I wish I might, I wish for might

[Mikewolf]

The sub genre of superhero films have at their heart that secret desire we all have for power. Who wouldn't want to be superman, or to swing through the city like spiderman? Even plain ol' human bruce wayne has that wonderful super power of money, and more money.

Ben 10 (the original cartoon, the new cartoon, and the movie 'Ben 10: Race against time') certainly has to be one of the kings of what every boy dreams of. Our hero Ben accidently gets an alien device latched to his wrist. Now with a mere flick he can become various aliens each with super powers. Of course, things are never that easy. The device, the omnitrix, is sometimes unreliable. Also of course everyone wants the omnitrix, leading to various battles.

In some ways, Ben 10 reminds me of the old 'Dial 'H' for hero' comic strip. The drama of both is how our hero uses each new power even if they don't seem right for the situation. Ben is at least helped by his cousin and grandfather (secretly an ex MIB).

I recommend both the original series and the movies. The movie gets extra points from me for: 1) starring lee "I am the six million dollar man and no I didn't have sex with sasquatch" Majors, and 2) directed by Alex "I didn't have a career but keanu did" Winters.

[multifaceted val]

Ah, but fiction focuses on superheros.

[Mikewolf]

... or an all powerful God

[multifaceted val]

Have you noticed that when a culture is stressed, like at war or in the midst of a crime wave, that the thought of an all-powerful superhero is especially comforting?