I Am Number Four Review

"I Am Number Four"
Release Date: 02/18/2011
Directed by: D.J. Caruso
Screenplay by: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Marti Noxon
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and for brief language.
Review by: Sean Kayden

Based on the book by Jobie Hughes and James Frey, “I Am Number Four” is an engrossing sci-fi high school tale only for those who are loyal to this genre. John Smith (Alex Pettyfer) is the principle character, an alien from the planet Lorien. He was sent to Earth as a child alongside eight other toddlers to flee from an attack by another race, the Mogadorians, who inevitably destroy their home planet. The always-superlative Timothy Olyphant plays his guardian, Henri. The two of them find themselves on the run after the first three children are hunted and killed by the Mogadorians. John and Henri make their way to a small Ohio town where everything is about to change. With no ties to his past, John must once again start over. He’s the habitual outsider until he finds a friend with a similar destiny, falls for the prototypical rebellious girl and discovers the powers of his own entity. Ladies and gents, “I Am Number Four” plays out like the male counterpart to “Twilight”. In its defense, there are some notable highlights and it possesses far less sappy, melodramatic moments unlike its maudlin doppelganger.

If I were in high school, I’d probably go gangbusters for this film. The flick caters to high school boys, since there is a kick-ass chick that comes into play mainly in the third act. The problem is Number Six (Teresa Palmer), screen time is minimal and that’s a real shame. Alex Pettyfer, the honorable protagonist, does a fairly adequate job given the material. He’s no superstar in the making primarily coming off a slightly one-dimensional in this particular performance. Dianna Agron is a real treat though. I can see why she smote John. It was utterly effortless for the audience to fall in love with her character. In addition, she is awfully easy on the eyes. Another cast member, Callan McAuliffe performs explicitly as the kid perpetually picked on by the high school quarterback and his cronies. He has a secret of his own that plays into the film late in the second act. His character is the only one that seems to tackle real life problems. Lastly, Timothy Olyphant is undoubtedly the finest actor in this production. Seriously, how could you not dig watching his artistic work?

“I Am Number Four” is fairly deliberately paced. We get a snippet of action in act two, but it isn’t until the grand finale where the movie comes alive. Given the nature of the film and its production costs, the special effects were satisfactory, but nothing mind-blowing. Director DJ Caruso (Distrubia, Eagle Eye) is an above-average director that knows how to work the audience and give you just enough suspense to keep you on edge. I prefer his smaller, grittier and distinctly different movie “The Salton Sea” to the mainstream, glossy, almost-too-polished films he’s doing these days. The biggest problem with “I Am Number Four” is the script. It felt very cookie-cutter, especially the high school scenes. The screenplay provides very basic dialogue sprinkled over the familiarity of sequences we’re all accustomed to. There were even some unintentional moments of laughter, which I never mind. However, it’s more like you’re not laughing with the movie, but sadly just at it. Perhaps this is my reasoning to elude the obvious fact that movies like “I Am Number Four” feel more like a glitzy, perfectly packaged over-pretentious product rather than something evoking honest and authentic visceral reactions. “I Am Number Four” is a fun escape on a boring, rainy day Sunday, but if you’re seeking originality and memorable moments, take heed, head another direction.

Grade: 3 out of 5.

Published on February 26, 2011 by Mountain Views News.
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n09/p11.htm