Science-fiction is a wonderful thing. It can graft itself to just about any other type of story, and when it’s done well, the merge can elevate both. I Am Number Four is a hybrid of sci-fi and teen romance, but in this case, a lack of creativity lets the whole thing down.
Years ago, a peaceful alien world was conquered by the evil Mogadorians. Before its population was wiped out, nine “special” children were evacuated, and brought to Earth to hide. They have lived apart from each other ever since, each guarded by a warrior-protector, and living off the grid as much as possible so as not to be discovered.
The “Mogs” insist on wiping out their enemies, and over the years they have hunted the kids around the globe. They’ve just killed their third. Our hero (Alex Pettyfer) knows he will soon be Number Four.
His protector, Henri (Timothy Olyphant), moves them to a new town, where Number Four becomes “John Smith” and is ordered to stay out of sight. John insists on living his life, however, and soon is enrolled at the local high school, where he’s ridiculed by the jocks, makes friends with the “weird” kid, and falls for the beautiful girl who’s a bit of an outsider herself.
See the problem? After setting up an interesting back story, I Am Number Four starts following the teen romance playbook so closely that the quieter moments kill the film’s momentum. It’s based on a novel, which I haven’t read, and which may have handled things better, but this adaptation is strictly paint-by-numbers. John may be an alien, but he’s an alien with typical teenage angst. Yes, he’s one of the last of his kind, being hunted to extinction, and yes, that would be depressing, but we get no sense of the other emotions he’s supposed to be feeling. John and Sarah (Dianna Agron) seem to fall in love simply because the plot decides they should.
Even the science-fiction elements of the story are clichéd – for example, we know the Mogs are evil because they have piranha-like faces, an abundance of tattoos, and wear black trenchcoats. But at least they do interesting things. By the time John develops energy-projection powers, and realizes he can defend himself, the most excitement he can muster up is to break a couple of streetlights and grin slightly.
I can’t really knock the performances here. Pettyfer has been good in other films, and he carries this role well, but he’s hamstringed by the romantic plot. In early scenes, he shows us a range of happy and carefree emotion before Number Four gets the bad news, but he’s never allowed to return to it.
The movie wakes up in the last third, with some good action (though surprisingly violent for a PG rating) and a few attempts at comic relief. But by then, it’s too late. The ending sets up a sequel, and the story has potential. It would be nice if the next one is a little less formulaic.
Tags: I am number four, movie review
About the author: David Raitt
David Raitt is a writer and lover of pop culture. He lives in Oakville. He has also worked as an actor for The Second City, and has written, produced and performed his own sketch comedy, including the Canadian Comedy Award-nominated ALL THE RAGE. Semi-retired from performing, he still teaches improv and communications skills to students and corporate groups through his association with The Second City. Check out Dave's website at http://davidraitt.com
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