I Am Number Four (film)

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I Am Number Four
I Am Number Four Poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by D. J. Caruso
Produced by Michael Bay
Screenplay by Alfred Gough
Miles Millar
Marti Noxon
Based on I Am Number Four 
by Pittacus Lore
Starring Alex Pettyfer
Timothy Olyphant
Teresa Palmer
Dianna Agron
Callan McAuliffe
Kevin Durand
Jake Abel
Music by Trevor Rabin
Cinematography Guillermo Navarro
Editing by Jim Page
Vince Filippone
Studio DreamWorks Studios
Reliance Big Entertainment
Bay Films
Distributed by Touchstone Pictures
(Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Release date(s)
  • February 18, 2011 (2011-02-18)
Running time 109 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $50 million[1]
Box office $145,982,798[2]

I Am Number Four is a 2011 American teen action science fiction film, directed by D. J. Caruso, starring Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer, Dianna Agron and Callan McAuliffe. The screenplay by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and Marti Noxon is loosely based on the novel I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore.

The film was produced by Michael Bay through DreamWorks and released by DreamWorks through Disney's Touchstone distribution label. The Hollywood Reporter projected the budget to be between $50 and $60 million. The film was released in both conventional and IMAX theatres on February 18, 2011.[3]

Contents

Plot [edit]

See also: I Am Number Four#Plot synopsis

John Smith (Alex Pettyfer) is an alien from the planet Lorien. He was sent to Earth as a child with eight others to escape the invading Mogadorians, who destroyed Lorien. Here, John is protected by a Guardian, Henri (Timothy Olyphant), and has developed "legacies", including enhanced strength, speed and agility, telekinesis and the power to transmit plasma light through his hands.

The Mogadorians, led by the Commander (Kevin Durand) learn about the nine children and come to Earth to find them. The Loriens can only be killed in sequence; Number One through Number Nine, though, and three of them are already dead, with John being Number Four. Knowing this, he and Henri move from a beachside bungalow in Florida to an old farm in Paradise, Ohio, where John befriends conspiracy theorist Sam Goode (Callan McAuliffe) and a dog which he names Bernie Kosar. He also falls for an amateur photographer, Sarah Hart (Dianna Agron). Her ex-boyfriend, football player Mark James (Jake Abel) is a bully who torments both John and Sam.

During the Spring Fair, