Review of film: “I AM NUMBER 4”

2011, 02-23:

Review of film:  “I AM NUMBER 4”

     Will someone being “deep-SIX-ed” be able to STOP his “Number” from coming “UP”?!...

[  As posted with PHOTOS at:  voice-of-film.blogspot.com/ = ]  

As this movie starts, there are a couple young men trying to relax in mosquito-netted beds in some tropical paradise…  Suddenly, one hears a strange NOISE from outside their shack, he goes to investigate--  & there’s a terrible DISASTER awaiting both of them from some “unseen” deadly forces…   

…  After that, we’re introduced to ANOTHER young person who’s being “protected”:  John (ALEX PETTYFER, from the U.K., who did “ALEX RIDER” in 2006 & “TORMENTED” in 2009) …   He’s told by his guardian Henri (TIMOTHY OLYPHANT) that, since he’s “Number 4” & something bad had just happened to “Number 3”, that they must once again quickly DEPART from where they’re living…

…  Timothy takes Alex to what he feels will be a “safe” environment in ironically-named Paradise, Ohio, where Tim prepares a bunch of security cameras & computer setups to try to better shelter both of them from  the MOGADORIANS…   

…  If you haven’t already “guessed”, the “M-G-Ds” are from ANOTHER planet, & are pursuing all remaining Lorians like Alex & Tim.  Since there were only a total of 9 such beings on Earth & they’re being hunted-down in “order”, that leaves only 6 more remaining on the planet…

…  Alex makes clear to Tim that he’s grown very WEARY of being hunted, since the Lorians had never “done” anything to the Mogadorians -- who see the chase as a “GAME” with killing the only “success”… 

…  Altho Tim wants him to “lay low”, Alex gets very LONELY doing that & insists on being allowed to go to SCHOOL to try to have some companionship & learn more about this world…  As the “new kid”, it’s typically hard for him to make friends--  but he’s pleased that a pretty girl Sarah (DIANA AGRON) seems to take a “liking” to him… 

…  At school, Alex dislikes how some “jocks” pick on a small kid named Sam (Australian CALLAN McAULIFFE, who was very good in 2010’s “FLIPPED”).  When he tries to defend Callan from the Jocks such as Mark (JAKE ABEL)--  who dislikes being “challenged”, & is especially angry because Diana used to be “HIS” girl – that quickly earns Alex “enemy” status… 

…  Callan tries to “warn” Alex that it’s unwise for people to take “his” side, since Callan is considered a “weirdo” & his real father has “disappeared”, which causes other kids to “avoid” him…. 

…  But, Alex likes doing what he believes is “RIGHT” to do, & continues trying to befriend Callan--  which causes Jake & his friends to attack BOTH of them whenever possible  (at school & at a carnival, etc.)…

…  Little-by-little, we see the Mogadorian Commander (KEVIN DURAND) & his henchmen are continuously trying to FIND & kill “Number 4” Alex…  For some reason, there’s a mysterious woman (TERESA PALMER) who seems to be trying to help HIDE Alex from them, by covering up his whereabouts & the like…

…  But, the Mogadorians are relentless in their quest…  They’re an unusual group:  they are large & have shark-like pointed teeth--  but, rather than being your typical “growling” aliens, Kevin keeps working to speak in a fascinatingly “CIVIL” tone--  all the while you can “feel” (& eventually see) the “MAYHEM” behind his “inquiries” to “3^rd parties” about Alex & Tim…

…  To no great surprise, Diana is quite attracted to thoughtful & cute Alex, & he has to work hard to not reply too much “in kind”…  Altho Callan is worried about the “jocks”, he’s very grateful at the way Alex keeps PROTECTING him against them…

…  That “protectiveness” on Alex’s part starts causing him to be “NOTICED” in ways he & Henri are “concerned” about--  because Alex keeps developing more & more new alien “POWERS” (like sending out light waves & power “surges” from his body)…       

…  Will Alex be able to keep the “jocks” at “BAY”?...  Will he be able to “safely” get closer to his first girlfriend Diana?...  What will the MOGADORIANS be able to accomplish as they seek out Alex & Henri?... 

…  Will Alex’s newly developing special abilities be able to keep him SAFE?...  WHO is mysterious Teresa & WHY is she protecting Alex?...

…  To me, this is a very EFFECTIVE science-fiction film:  yes, there are elements of “Superboy” & similar individuals in the way Alex keeps finding & developing new alien SKILLS…  But, as a friend of mine commented, you grow to really CARE about the characters such as Alex & Callan, since they’re “set-upon” although they do nothing to initate hurting others…

…  The casting & "chase" scenes are very effective, acting is unusually “BELIEVABLE” given the sci-fi genre (which I like a lot), the special effects are quite good, they’ve used some cleverness in their characters (such as the superficially  “civilized” but deadly Mogadorians), & I feel they have carefully worked to hopefully set-up the group for one or more SEQUELS…

…  Others may find the film somewhat “silly”, but, as was the case with director D.J. CARUSO’S other film “EAGLE EYE”, I was favorably IMPRESSED with it, & am rating it at 8.25 of 10 stars…

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