Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Boy hero grows up, but still fighting aliens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
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Ben 10: Alien Force
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 24 kid reviews
Kids say that this show serves as a mature sequel to the original series, featuring darker themes and more complex character dynamics, particularly the relationships between Ben, Gwen, and Kevin. While some express strong dislike for its changes and tone, many appreciate the character development and action, indicating it may not be suitable for the youngest viewers despite its appeal to tweens.
- mature themes
- character development
- action-packed
- mixed reviews
- audience suitability
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Five years after he defeated his nemesis and took off the Omnitrix that gave him shape-morphing powers, alien conqueror Ben Tennyson (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal) is happy to be living a normal life. But when he finds out that his grandfather is missing, Ben -- now 15 -- and his level-headed cousin, Gwen (Ashley Johnson), are drawn back into the battle of the life forms. Joined by former enemy Kevin Levin (Gregory Cipes), and supported by 10 new alien forms courtesy of the Omnitrix, Ben faces his most difficult challenges yet: finding his grandfather and saving the galaxy from aliens who aim to destroy it.
Is It Any Good?
Packed with action, adventure, and alien transformations, BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE beckons to science fiction-loving tweens, particularly boys. The combination of an ever-changing cast of colorful villains and the underlying mystery of Ben's grandfather's disappearance is sure to keep viewers guessing -- and coming back for more.
If your tweens have followed Ben's previous adventures, they're likely to notice that he's grown up quite a bit for this series. At 15, he's more reflective and thoughtful than before, which allows him to team up with a former enemy for the greater good. He's also determined to take the lead in battling the aliens -- not for glory, but because his grandfather is depending on him. At the same time, he's often reminded that there's no substitute for teamwork. All of this offers some worthwhile lessons for the tween boys that the show aims to entertain. But be smart about letting kids tune in, since the show does feature a lot of violence (which occasionally results in death), and some of the aliens and monsters may scare little ones.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how heroes are portrayed in the media. What makes Ben a hero? Does being heroic mean never showing fear?
What role does violence play in heroes' triumph over evil? Is fighting the only answer, or are there more constructive ways to solve problems?
How is Ben different now that he's older?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 18, 2008
- Cast : Ashley Johnson , Greg Cipes , Yuri Lowenthal
- Network : Cartoon Network
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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