Ben 10: Omni-Tricked – Season 1: Volume 2 DVD Review

The Ben 10: Omni-Tricked – Season 1: Volume 2 DVD includes fan-favorite episodes along with the four-part “Omni-Tricked” special.

Ben 10—or better known as Ben 10 reboot—Season 1 finished airing in the US almost a year ago. If you miss this parallel universe version of Ben Tennyson, Gwen, and Grandpa Max, you will soon be able to get the latest DVD installments.

Ben 10, one of Cartoon Network’s most enduring franchises, has enjoyed thirteen years of success, and it’s not hard to see why. Ben Tennyson—an unconventional superhero—encounters evil aliens, can transform into multiple ones himself, and has a cool family entourage. And with this reboot, we get a hero who’s younger (10 years old to be exact) and a tone that’s much lighter.

The seventeen-episode DVD contains a selection of installments from the latter half of Season 1, in addition to the four-part “Omni-Tricked” special. The DVD itself is pretty straightforward: you can play them all uninterrupted, or select your favorite episodes. It also has basic subtitling.

Many series purists have balked at this new version (of which has already been renewed for a third season) due to its focus on a younger demographic. However, it does take place in another universe and doesn’t affect the original timeline. So, if you were to use an analogy, the original series was to Young Justice as this reboot is to Teen Titans Go!

The selected episodes give a good representation of the humor seen in the series. Though it’s targeting elementary school children, the comedy is sophisticated enough for adults to also have a chuckle. One prime example is the “Recipe for Disaster” episode where Ben, Gwen, and Grandpa Max go on a gastronomic adventure among a sea of food trucks.

Ben 10 Season 1 really shines in the four-part “Omni-Tricked” special. Throughout the season, there is very little character development for the main character. However, the special not only has the Omnitrix showing some other facets, but also has Ben growing as a hero. The special is also much more rife with internal and external conflicts.

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The Ben 10: Omni-Tricked – Season 1: Volume 2 DVD is a straightforward compilation of episodes from the second half of the first season. With each installment being a standalone narrative (aside from the “Omni-Tracked” special), a first-time viewer can start this series without much of a primer. There’s definitely something to be said about serialized episodes—like the original series—but this series’ episodic format serves this reboot for a younger demographic perfectly well.

The Ben 10: Omni-Tricked – Season 1: Volume 2 DVD will be released on September 18, 2018.