A Critique of Ben 10: Omniverse

So last week a friend of mine asked me if I've been watching the newest Season / Chapter of the Ben 10 Animaited Series. "Ben 10: Omniverse" I told him "Of course I am!" I've been watching Ben 10 since it's inception and have been watching it religiously. I wasn't too fond of it in the beginning except for the fact he could turn into my favorite Alien they had created at the time. "Humongasaur!

As episodes passed the story got really good and as seasons passed we got the progression of Ben and his friends growing up. Something you don't see very much of in cartoons these days. Cartoon characters don't usually just grow up. I got really into Ben 10: "Alien Force" and then of course "Ultimate Alien". It was just getting better and better. Each of the next chapters got a bit more serious, the animation style changed to a more mature way of making the characters appear like young adults, and Ben was acting older himself.

New Ben looks different, and not in a good way

Which brings us now to Omniverse. I was excited to see it, but was then shocked at the animation style. I was like, "wait what's going on?" And it showed Ben young again, I was like 'Oh it's just a flashback." Flash forward and the animation style hadn't changed. Ben was the same age but appeared younger looking like his child counterpart, everything was super confusing. I was thinking "why did they go back to the old style? I'm so confused!"

This is the new Kevin? "Are you serious?" 

The new styles of Gwen and Kevin were horrible looking, I liked it better when they looked like real college age kids. Now Kevin looks like a high school Punk and Gwen a book nerd. They even went as far as to change her look yet again mid way through the season to make her look even younger and nerdier. I just didn't get it.

The new Omitrix is a lot like the old one, it even looks less impressive on looks alone. It looks like a regular digital watch. The new aliens although cool looking are far from impressive and some are just modified abilities of other pre existing aliens. Not to mention some of the new animation styles of aliens past are not good. The aliens can't evolve either. I was most disappointed with the new look of "spider monkey". They were ruining everything I grew to love. Why would you abruptly change back to your old ways if fans love the changes you already made?

Not to mention, now that Ben was going to be on his own in this one, he was more immature than ever and dressing it too. No more Ben 10 jacket, back to the t-shirt and yes, as if he wasn't trendy enough he has a hoodie now lol.

Also, they introduce Rook as his new partner. A grad of the plumber academy and an alien as well. I thought "oh no, not a new character, what else could go wrong?" He's essentially Ben's babysitting and taking up most of what was Grandpa Max's screen time or the time Kevin and Gwen were with them. Writing them out of 99 percent of the season was a bad idea. They were just beginning to solidify as a team.

Apparently this is what college does to young girls

Speaking of changes, did you know Gwen has an alternate form now like her grandma? When did she learn that in college? Would have appreciated a bit of back story on that one.

Anyway, back on topic about Rook. As much as I disliked him at first he's really grown on me and probably become my favorite character, probably because all other characters have suffered so much through all these back peddling changes.

Rook has a truck that turns into a ship. Which reminds me, I miss "Ship" the little dog like alien that could turn into anything.  Rook also has a weapon that can turn into just about anything he needs at the present moment. It's the swiss army knife of weapons. I want one!

Despite all of Omniverse's poor changes, Rook is a win!

Also, the great thing about Rook is the humor that he unintentionally delivers. He doesn't grasp earth sayings and therefore will often respond in some hilarious way or mispronounce what he is supposed to say in the situation.

I was told this is the final evolution of Ben 10 but I'm sure if they wanted to, they could take it a step further, especially because they've gone backwards so much this time around.

I'm seriously hoping there is a point to the back peddling, maybe Ben gets turned back into a kid or something? Does he get sent back in time? Your guess is as good as mine.

Anyway, I have to say story wise, with the exception of Rook, this evolution of Ben is a de-evolution and I don't like it very much. But I keep watching to see what Rook will do next, if any twists pop up in story or anything story wise in general that might be vital to know shows up.

So that's my breakdown of Ben 10: Omiverse. What do you think of the show? Leave a comment or Tweet Me :)

Until next time, this has been a Geek Critique.

-Paul

Transformers 4 Announced!

Image by ComingSoon.net

First off, let me apologize for not posting last week to those of you who read my blog weekly. But Thanksgiving plans sort of got in the way of all that. But as you can see I didn't stray for very long, here I am. I'm Back! Now on to this week's topic.

Another Transformers Movie has been announced. Not only that, but due to some awesome Geek reporting by my long time friend and fellow geek Silas Lesnick at ComingSoon.net a poster has been revealed. Not only that but an addition to the cast has been announced as well.

It's rumored Mark Whalberg will be joining the Transformers cast. Now whether this means he's the new lead and Shia is stepping down or not has yet to be determined. A lot of fans seem to be excited over this though and are starting to jump the gun already saying he's going to be amazing.
I wouldn't hold my breath on this. Whalberg is indeed an amazing award winning actor but there are many factors to consider.

