THE SET-UP
This sci-fi action adventure is about nine alien beings, from the planet Lorien, who narrowly escape death on their war ravaged planet to seek out a peaceful life on Earth where their powers and skills can grow in hopes of one day returning to save their people from an enemy determined to wipe them out. However, somehow, that enemy has found them on Earth and is searching them out to pick them off one by one. Where once it seemed safer to divide and conquer, their only hope, now, is to find each other and join forces in a battle of survival. The main complication in this plan, however, is Number Four’s budding affections for the lovely Sarah.
Director: D.J. Caruso
Written By: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, and Marti Noxon
Cast: Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer
THE GOOD
What was the best part about the film? The action and special effects, of course! Without giving away too much, the final battle, previewed in the trailer, really made the movie.
In spite of what anyone may think, the acting was nicely done. Teresa Palmer, who played Number Six, was totally rocking the warrior princess attitude. Even Glee sweetheart Dianna Agron played local beauty Sarah with that cute girl-next-door charm.
THE BAD
I was not blind enough to not think there was some romantic aspect to the storyline, but there were moments that seemed straight-up “teen romance”. Not that it’s always a bad thing! My point is simply that if I wanted to go see a teen romance I would, at least, like to know ahead of time.
Another disappointing factor is that Timothy Olyphant, who plays Henri, the guardian of Number Four, is grossly underutilized and discarded all too soon in the plotline. In order to not give away too much, let’s just say Henri is a supremely intelligent and powerful being exited in a fashion that seems all too “average person”.
OVERALL
One part Michael Bay plus a touch of X-Men plus a smidge of Twilight equals the recipe for “I Am Number Four”. Don’t get me wrong, it was entertaining but in order to try to help the viewer that likes to get their money’s worth out of movie night..it falls short of a solid recommendation from yours truly. However, the entertainment value was worthy of a rental so don’t write it off entirely.
I Am Number 4 gets a 6.5 out of 10.
I hate to say this about a movie that entertained me, but if I knew then what I know now..I would have waited for the DVD released to rent.
-Carla
