I am Number Four

Title: I am Number Four

Genre: Action, Thriller, Sci-Fi

Directed by: D.J. Caruso

Format: DVD released May 2011

Rating: PG-13

Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer, Diana Agron

John Smith is extraordinary. He is also what many would consider an alien. When ruthless enemies invaded his home planet many years ago, John and a group of others were sent to Earth with the hopes that someday the planet would be rejuvenated, and their race would be revitalized.

Now a teenager, John and his guardian, Henri, live on the run. They never stay anywhere long enough for it to truly become home. John never has time for friends and most certainly never lives anywhere long enough to not be considered the new kid.

Things begin to change for John when he and Henri move to a small Ohio town. Once there, John begins to learn things about himself that are amazing. He also falls in love for the first time and meets new friends that share the incredible journey he is about to encounter.

I am going to say something unusual for me and for anyone else who probably reads often: I liked this movie better than I liked the book. Yes, I can hear you gasping. It is true that a book is usually better because it has time to be more in depth. You get to spend more time with the characters and learn more details about the story. But, this time, I really liked the movie best.

I am Number Four was full of action and the story moved a long quickly, but still at a pace that I always knew what was going on. I really liked the cast of characters, I found them all easy to relate to and believable in their roles. The only character that I pictured differently in the book was Sam, John's alien obsessed new friend. In the movie he appeared so young compared to the other characters-but that in no way took away from his performance.

 Alex Pettyfer did a good job portraying John. I found his facial expressions to be very real, and it was easy to see what he was feeling and what he wanted the audience to feel. I was touched when Sarah first brought him to her house, and he stood outside on the sidewalk gazing up at her house. You could see that it was a dream of his—something so simple—yet (for him) so out of reach; to have a real home and not just a place that you are passing through.

Number Six was also a favorite character of mine. This is a strong woman who knows how to take care of herself. I loved her shoot first and ask questions later attitude.

Diana Agron played Sarah and she lit up the screen with her beautiful golden looks. But, her acting ability is good too, proving that she is more than just a pretty face.

My favorite character of the movie may or may not be surprising. It is Bernie Kosar….yes, the dog. Or is he?? And really, what kind of name is Bernie Kosar for a dog? But it didn't matter because whenever his little furry cuteness came on the screen, I smiled. I was so so glad that he made it til the end of the movie without meeting death.

As I was watching I was sometimes struck how much this movie/story reminded me of CW's Smallville, the tale of a young Clark Kent who becomes the guy we all know today as Superman. When I looked the movie up to do this review, I learned that Miles Millar was involved in writing the screenplay, he was also very involved with Smallville. So, if you liked that TV show then you will most likely like I am Number Four.

And who knows…you just might come over to the dark side with me and admit that maybe just this once…the movie was totally better than the book.

Review written by Cambria Hebert