1.) Adding new people means writers might be running out of ideas here. In my opinion it kind of disrupts the flow because we've had the same people for the last three movies and we've been used to that. Even when Shia had this new love interest to me it just didn't seem the same in the third movie.

2.) wasn't 3 supposed to be the last one? I could have sworn Michael Bay was calling it quits on the Transformers franchise to start concentrating on wrecking another child love of mine. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Oh excuse me...ALIEN turtles. Bay even went on record to say he HATED the transformers. Blasphemy!

3.) What's left? Megatron has been the main threat in all three movies, he's been stopped all three times. What's left? According to the above poster he looks to be the main threat again. What's going to be different this time? Fans are wanting to see the Dinobots and so am I but if I know bay, hes not going to really give a crap because you can't model a GMC Truck after a Dinobot. He's looking for big time money sponsors here.

These Movies have gotten progressively worse. First one was awesome, second was a joke, and the third one was way too drawn out. I lost interest the last hour of the movie. I shudder to think what 4 will be like. So Whalberg will either be the saving grace for the franchise or the nail in the coffin.

As a dedicated Transformers fan I can only hope for the best. And hope for Dinobots! Just don't give me a robotic version of Jurassic Park!

What are your thoughts on a 4th movie being made? What do you think of Mark Whalberg's involvement? And what do you think the new movie poster signifies? Let me know your thoughts in a comment below or tweet me @PSiege1 

Also Don't forget to visit my friend Silas' Twitter @silaslesnick, he's always got the scoop on all your Geek News needs and is an excellent Journalist.

As always, thanks for reading, until next time this has been a Geek Critique from yours truly.

-Paul

DC Nation ushers in a new season of Green Lantern TAS

If you haven't been watching Cartoon Network lately, you wouldn't know there have been two new episodes of Green Lantern the animated series

With the Red Lanterns now soundly defeated, Hal Jordan picks up right where he left off only to have his life further dramatically changed. His long time love Carol has dumped him, not because she doesn't love him anymore, but because she knows their life together would never stand the test of time with his pressures of being a Green Lantern. With that being said, she also fires Hal knowing full well he cannot be both a Lantern and Full time test pilot. Poor Hal, Fired and Dumped in one day.

Guy from GL TAS 

With Hal on the brink of quitting the lanterns to go back to his old life we finally get introduced to another main character of the Green Lantern Corps. None other than Guy Gardner! While Hal was off playing in space with Killawog and Razor, Guy was named the new Guardian of Earth. Sorry Hal Earth has a new protector. Geeze, fired twice in one day and dumped.  Then to our surprise, Hal gets promoted to honor guard. He now patrols all of space. No pay raise though lol. And still no Carol....For now at least

Tohmar-rae makes a reappearance and now surely to be around for awhile. He as well is part of the honor guard and has taken a liking to Hal. Enter the newest threat. The Manhunters. Surely to be the main threat of this season. Killawog and their sidekick ship Aiya rejoin Hal and Tomahr for another jetset journey to destroy all remaining Manhunters, only to discover the person in charge of this fiendish plot. I'll leave it there. No big spoilers for everyone.

Thoughts on this season so far? Love the way they have introduced Guy. He has a great portrayal in the series and is very classic "Guy" in a lot of ways. I loved the "Frienemy" type chemistry he and Hal had with one another. Dietrich Bader was a perfect casting choice for Guy as well. I hope we get to see more of guy later on, I'd like to say hes my favorite so far but in all honesty there is something I've come to love about each lantern. Usually I pick one character to stick by but it just goes to show what good casting, stories, and scripts can do for a character.

Is that a Green Lantern Limited Edition PKE Meter? 

Tomar's portrayal reminded me that of an alien Egon Spengler from Ghostbusters with repeated phrases such as "I'm detecting a low energy ion pulse" Are we busting ghosts or Manhunters? I mean, just look at this picture of him, its a GL version of a PKE meter!

Chip can't talk, but he can still kick Hal Jordan's butt any day of the week.

We also get to see "Chip" our squirrely little lantern kick Hal's butt then help him out later. Most likely not the last time we've seen him either as him and Hal became fast friends. 

I keep looking forward to the next episode of this series every week because something has always come out of left field to surprise you in the best way possible. 

Not once did I think "I can miss one episode" or "That episode was boring" anything and will more than likely be answered later, a good tease for the time being. 

If you haven't seen the series yet, watch it from the beginning, it won't seem like much at first but there is superb growth throughout the storyline and the poor CGI is forgivable with all the other things it has going for it.  

Here's a video showing you the opening title sequence to the show.

If you HAVE seen the series, what do you think of the new season so far? And anything you are hoping to see?

As always I ask you to leave a comment, or Tweet me on what you thought of this week's critique topic. Tweet me  @PSiege1

Until next time, remember....

"Sometimes its better to ask for forgiveness later, than to ask permission first"

- Hal Jordan, Green Lantern Season 2 Episode 2