By Juliana Hoft
Staff Writer
Are there aliens from other planets or galaxies living on Earth? Could these aliens be walking among us like average people? “I Am Number Four” plays on the premise that there are creatures from another planet living on Earth that look and act just like us.
This movie is a little too predictable, but otherwise it is wonderfully entertaining and appealing. It has an original idea, but the plot includes the expected happy ending so the surprise factor of not knowing what is going to happen next is missing.
A teenager named John Smith(Alex Pettyfer) is on the run from mysterious killers from his home planet. There are nine of John’s kind who have supernatural powers. Three of these people have already been tracked down and killed. John is number four, and he is the next target for the killers.
While John is on the run, he encounters and connects with ordinary humans. A girl he meets (Dianna Agron) ends up being the love of his life, but he makes the careless decision to stay with her in an effort to protect her. When John’s trackers finally find him, he teams up with number six of his kind, and an extended, intense battle occurs.
“I am Number Four” is the first film adaptation from the series of books called the “Lorien Legacies.” The movie has an open ending that invites the prospect sequels based from other books in the series.
The predictable storyline is this film’s biggest flaw. From the exposition of the film, the audience expects everything to work out for the main characters. There needs to be unexpected events and surprises that viewers cannot predict.
One predictable moment is when John stays to be with the girl he loves, which puts him in danger. He should have protected himself and his special powers before worrying about a girl he could come back for, typical for any teen action film.
Even though the plotline is simple and easy to follow, “I Am Number Four” is a great adventure, thriller, and a love story; the variety genres satisfy any audience.The special effects in “I Am Number Four” are excellent. John has special powers that allow his hands to give off a bright light; that is very well done.
The many explosions and large alien creatures also look very realistic.“I am Number Four” is entertaining and worth seeing in theaters if you don’t mind the happy and predictable ending.
It is rated PG-13, and is playing in theaters nationwide.
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