Opening Day: 24 February 2011

Synopsis: Three are dead. Who is Number Four? D.J. Caruso ("Eagle Eye," "Disturbia") helms an action-packed thriller about an extraordinary teen, John Smith (Alex Pettyfer), who 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 (Timothy 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 (Dianna Agron), powerful new abilities and a connection to the others who share his incredible destiny.

Movie Review:

Riding on the popularity of a certain tween supernatural romance between human and being, the quest for belonging and the ever presence of attachment lives on and apparently emotions run deep no matter what culture, dimension or planet you are.  A very typical epic teen drama wrap around a twist, sprinkled with action. I’m not going to fret about the fact that its a mish-mash of many iconic scene we have encountered on our silver screen namely because, lets face it, there is no original idea left now. What is important is not to be a blatant rip-off and to come up with a story that stays true. Fortunately, "I Am Number Four" surprisingly stands on its own, without any expectation as i passed through the doors of the cinema. Back when the first trailer popped across the island, i shrugged it off as another teen fantasy adventure that didn’t live pass its 1st venture out from the book, i expected this to fail. So do note that, your enjoyment for this film relies greatly on your expectation and main goal watching this show. Those who aim to be entertained, sadly to say, only the last half of the film does justice especially the final showdown. Anything before that, you'll be mistaken for accidentally entering the wrong cinema. But if you’re in for the ride of dwelling into the eye candy spread, you’re in luck. From Alex Pettyfer to Timothy Olyphant to Dianna Agron, its a buffet for everyone.  

Lets break down the storyline which everyone seems to be confuse about. It may resemblance many shows we’ve seen before but it has this off kilter that throws many reviewers off from its unbalance theme and undulating pace that feels like a new car driver who is practicing the use of a brake system. But like any other fantasy sci-fi based film, a background introduction is laid out to give the back story. Much appreciated the effort for making this the quickest stuff in your face back-story ever told. It was told that Planet Lorien is under treat and had sent 9 special alien children to earth to hide from the Mogadorians whose main aim is to destroy them all. Why? Who knows. Perhaps it’ll be explained in the sequel. By now, don’t care. The story starts of with the killing of number 3. Wait-a-min, isn’t this a Disney funded film? Whats with all the killing and blood spill and even shocking, stuffing mini razor-saw balls into mouths (just realise that sounded wrong in so many levels, but I'm leaving it in). Disney with blood, I'm liking it. Anyway, back on track, As one by one these special alien children are assassinated by the evil bounty beings, they are helpless in protecting themselves from them thus the constant moving/running away. That is where the story starts going melodrama, while bringing up themes of what most teens grew up with. Love, bullying, acceptance and others. this is where, the pace suddenly come to a halt and dragged its feet almost to the pace of a certain sparkly kind. Thank goodness for John, the number four, being the legacy, having his new found special ability to play with. Alien boy meets girl, girl fall in love. Boy befriends geeky boy who in turns will help him in future. matter happens to keep boy and girl apart. You know the drill.  

A broodingly handsome the model turn actor seems, its not as bad as mentioned in the press. John played by Alex Pettyfer has a certain charm and coyness to him that makes him be the guy who everyone thinks he is a douche bag but that just what everyone perceive him to be. guess haters gonna be haters. Dianna Agron who plays the love interest, Sarah, unfortunately still pertain the same outlook and demure of Quin in the hit TV show Glee, but minus the bitchiness which is hard to wipe such character off her. But her style and sense of conversation very much resembles the ethereal Liv Tyler. Her slow speech and glowing presence pretty much captivates and calms the beast within. Much to my disappointment is the appearance of Timothy Olyphant as the warrior guardian who (SPOILER ALERT) didn't live long till the end and wasn’t much of a guardian to begin with. How is he going to protect the children of Lorien from the major alien bounty if can be easily kidnapped by human beings? By this point, I've learnt to not question much and suspend the belief in or to enjoy the show. 

What i am very excited about very much lies towards the end of the film where the action is. No, they did not get it on. What  i was referring to is all the action you see from the trailer. All the sci-fi she-bang was full on and no rocks unturned. Bodies thrown about like rag dolls, explosions galore, phaser blaster on top dial, monsters abound and to top it off a bad-ass alien girl coming to save the day. Who says only guys can arrive as the gallant knight in shiny armour? This is one leather gun trotting child of Lorien i won’t mind be rescued by. And why all this top notch action sequence? Why would you settle less if its a Micheal Bay production? Bring on all those slow-mo and fire explosions in the next sequel! 

Movie Rating:



(Twilight it may not be but with a fix of pacing, this is one hell of a sci-fi tween drama that kicks ass)

Review by Lokman B S