The hugely popular Cartoon Network series Ben 10 comes to life end of November 2009 with the release of the Ben 10: Alien Swarm live-action movie. The film follows the adventures of the animated characters after protagonist Ben Tennyson breaks away from the Plumbers (a secret organisation whose purpose is to battle alien forces) to help his friend Elena to battle a threat against our world.  

Ryan Kelley (of Mean Creek fame) stars the coveted role of Ben 10 – who, with powers bestowed on him by an alien gadget called the Omnitrix, can transform into 10 different aliens. Gwen (Ben’s cousin) is played by Galadriel Stinemen, while Max (Ben’s grandfather) is portrayed by Barry Corbin (from No Country for Old Men). Nathan Keyes and Alyssa Diaz play Kevin and Elena.  

The film adaptation sees Elena’s search for her father uncover an alien threat against planet Earth and sees Ben, Kevin and Gwen, along with Grandpa Max’s vast experience with the paranormal, team up to overcome the threat.  

The roles for film of the popular series were accepted quickly when offered to the young stars who all admitted being fans of the cartoon. Although it’s been hyped and younger fans will no doubt drag their parents to see it, the film is being released a week after Twilight Saga’s New Moon film adaptation (November 28), which will overshadow it somewhat.

You can buy the Ben 10 Omnitrix watch on WantItAll.co.za