I Am Number Four

For those that know me well know I don't see movies for who stars in them, big deal. Those acting in the movie aren't nearly as important as those directing the movie as far as I am concerned. That being said I am a fan of directors more than a fan of actors and that's the primary reason why I wanted to really see "I Am Number Four". Directed by D.J. Caruso who I became a fan of thanks to his movie "Disturbia" is the man behind this sorry flick. "Disturbia" brought me to Caruso's next helmed film "Eagle Eye" and while it wasn't anywhere as good as Disturbia it was a somewhat decent film thanks greatly to it's cast. Sadly "Number Four" didn"t have a great cast to save it. What was so upsetting about this movie though was that this story shouldn't have needed a great cast to carry this film. The story idea and premise is great but the execution was sorely lacking. So basically Caruso's films have gotten worse everytime out and he's losing me as a fan.

Starring the pathetically wooden Alex Pettyfer who plays John Smith an alien from the planet Lorien. He was one f the nine Lorien children sent here to earth after his planet was invaded by the Mogadorian's and each of the nine is blessed with a special gift that they were supposed to use to liberate their people back on Lorien once the nine has matured and mastered their "legacies". However, the "Mogs" don't enslave, they "decimate" which meant there was nothing for the nine to go back to save but the Mogs weren't just happy with slaying all the Loriens on their planet, they also want to kill the nine Lorien's on this planet. That's not as easy as it seems because each of the nine is protected by a guardian, a fellow Lorien but a soldier meant to protect them until they mature enough to be able to control their "legacies". John's guardian is Henri played by a seemingly uninspired Timothy Olyphant from the TV show "Justified".

Also starring in this underwhelming movie is mealy mouthed Dianna Argon who is the love interest "Sarah". Dianna while very attractive isn't the most articulate actress so some of her lines are hard to figure out. There is also Number Six played by Teresa Palmer, Kevin Durand who plays the giddy Mogadorian leader which does bring a chuckle or two to this otherwise humorless and passionless movie, and Callan McAuliffe who plays Sam, John's loyal sidekick. It's a cast of basically no names and their portrayals show that. This movie comes across completely flat when it had so much promise. Unlike the last two Caruso's films which were executive produced by Steven Spielberg, this one was overseen by Michael Bay and honestly he should stick to directing.

The movie was scored by Trevor Rabin and the music while trying to add drama and emotion to the film, it fell equally as flat as the movie it was married too. There will be a sequel if this movie does halfway decent business at the box office because Four and Six have plans but I would wait for that DVD if number II will arrive as flat as Number Four.

See you at the theater.