Ben 10: Race Against Time

With a dose of “back in my day,” it’s safe to say that a lot of today’s kid shows suck. However, the live-action movie Ben 10: Race Against Time does something remarkable: it treats imagination with respect. When Ben Tennyson finds an alien watch that transforms him into any one of 10 alien creatures, he attracts some unwanted attention from alien baddies. The story is a classic setup—a socially awkward child finds he’s something special. The film has hints of Cloak and Dagger, Batteries Not Included and Flight of the Navigator—all childhood classics of the ’80s—but most importantly it allows any kid with an imagination to thrive in Ben’s world. Graham Phillips as Ben and the Six Million Dollar Man himself, Lee Majors, as Ben’s grandfather really bring their animated counterparts to life. The DVD also has special features including interviews with the cast.