D.J. Caruso's I Am Number Four (2011) is a metaphysical movie released in movie theaters on February 18, 2011. The movie is based on Pitticus Lore's I Am Number Four novel. The I Am Number Four movie brings the nostalgia back with conveying the high school scene, a genre that ruled the 80's movie era. Screenwriters Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and Marti Noxon teamed up to deliver the I Am Number Four novel to the silver screen. D.J. Caruso's I Am Number Four movie captures the essence of science fiction interwoven with metaphysical themes. NASA's recent Keppler-22b planet discovery questions whether there is life outside of Earth. I Am Number Four sought after answering such questions.
Nine descendants of Lorien escape the wrath of the Mogodorians. Super teenager John Smith (Alex Pettyfer) known as Number Four travels with his guardian Henri (Timothy Olyphant) from town to town. All nine Lorien descendants separated with their guardians, journeying across the Earth to protect the last of their kind. The Numbers' each have a story to tell, but will they survive to tell their tale?
The Mogodorians kill number Three, a warning that John receives through an underwater vision. Two previous scars are embedded on his leg, conveying the murder of Number One and Number Two. The third death forms a third scar, though the vision is unlike the two previous deaths. John's unexplained underwater light show alerts Henri to immediately relocate again because new media travels rather quickly to alert the enemy of their possible location.
The ogre looking Mogodorians draw closer to John and Henri's. John narrates his story, telling moviegoers that he is Number Four, a descendent of Lorien. He explains the death of his planet, shares the tension of the three deaths and informs the audience he is next on the hit list. An unknown hot blond bike rider destroys the remaining evidence John and Henri leave behind. It is obvious she holds superhuman powers. The Mogodorians sniff the decoy evidence left behind, discovering that Number Four is still alive.
John and Henri settle in a countryside home located on the outskirts of Cleveland, Ohio. John decides to attend the local high school, blending in again to remain inconspicuous. He makes a "love at first sight" connection with the exquisite Sarah Hart (played by Dianna Agron) while registering at the administration office.
Sara is intrigued to meet John Smith, though she questions whether he is playing games with her on his real name. We all know John Smith is too common of a name. Sara feels a warmth that influences her to snapshot pictures of the new mystery student.
The Mogodorians travel along the country road with creatures. John meets high school friends, a few football jocks and a bullied student Sam (played Callen McAuliffe), who is a X-Files dreamer with the passion to discover the existence of life beyond Earth. The metaphysical theme explores the quest to answer questions about Sam's father's whereabouts. Are their Ancient astronauts? Was his father crazy for believing in Aliens?
John and Sara become good friends. While at the dinner table, John experiences a warming moment watching Sara's family laugh together. The happy atmosphere reminds John of a family connection he misses and wants. Sara invites John to her room. John tells Sara she is lucky to have a nice family while flipping through the pages of Sara's most secret picture collages. We realize these two teenagers are clearly infatuated with one another.
Sara's former boyfriend Mark James (played by Jake Abel) continues to bully Sam. John attempts to ignore Sara due to Mark firing off a verbal warning shot, but his temptation is too intense to let go of the girl he loves most. John roughs up the high school jocks at a nearby haunted amusement park. Sam discovers John is beyond physical. John and Sara kiss for the first time. It is obvious that John is excited after the kiss. He burns out the light posts on a downtown street. We feel the pure nature in a community atmosphere which is consistent with small towns. Another metaphysical movie Final Destination 3 portrays a Four of July gathering at the community park.
John informs Sam that his father's lifelong work is accurate, that there are Ancient astronauts. He asks Sam to keep everything secret to prevent trouble. Henri and John get involved into a fight, which John puts his superpower strength on display. Henri tells John that Lorien's love forever, therefore, Sara will always remain John's first and only love.
Sara wants to learn who John really is, text messaging, "Who are you"? Law enforcement attempt to apprehend John. In result, John flips the police cars back with his superpowers. Sara and teenagers watch in awe of the mind-boggling moment. We begin to think back to the Superman 2 movie when Christopher Reeve saves Metropolis in a city showdown.
Local UFO hunters kidnap Henri to honor their agreement established with the Mogodorians. John and Sam rescue Henri. However, the escape critically wounds Henri. John sadly watches Henri die in his arms, blowing away into the air as dust particles. Whereas we feel John is alone, we also discover he is ready to carry out the legacy of Lorien.
John and the blond Number Six girl team up to fight against the Mogodorians in a final showdown at the high school. John learns his dog is an actual protector sent from Lorien. The Power of Number Four and Number Six combined deliver super action in the climatic ending. The Mogodorians are destroyed, though more of their kind are already on path to kill the remaining descendants of Lorien. John says goodbye to Sara, sharing with her that his love is infinite. Sam joins Number Four and Number Six to venture out West. I Am Number Four leaves open a possible The Power of Six movie in the upcoming future.
D.J. Caruso's I Am Number Four delivers an action-packed metaphysical thrill ride. The acting performance is so surreal, moviegoers find the movie taking them on an astral travel journey into fantasy. You want to become John to get the girl and to hold unlimited powers. We all desire to be a part of something bigger than our existence. Humans question whether there is beyond Earth. NASA's Keppler-22b planet discovery demonstrates that distant planets may hold life forms as intelligent as humans.
The I Am Number movie conveys the metaphysics of being, depicting the Superman story of a distant superhuman Alien attempting to assimilate into human culture. Are we alone? Will distant travelers send us a signal? Can we astral project to witness the impossible? Watch I Am Number Four with an open mind to think beyond the state of being.
