MOVIE REVIEW … I AM NUMBER FOUR

 

In the dim deserts of Hollywood, there’s a graveyard littered with failed potential franchises.  Eragon, The Golden Compass and The Seeker: The Dark is Rising series can be found wondering what went wrong.   No stranger to starring in a franchise starter is Alex Pettyfer who had his first chance at stardom with Storm-breaker in 2006.  That wasn’t a hit and most likely neither will his latest as it crudely copies from the cinematic franchise manual to deliver a banal offering.

Nine aliens flee their planet from the evil Mogadorians and settle on earth.  Each is given a guardian to protect them whilst their full powers develop during their teenage years.  Known by a number, they are eventually discovered and hunted down.  When the first of these three are killed, Number Four (Alex Pettyfer) hones his survival skills.  Living on earth as a high school student, his relationship with Sarah (Dianna Agron) complicates matters as he faces the wrath of a deadly species willing to destroy earth for their own ends.

Derived from a book series, I Am Number Four has an air of familiarity.  Fantasy fans should be able to spot copious references to series such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Twilight and others.  Unfortunately these references are its main problem as only occasionally is it allowed to present its own ideas.  When it does it’s a fairly decent film with some good effects showing how good it could be.  Sadly there aren’t enough of these moments as it follows the standard dull pattern to which franchises currently adhere.

Matters aren’t helped by D.J Caruso’s mechanical direction lacking a dynamic flair desperately needed.  Unfortunately the wooden acting adds to this burden with Pettyfer and company going through paces with an apparent eye on the pay-check.  This isn’t a good way to start a potential series with scenes meant to be exciting falling flat and sub-plots either ignored or poorly interwoven in the narrative.  Tonally it’s a mess as it ambles between children’s fantasy/comedy/adult drama with little conviction.

Whilst I Am Number Four sometimes shows some moments of wonder, overall this is a very drab affair.  Where there should be colour there is grey. It’ll be interesting to see if the box office numbers grant it a second life avoiding its place amongst the dreaded franchise scrap-heap.

Movie Review Rating 3 / 10

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

I Am Number Four released in Australia on Thursday 18^th February 2011.

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