Growing up While Saving the Galaxy

Read Time:7 Minute, 9 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Ben 10: The Complete Series
Ben 10 –
Ben 10: Alien Force –
Ben 10: Ultimate Alien –
Ben 10: Omniverse –

Genre: Animation, Action, Sci-Fi
Year Released: 2005–2014, DVD 2025
Runtime: 72h 20m
Creator(s): Man of Action (Duncan Rouleau, Joe Casey, Joe Kelly, Steven T. Seagle)
Writer(s): Man of Action, Dwayne McDuffie, Eugene Son, and others
Cast: Tara Strong, Yuri Lowenthal, Paul Eiding, Meagan Smith, Dee Bradley Baker, Greg Cipes, Kevin Michael Richardson, Ashley Johnson
Where to Watch: Available May 13, 2025. Pre-order your copy here: www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: It started with a kid, a peculiar device, and a haywire summer vacation. But what BEN 10 became over time was nothing short of a storytelling evolution—one that dared to grow up alongside its audience without losing its imagination, energy, or heart. Across four distinct series, the franchise transformed from monster-of-the-week antics into a sprawling universe of intergalactic politics, emotional stakes, and personal identity. Watching them all back-to-back is like witnessing a character age in real time, and the new Complete Series release offers that experience in full form.

BEN 10 (2005–2008): Where It All Began
The original series is the perfect pitch to young audiences: Benjamin Kirby "Ben" Tennyson finds a device that transforms him into ten aliens, each with unique abilities. But what made BEN 10 more than a novelty was its sense of fun, sincerity, and character dynamics. Ben is cocky, impulsive, and endlessly curious, but his journey is grounded by cousin Gwen’s intelligence and Grandpa Max’s steadying presence. Each episode brings new powers, enemies, and growing pains, and while it keeps a light tone, there's already the hint of deeper storytelling beneath the surface. It’s a show that wears its Cartoon Network DNA proudly—part action, part humor, always a bit chaotic—but it established the kind of serialized world that most kids' cartoons weren't attempting at the time.

That said, it’s very much a product of its era. Some alien designs feel more rooted in early-2000s aesthetic quirkiness than timeless creativity, and certain tropes haven’t aged quite as gracefully. But BEN 10 knew its audience, respected their intelligence, and built a strong foundation to carry the weight of what would come next.

BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE (2008–2010): A Tonal Shift
When the franchise pivoted into ALIEN FORCE, it made a choice most animated shows wouldn’t dare: it grew up. Ben’s no longer a kid—he’s a teenager grappling with the return of the Omnitrix, estranged friendships, and the burden of being Earth’s frontline defense. Gone are the summer road trips and episodic hijinks. In their place are serialized story arcs, darker themes, and a more mature aesthetic. It’s a bold shift in tone, and for many fans, ALIEN FORCE remains the pinnacle of the BEN 10 saga.

Kevin Levin’s reintroduction as a reluctant ally adds complexity to the team, while Gwen’s growing abilities help elevate her from sidekick to fully realized co-lead. The series also dives deeper into the mythos of the Omnitrix and its creator, crafting a larger sci-fi narrative that taps into space opera territory. The storytelling feels tighter, the emotional beats land harder, and the stakes are consistently raised. It’s not flawless—Ben occasionally veers into bland “teen leader” territory, and a few villains come off more generic than memorable—but the overall leap in narrative ambition is undeniable.

BEN 10: ULTIMATE ALIEN (2010–2012): Power and Consequence
ULTIMATE ALIEN continues the storyline immediately after ALIEN FORCE and focuses heavily on escalation: bigger threats, new transformations, and increased visibility for Ben, a known public figure. The introduction of the Ultimatrix gives him access to “ultimate” versions of his alien forms, a fun concept that lets the animators and writers explore enhanced versions of fan favorites. But along with that comes a new thematic core: what happens when power becomes too easy?

The series explores the downside of celebrity, the risk of arrogance, and the way personal responsibility grows heavier with public expectation. Ben starts to show cracks under pressure, becoming more short-tempered and self-righteous, which allows for some of the franchise’s most introspective moments. At times, though, ULTIMATE ALIEN struggles to stay tightly focused. The series deepens the lore, introduces fascinating alien species, and never shies away from the emotional complexity of growing up under a galactic spotlight. If ALIEN FORCE was about becoming a hero, ULTIMATE ALIEN asks what happens when you’re expected to stay one.

BEN 10: OMNIVERSE (2012–2014): A Wild Reboot Within Continuity
Perhaps the most divisive entry in the original continuity, OMNIVERSE dares to mix up everything: animation style, tone, even character progress. With a more cartoonish aesthetic and a narrative that jumps between younger Ben and his older teenage self, OMNIVERSE can initially feel like whiplash. But give it time, and it reveals itself as one of the boldest and most creative chapters of the BEN 10 universe.

This series thrives on unpredictability. Its villain roster is packed with new creations and revamped classics. It plays with multiverse theory, alternate timelines, and deep-cut alien lore. Rook Blonko, Ben’s new partner, brings a refreshing dynamic to the story—more reserved, methodical, and constantly baffled by Ben’s impulsiveness. The show’s humor is sharper, the action more frenetic, and the world-building more expansive than ever before.

It’s not without flaws. The stylistic overhaul understandably jarred longtime fans, and some arcs get tangled up in their own complexity. But OMNIVERSE leans fully into the chaos, embracing that BEN 10 has become a living, breathing sci-fi anthology.

Taken as a single narrative, BEN 10 evolves into something few franchises ever manage to achieve: a real-time coming-of-age saga disguised as a genre show. From childhood to the teenage years and ultimately legacy-building, the story of Ben Tennyson offers layers of meaning underneath the alien transformations and action sequences. It’s about figuring out who you are, deciding what kind of person you want to be, and making peace that growing up means facing your flaws head-on.

The character growth is unmistakable—Ben isn’t just a stronger hero by the end, he’s a more complicated one. His journey is marked by success and failure, triumph and trauma. The continuity holds surprisingly well across all four series, especially considering the scope and changes in tone. While the show was never perfect, it maintained a clear thematic throughline that anchored even its wildest detours.

What keeps BEN 10 relevant is its refusal to lean on a single gimmick. It pushed itself to evolve, even if it meant endangering part of its audience. That’s a level of ambition few franchises—animated or otherwise—can claim. Watching it all unfold reveals a narrative that's more than just “Hero Time.” It’s about growing up while still keeping the imagination alive.

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[photo courtesy of WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY HOME ENTERTAINMENT]

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