Toon Zone Talkback - "Ben 10: Alien Force" Vol. 4 is Familiar but Fun

[Ed Liu]

This is the talkback thread for "Ben 10: Alien Force" Vol. 4 is Familiar but Fun (http://news.toonzone.net/articles/31025/ben-10-alien-force-vol.-4-is-familiar-but-fun).

http://news.toonzone.net/images/2009-09/Ben10AFv4/splash-ben10af4.jpg

"Humongousaur" is my new favorite word.

[Duke]

Heh, and here "Humungasaur" is probably one of my least-liked new-alien names. Then again, I don't like the alien as a whole (though he's better than Swampfire).

[Neo Yi]

So I managed to watch about half the Ben 10: AF episodes via the marathon that CN was holding today. I admit I had been holding back on watching this series part because of the lack of cable at the time and part because I have little patience to sit through the original series (what with the two lead kids constantly squabbling and behaving in pure annoyance and the dialogue peppered with in cornball, hilariously dumb cliche one-liners).

This series from what I gathered is a significantly more tolerable and better series then the original. I don't know much about the supposed retcons or plotholes it created in-between this and Ben 10, so that doesn't affect me. The writing is much improved and Ben and Gwen are both likable, though the former, while mature, is pretty dull. The story seems to slowly pace its way to an overall arc, but the ones I've seen are plainly episodic in nature.

The slow continuity doesn't leave me too bored and it may be something I'll see my way through, but unlike The Secret Saturdays, it hasn't fully captivated me yet.

[Light Lucario]

That was a good review. I definitely agree that Alien Force has a mix of seriousness and light-hearted fun and it's generally like that throughout most of the series thus far. While I did see a good majority of Ben 10, I also thought that both Ben and Gwen were beyond annoying with how often they would fight. I can see where people would see Ben as being dull, but I would take dull and likable over what he was in the original series. I also like how Gwen plays a better role than simply back-up now with that she has a better handle with her powers. Kevin is my favorite character in the series and I'm looking foreword to what details we get about his past in season three.

I like the writing in Alien Force more than the original. At least Gwen and Kevin have gotten some decent focus and attention, while I thought that it was a rare case in the original series for the attention to focus on anyone but Ben in the main cast. I also like how there was a goal with defeating the Highbreed in the first two seasons of Alien Force, while in the original series, it was mostly fighting general evil. Though, to be fair, the series was just starting out back then.

I think that there are some better episodes in late season one and season two, but it's an overall enjoyable show for me.

[Neo Yi]

I can see where people would see Ben as being dull, but I would take dull and likable over what he was in the original series.

For the most part, I do vouch for that since Ben here has a likable personalty: mature, resourceful, and smart. But there's no doubt that his too passive self is often not as compelling. The reason why it works for Zak is because he combines it with a level of cockiness that works for his sneaky personality. It works for Mac because Bloo balances him out and actually brings his normal persona to the fold. It works on Danny because he character developed into it. Sure, it may sound all gimmicky, but it captivates in the end. For all the little quips Ben makes towards Kevin, it doesn't have the "oomph" that his admitting annoying younger self had.

Still, it's more a "better then nothing" deal.

At least Gwen and Kevin have gotten some decent focus and attention, while I thought that it was a rare case in the original series for the attention to focus on anyone but Ben in the main cast.

I will say this, the level of battle scenes the three get are surprisingly well-balanced. Each gets their own spotlight and pros and cons, so I give them a commendable applaud there.

[Mad Mod 49]

All I can say is that, with Season 3 approaching, Albedo (Ben's "evil twin") had better be returning. He was the most interesting villain to appear in the show thusfar (though Darkstar is the coolest.)


I have little patience to sit through the original series (what with the two lead kids constantly squabbling and behaving in pure annoyance and the dialogue peppered with in cornball, hilariously dumb cliche one-liners).


I hated those elements of the original series too, but the show wasn't bad because of them; IMO it was fun for the most part if one just ignored those annoyances (though I can see why that could be hard to do for some.)

[Neo Yi]

I hated those elements of the original series too, but the show wasn't bad because of them; IMO it was fun for the most part if one just ignored those annoyances (though I can see why that could be hard to do for some.)

I don't think the show is bad. I just don't have the attention span to sit through it as I would a series that doesn't irritate me.

Also, I forgot to mention this on my previous posts, but whoever thought of Dr. Paradox is a freakin' genius. That guy radiates awesome.

[Rolling Cloud]

I don't know much about the supposed retcons or plotholes it created in-between this and Ben 10, so that doesn't affect me.

I think the only big retcon was them saying that Gwen's powers came from some alien bloodline rather from magic books.

[Light Lucario]

For the most part, I do vouch for that since Ben here has a likable personalty: mature, resourceful, and smart. But there's no doubt that his too passive self is often not as compelling. The reason why it works for Zak is because he combines it with a level of cockiness that works for his sneaky personality. It works for Mac because Bloo balances him out and actually brings his normal persona to the fold. It works on Danny because he character developed into it. Sure, it may sound all gimmicky, but it captivates in the end. For all the little quips Ben makes towards Kevin, it doesn't have the "oomph" that his admitting annoying younger self had.

Still, it's more a "better then nothing" deal.

That's a good point. Compared to those other characters that you mentioned, Ben's more likable personality doesn't feel as good or drawn out as it could be. I agree with you that it's better than nothing since it wouldn't feel like Ben had grown at all if he was still like his ten year old self.

Also, I forgot to mention this on my previous posts, but whoever thought of Dr. Paradox is a freakin' genius. That guy radiates awesome.

I totally agree with that. Dr. Paradox has been the most interesting character, for me, that this series has introduced. It helps that I really like time traveling too, but he's awesome nonetheless.

I think the only big retcon was them saying that Gwen's powers came from some alien bloodline rather from magic books.

I always thought that was kind of weird, especially since the magic spells and books seemed to work fine in the first series. Hopefully, considering that Charmcaster comes back this season, that issue could be cleared up.

[veemonjosh]

Wait, I didn't know that WHV was releasing Alien Force in WIDESCREEN...O_O

My desire to buy this show when it hits boxset format just jumped up several notches.

[River26]

I'm all for the single 4th vol disc. But I'd rather wait for the set.