I actually knew very little about its plot before viewing I Am Number Four, other than it was a action film with a supernatural twist, and I think my viewing experience was the better for it – there were more surprises, and it was nice to let a story unfold for once without knowing exactly where it was headed.  So beware!  Though there aren’t any spoilers contained below, perhaps you’d prefer to tackle this really rather enjoyable film wihout knowing too many of the particulars. 

Then again, if you took that approach all the time I’d probably be forced to leave the house on occasion, and we can have that now can we?  I Am Number Four  sees model and actor Alex Pettyfer (Stormbreaker) star as ‘John Smith’, an alien who as a child was sent to Earth along with eight others in order to escape a race of murderous invaders known as the Mogadorians.  Despite the best efforts of his assigned protector (Timothy Olyphant, Hitman) the tousle-haired lad, otherwise known as Number 4, has been tracked down to a sleepy hamlet of Paradise, Ohio, and though he’s fallen for local hottie Sarah Hart (Glee’s Dianna Agron) and befriended a well-intentioned nerd (Callan McAuliffe) it looks like he’s going to have to flee for his life once more.  Then again, this time he may just decide to fight. 

Don’t be put off by the blatant grab at the youth demographic – I Am Number Four is a damn sight better than most fare being peddled to the tweenies these days.  It’s far more lucid and action-packed than Twilight, and it has the redeeming quality of not featuring mealy-mouthed sourpuss Kristen Stewart in a leading role.  Rather its leads are uniformly likeable and adroit – Olyphant is predictably strong (though seems destined to nevermore attain the lofty heights he reached on Deadwood) McAuliffe and Pettyfer play expertly off one another despite their limited filmic experience and Australian Teresa Palmer literally throws herself into her supporting role, having trained for as many weeks for her demanding part as nubile alien ass-kicker Number 6. 

Despite its mostly tepid reviews I Am Number Four isn’t number two.  It may be an unashamedly bombastic attempt at an action/sci fi summer blockbuster, but so what?  It’s plenty of fun, its heroes and villains each play their parts with equal aplomb and there’s enough substance, pseudo-science and silliness to satisfy even the most stalwart of action fans - and perhaps even their parents as well. 

Special Features

- Becoming Number Six, an 11-minute featurette which includes extensive BTS footage and interviews with Theresa Palmer and other key cast and creatives

- a 3-minute Blooper Reel