An amalgamation of better movies, I Am Number Four suffers from an acute case of slick film, wrong decade.

Much like last yeas Percy Jackson, here is another movie with ambitions to fill the eventual void left by the Twilight and Harry Potter franchises.

Based on the popular teen science-fiction book co-written by Jobie Hughes and James Frey (the latter infamously crucified on Oprah for making up segments of his bestselling memoir), I Am Number Four had the potential to be a sci-fi classic.... if it were released in the eighties, with its tone and story of intergalactic rivals duking it out in America’s heartland reminiscent of films in that era.  

While it features a charismatic leading man, cool villains and fine VFX work, the rest of the film feels like a patch work of popular sci-fi/fantasy movies: Super powered teen dealing with high school drama (Twilight). Lone son of deceased parents living up to chosen one status (Harry Potter). Extraterrestrial looking for a place to belong while channelling super abilities in the mid west (Superman).  

On top of this, I Am Number Four also suffers from origin-ites, plodding along with its supposed spectacular reveals anything but, since we have seen it all before.

Burgeoning actor Alex Pettyfer stars as John, the fourth of nine super powered alien beings from the extinct planet of Lorien. Accompanied by guardian and mentor Henri (Timothy Henri), the pair travel from state to state under varied aliases, trying to keep one step ahead of evil persecutors the Mogadorians, ugly extraterrestrial mo-fo’s lead by a sadistically funny Kevin Durand.  

When they land in an unassuming Midwestern town, John falls in love with sweet and pretty Sarah (Diana Aggron), and with his new found powers decides to take a stand against his oppressors.  

It is at this point that the film shakes itself from the chains of its origin story, and becomes the big, stupid fun action adventure it promised in its trailers. Director D.J. Caruso handles action well, and the third act of I Am Number Four is a fun, exciting watch, featuring a leather clad Teresa Palmer in kick ass road warrior mode, no doubt a sly tribute to her Australian heritage.    

Mad Max. Another superior film thread into this tapestry.