Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
A teenage fugitive with an incredible secret races to stay one step ahead of the mysterious forces seeking destroy him in this sci-fi action thriller. With three dead and one on the run, the race to find the elusive Number Four begins. Outwardly normal teen John Smith never gets too comfortable in the same identity, and along with his guardian, Henri, he is constantly moving from town to town. With each passing day, John gains a stronger grasp on his extraordinary new powers, and his bond to the beings that share his fantastic fate grows stronger.
I Am Number Four is a fairly generic YA sci-fi adaptation that blends Twilight-style teen romance with alien fugitive action. The plot is formulaic — chosen-one teenager discovers powers, falls for a girl, faces vaguely defined villains — with little originality or depth. The acting is serviceable but unremarkable, with Alex Pettyfer delivering a flat lead performance and supporting characters feeling underdeveloped. Cinematography is competent with some decent action staging and visual effects work, though nothing distinctive. Novelty is low; the film recycles familiar YA tropes without adding a distinctive voice or concept. The ending sets up a sequel that never came, leaving the narrative feeling incomplete and unsatisfying.