Ben 10: Ultimate Alien
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Darker and still violent, this Ben 10 not for the sensitive.
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Based on 10 parent reviews
Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Age 18+
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One of the best!
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What's the Story?
BEN 10: ULTIMATE ALIEN picks up where Alien Force left off, with now-16-year-old Ben Tennyson (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal) still taking on a host of alien intruders to Earth. His enemies have gotten stronger and more elusive, but Ben's acquired a revamped Omnitrix called an "Ultimatrix," which puts more variety and power at his fingertips. With his friends Gwen (Ashley Johnson) and Kevin (Greg Cipes) at his side, Ben also faces the daunting task of handling his newfound fame after his long-kept identity is revealed.
Is It Any Good?
Kids who have followed Ben's journey from the original show won't notice many changes besides his age in this latest incarnation of the series. He's still a morphing master, now drawing on an even more extensive wealth of alien forms and honed skills to wage war against the imposing creatures. In addition he sports slick new rides for both road and air travel, which is sure to impress gadget-loving tween boys.
That said, this grown-up Ben has more on his plate than just blasting aliens now that the whole world knows who he is, and it makes for some uncomfortable times when his efforts to help people are misinterpreted as menacing and dangerous. There's a noticeable change in his demeanor, which is more brooding and reflective than jovial, and by association, the show seems slightly darker than in the past. Then, of course, there's the frequent battles between the good guys and the bad, which might frighten kids and sends iffy messages about nonviolent methods of resolving conflict.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about fantasy. What is fantasy? What aspects of this show are rooted in fantasy? How much of it is realistic? Is fantasy appropriate for everyone? How can you tell the difference? Do you like shows that have a lot of fantasy? Why or why not?
Tweens: Do you believe in the existence of aliens? What evidence exists to support the theory that they exist? Do you think we'll ever know for sure if they do?
What did you think of the violence portrayed in this show? Was there too much violence? How does it compare to other cartoons you've seen? Is violence more upsetting when it's in a live-action show than in a cartoon? Why or why not?
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 23, 2010
- Cast: Ashley Johnson , Greg Cipes , Yuri Lowenthal
- Network: Cartoon Network
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Adventures , Space and Aliens
- TV rating: TV-Y7-FV
- Last updated: June 3, 2023
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