Ben 10 / Generator Rex: Heroes United

Ben 10 / Generator Rex: Heroes United has built a real following among viewers who want their sci-fi to think as hard as it looks. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Daryl Sabara anchors it with a performance that grounds the bigger ideas in something human. Put it on tonight and see for yourself.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Ben 10 / Generator Rex: Heroes United earns its spot. What makes Ben 10 / Generator Rex: Heroes United work is that the ideas never crowd out the people having them. Ben Tennyson falls through a wormhole and encounters Rex. The two heroes must unite against a foe that can absorb their powers. Daryl Sabara and Yuri Lowenthal lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2011. What separates Ben 10 / Generator Rex: Heroes United from lesser genre entertainment is a willingness to let the concept cost the characters something. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Ben 10 / Generator Rex: Heroes United is satisfying on multiple levels — something to watch and something to think about after. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Daryl Sabara grounds the bigger ideas in something human. Once you are in, you will want to talk about it.