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Ben 10: Race Against Time
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Movie ups alien-battle series' violence level.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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What's the Story?
Based on the popular animated series Ben 10, BEN 10: RACE AGAINST TIME is a live-action, made-for-TV movie that continues the story of Ben Tennyson, an average tween whose life changed dramatically when he discovered a high-tech wristwatch called the Omnitrix that can transform him into various alien forms. The movie picks up as Ben (Graham Phillips) returns to his hometown of Bellwood after an eventful summer fighting aliens. With school looming on the horizon and his new-age parents even less in touch with him than before, Ben often finds himself longing for an alien invasion to give him an escape from the dull reality of his everyday life. It's not long before his fantasy comes true, when ruthless villain Eon (Christien Anholt) arrives on Earth to hunt down Ben and steal the Omnitrix to activate a doomsday machine and take over the planet. Only with the help of Gwen, his grandfather, and the town's secret group of alien fighters can Ben battle Eon and his minions and save the town from utter destruction.
Is It Any Good?
Young fans of the TV series will naturally gravitate toward this action-packed movie. But their parents should know that it ups the show's violence level (many battle scenes feature hand-to-hand fights, gun use, and super powers). Even kids who are unaffected by the series' cartoon battles could find the clashes here upsetting, since the live-action factor makes it more difficult to distinguish between fantasy and reality. And for really young kids, the very idea of aliens invading a town is nothing more than a nightmare waiting to happen.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes Ben a hero. Is it his ability to morph into aliens and fight off villains, or is it that he takes on challenges and asks for support when needed? Also, is fighting ever an appropriate response in a conflict? If so, when? What other responses are options? Families can also discuss how the media handle the possibility of alien life. How do fantasy and science-fiction movies and series like this one affect your opinion of extraterrestrial life? Do you believe in aliens? Why or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 22, 2007
- On DVD or streaming: April 7, 2008
- Cast: Graham Phillips , Haley Ramm , Lee Majors
- Director: Alex Winter
- Studio: Warner Home Video
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Adventures , Space and Aliens
- Run time: 67 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
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