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A hero for every occasion
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November 26, 2009
By Rebecca Naidoo-Nattar
Heroes, aliens, plumbers and the Omnitrix... yup, we're talking Ben 10, more specifically the latest all-action movie, Ben 10: Alien Swarm, which launched in the US yesterday and screens in South Africa on the Cartoon Network on December 5 at 5.15pm.
In Ben 10: Alien Swarm, the now 15-year-old hero Ben Tennyson faces an all-new alien nemesis (a mad swarm of alien chips) and is forced to break ranks from the Plumbers (a secret organisation that battles alien forces) in order to help a mysterious young woman named Elena and defeat the alien threat to our world.
He's joined by super-powered heroes Gwen and Kevin E Levin and together they must trust each other's instincts to help save the day.
Starring as Ben Tennyson is 23-year-old Ryan Kelly, who says he didn't find it weird taking on the role of a teen hero.
"I have a baby-face and I'm always being cast in younger roles. I slipped right into character. It was so much fun," he says.
Asked what traits he shares with Ben, Ryan says: "Ben has a huge heart and is always protecting others. He takes care of his family and friends. I love my family and friends and I'm always looking out for them, too. Ben definitely has an adventurous side, I'm not as adventurous as he is, but I do like doing things like snowboarding, surfing and stuff."
Ryan and his cast members agree that filming the movie "on the mean streets of Atlanta, Georgia" was amazing. "Every day, coming on set we were like little kids. It was an absolute blast and there was always so much action. We did most of our own stunts, but some of the motorcycle stunts we weren't allowed to do. The aliens were all CGI (computer-generated imagery), so when Ben transformed into an alien, I'd have to run off set and the rest of the cast would have to carry on acting as if I was there. I'd go stand next to the camera and make fun of them," he laughs.
"I really like my cast members; they're the coolest people I've met. We're all friends, we hang out together on set and off and we're always having fun."
The feeling is mutual as Galadiel Stineman (Gwen), Nathan Keyes (Kevin E Levin) and Alyssa Diaz (Elena) describe Ryan as hysterical, caring, a really great, smart guy, charming, honest and the life of the party.
Something that most people don't know about Ryan is that he has 14 siblings and is a self-confessed "huge computer nerd" who loves playing computer games.
Fourteen siblings! His house must be craziness. "Well, having 14 siblings has its moments, but I don't mind. I became a fan of Ben 10 because my little siblings are hooked on it," says Ryan.
As far as popularity is concerned, Ryan says it's actually quite funny the way people don't really know he's an actor when he's walking down the street, but when he wears the Ben 10 jacket the little kids just stare at him, then at his wrist, as if waiting for something to happen.
"They just stand there staring, so after a while I just pull up my sleeve so they can have a look at the Omnitrix watch and they get that smile on their faces.
"Lots of our friends have younger siblings who are always bugging them to get stuff signed for them. Even our former teachers and family members hound us to get Ben 10 stuff signed. But we don't mind, we love doing it," says Ryan.
According to Ryan, Ben 10: Alien Swarm has been stepped up a notch.
The action scenes are bigger and there are many more special effects. He says that fans are definitely going to be impressed with the movie.
"The plot is really cool and I love the fact that there's a brand-new alien hero that Ben transforms into.
"Fans are in for quite a few surprises that I really think they'll enjoy.
"But besides it just being an enjoyable movie," Ryan adds, "it portrays camaraderie between us, showing kids loyalty and trust and the importance of family and friends and caring for each other. Check out the film - it's going to be awesome!"
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