Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Thoughtful sci-fi cartoon with monsters is best for tweens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Based on 32 kid reviews
Kids say the show is a thrilling experience filled with action, well-crafted characters, and an engaging story that keeps viewers eager for more. Many appreciate its balance between adventure and deeper themes, though some note it may be intense for younger children due to its darker elements and the presence of scary creatures.
- engaging plot
- character depth
- appropriate for tweens
- intense action
- scary elements
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In GENERATOR REX, a recent global accident caused Earth to be infected by microscopic machines called nanites, which link with humans' DNA and can turn their hosts into dangerous monsters. Rex (voiced by Daryl Sabara) was no exception, but inexplicably this remarkable 15-year-old amnesiac is able to control his nanites and transform his body at will, making him the secret weapon in the Providence agency's battle against the mutant creatures, called Exponentially Variegated Organisms, or E.V.O.s for short. Together with his Providence team – Dr. Holiday (Grey DeLisle), Agent Six (Wally Kurth), and his chimpanzee friend, Bobo Haha (John DiMaggio) – and "regular" pal, Noah (Fred Savage), Rex must stare down evil in all forms while he searches for the truth to his past.
Is It Any Good?
If your tweens (especially boys) think they're too old for cartoons, this enjoyable showis up to the challenge of changing their minds. Generator Rex is full of adventure in an ongoing battle of good vs. evil, and the subplot surrounding Rex's questions about his past is a dangling-carrot mystery that will retain the interest of this more mature audience. True, much of the cartoon is doused in violent exchanges between Rex and a host of mutants, but even here the show's thoughtfulness is apparent, as rather than killing the monsters, Rex uses his powers to restore their humanity.
This content is all well and good for the tween set, but it's the very stuff that makes this an iffy choice for younger kids. An ever-changing cast of monsters, recurring villains with truly evil intentions, inner struggles with emotion, and an uncertain self-image may raise more questions than answers for youngsters, so better save this one until the littlest ones have gone to bed.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about responsibility. Can you relate to Rex's frustration over having responsibility thrust upon him? How does he cope with the pressure in Generator Rex? What responsibilities weigh heaviest on you? What coping techniques do you use to manage?
Parents and tweens can talk about violence on TV. Tweens: What did you think about the violence in this show? Would you say there was too much of it, or was it OK? Did you find it realistic? Do you think it was intended to be realistic? What standards do you think should exist for violence on TV?
Tweens: How would you define "self-image?" How is your self-image influenced by people around you? Do you fall victim to the media's messages about who you should be? If so, which ones affect you most? Why is it sometimes difficult to have a strong self-image?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 23, 2010
- Cast : Daryl Sabara , Grey DeLisle , Wally Kurth
- Network : Cartoon Network
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- TV rating :
- Last updated : December 8, 2025
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