Monday, February 21, 2011

Movies 136: I Am Number Four



This movie hasn't gotten the greatest reviews. Yet, what were they exactly expecting? Yes, its main target is the crowd who loves GLEE and Alex Pettyfer, no doubt. Alex does have a certain arrogance about him in pictures. He looks older than he seems, especially when he models. But don't let that hold you back. His first scene is quite spectacular on the water. I was thinking..is he gonna be like this through the whole movie?

Thankfully, he isn't that smug. Turn on the blond and he's really not such a bad boy. He takes on a new identity and new school where soon enough he finds who the bullies are. Oh, and there a few bad guys in this movie. Some aliens. Some not.

Jake Abel plays Mark, the tough jock and main bully at school who used to be, guess who's boyfriend? The girl that Pettyfer's character is suddenly smitten with, photographer Sarah played by Diane Agron.

Do they have chemistry? Sarah & John (Diane&Alex) More so than ... another saga movie couple I could name, but won't mention. Speaking of which Number 6, Teresa Palmer (with her Kristen Stewart looks) actually rocks this movie. She might as well have came right off the set of the KICK-ASS sequel. Seriously, Number 4 could learn a lot from Number 6.


Timothy Olyphant plays Henri, who is Number 4's guardian/protector. He is quite fatherly in the film. Also Kevin Durrand is the Mogadorian Commander. This actor knows how to be a villain (Remember him on Lost?). Then there is Sam played by Callan McAuliffe who you might remember from Flipped. Sam and John (Number 4) find they have something in common, after Sam notices John's powers. He knows John is not of this world. Sam's Dad who's missing knew a lot about UFOs.

Number 4&6 are stronger together


The movie is packed with special effects. You have a coming of age story and a teen romance. However, I wasn't that impressed with the soundtrack. Near the end, some of the special effects are quite violent. Especially, when you find out that adorable beagel that John found isn't quite what it seems.

As one reviewer put it, the movie feels like an extended version of a Smallville episode. The screenplay writer used to write episodes for Smallville. The director D.J. Caruso directed Disturbia and Eagle Eye.

The film might not be perfect, but there is a certain sincerity about Alex Pettyfer that rings true. He is more than just eye-candy. Yet at the same time, he and Diane Agron were able to make each other look amazing and that is something some actors are unable to do. I look forward to seeing both of them in more movies.



Storyline: Extraordinary teen John Smith (Pettyfer) is a fugitive on the run from ruthless enemies sent to destroy him. Changing his identity, moving from town to town with his guardian Henri (Olyphant), John is always the new kid with no ties to his past. In the small Ohio town he now calls home, John encounters unexpected, life-changing events-his first love (Agron), powerful new abilities and a connection to the others who share his incredible destiny.

I Am Number 4

8/10

5 comments:

  1. I think Alex can act. He and Di look really cute together. But their voices are a lot to be desired, still. In their interviews it was kind of hard to understand them.

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  2. I'll have to put this on my list cause I do think it looks promising, or at least it could be interesting to see Diana's non-Glee acting!

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  3. I liked it. I think he did great in the roll. I think he's a fine actor.

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  4. I would most definitely watch the sequel.

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  5. I really liked that movie. And Alex is hot :)

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