid.Also why and/or what happen to all the dark confusing and cool mystery's in the Aceelaracers movie.Also these changes are good but sometimes being to dame annoying.I like the old vert wheeler better. The plot is cool but the thing is you have to ride a tornado to different worlds. >:-( So I'm gonna give it a 2/10
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| Topics: | cars and trucks, magic and fantasy, adventures, space and aliens |
| TV rating: | TV-Y |
| Network: | Cartoon Network |
| Cast: | Kira Tozer, Mark Hildreth, Michael Dobson |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |
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