Viewers shuffle out of the movie theater after viewing I Am Number Four sweating nervously as their hearts beat rapidly at the frightening scenario the movie just presented – a sequel is a very strong possibility. The titular "Number Four" is an attractive alien played by Alex Pettyfer, one of the few survivors of his planet. The movie follows his efforts to blend in as a teenager on Earth to hide from the aliens inexplicably determined to kill every member of his species.
However, Number Four has a tough time blending in – as it turns out his dazzling good looks and uncontrollable superpowers (such as his hands, which, upon occasion, emit bright beams of light). The film cleverly masks the gaping holes in the storyline by drawing attention to Alex Pettyfer. Pettyfer looks like an Abercrombie & Fitch model – the only difference is that the models are aware that they can't act.
As the audience tries in vain to overlook the gaping holes in the plot, the expected yet poorly executed plot "twists" and transition, and Pettyfer's impressive ability to make acting look extremely difficult, they look towards the CGI and other special effects to breathe life into this otherwise rotting corpse of a film.
Overall, the CGI and special effects were well done, however, at times, this 21st century; sixty million dollar Hollywood production's special effects and CGI are only slightly more believable than Pettyfer's acting. The computer-generated beasts are the strongest examples of this shortcoming, as they are painfully reminiscent of Mr. Hyde from Van Helsing.
I Am Number Four was a disappointing film, to say the least, and although at times it appeared to have potential, its weak storyline and pitiful Pettyfer lead brought the film's quality down substantially. I would advise against purchasing or renting this movie when it is released on DVD and Blu-Ray on May 24, 2011.
However, Number Four has a tough time blending in – as it turns out his dazzling good looks and uncontrollable superpowers (such as his hands, which, upon occasion, emit bright beams of light). The film cleverly masks the gaping holes in the storyline by drawing attention to Alex Pettyfer. Pettyfer looks like an Abercrombie & Fitch model – the only difference is that the models are aware that they can't act.
As the audience tries in vain to overlook the gaping holes in the plot, the expected yet poorly executed plot "twists" and transition, and Pettyfer's impressive ability to make acting look extremely difficult, they look towards the CGI and other special effects to breathe life into this otherwise rotting corpse of a film.
Overall, the CGI and special effects were well done, however, at times, this 21st century; sixty million dollar Hollywood production's special effects and CGI are only slightly more believable than Pettyfer's acting. The computer-generated beasts are the strongest examples of this shortcoming, as they are painfully reminiscent of Mr. Hyde from Van Helsing.
I Am Number Four was a disappointing film, to say the least, and although at times it appeared to have potential, its weak storyline and pitiful Pettyfer lead brought the film's quality down substantially. I would advise against purchasing or renting this movie when it is released on DVD and Blu-Ray on May 24, 2011.