When I discovered the sci-fi novel, "I Am Number Four", which has now been released as a movie, I thought it sounded like an interesting read.
I am not a big science fiction fan, but the book was on the New York Times young adult best seller list for seven weeks after being released last August and it seemed to be full of suspense, which I love.
The story of "I Am Number Four" follows a teenage alien, Number Four (a.k.a. John Smith) who seems just like a human. He has been living on Earth since his home planet of Lorien was destroyed by another race of aliens, the Mogadorians, who are now trying to kill him along with eight other children that escaped the planet.
The movie, directed by D.J. Caruso (Eagle Eye), was released in theaters Feb. 18. "I Am Number Four" came in number two in the box office last weekend with $19.4 million, $2 million behind "Unknown" with Liam Neeson.
I was excited to go see this movie after reading the book. The novel had really kept me interested with the perfect amount of drama, romance, suspense and action.
The movie, however, was a disappointment. Of course, it isn't hard for me to be disappointed with a screen adaptation of a book I like.
But I was expecting something that followed the story line just a little bit closer, kind of like Harry Potter movies (or even, dare I say, Twilight). I was literally writhing in my seat because of some of the ridiculous additions and alterations in "I Am Number Four."
John deals with the same issues as many teens, such as bullies, making friends, controlling parents (even though Henri only acts as his father) and falling in love for the first time.
I dislike that the movie doesn't focus on the relationships between the main characters as much as the book. Of course there is not enough time in a two-hour movie to explain all the details, but I really liked the complexity that the book tied into all the characters' stories.
Caruso definitely took some creative freedom with this film. He kept the basic plot, but switched around the story and added many scenes that were not in the book.
I expected the usual extra focus on action that movies like to add, but this movie made it seem like the majority of the story was a battle scene.
The book was balanced between John's hiding and gaining his powers, his relationships and fighting off the Mogadorians. The movie shows him getting his powers immediately and it doesn't seem like he is really worried about hiding anymore.
There is a scene that shows him stopping a police car that is headed straight toward him, flipping it on its nose in the air with his telekinesis. If you were an alien with special powers who had large, vicious Mogadorians chasing after you, would you jeopardize your life so you could show off?
Neither did John, in the book.
The movie seems dumbed-down. There is not even much to make simpler, because the book is an easy read.
"I Am Number Four" is just the first installment of the Lorien Legacies by Pittacus Lore, the pen name for writers James Frey ("A Million Little Pieces") and Jobie Hughes.
The second novel, The Power of Six, will be released Aug. 23, 2011. The movie ended with hints of continuing to film the series, but I'm not sure if I could handle another of these movies.
Don't get me wrong, I like the fact that someone thinks that a book I enjoy is good enough to make into a movie. I feel as though movies based on books I have read are a must-see.
I like to see how the screenwriter, director and cast make it theirs, because they do have that freedom. But you shouldn't fix something if it's not broken, right?
I do think that the cast in "I Am Number Four" is good. John Smith is played by Alex Pettyfer with Glee's Dianna Agron as his love-interest. Timothy Olyphant plays John's guardian, Henri.
Henri is my favorite character in both the book and novel because he is smart, funny and has John's best interest in mind, as well as trying to restore his home planet.
I like that the cast was not formed of actors who audiences are tired of seeing in the spotlight. It makes their characters relatable.
The movie gives more details at the beginning that would be better kept secret until the end. It should give the audience a chance to figure out some of the mystery on their own.
The book is much more suspenseful than the film.
Any part of the movie I did like was just because that part of the book was good. I think that the film might be more enjoyable for someone who has not read the novel, or someone that doesn't care if the story is butchered.
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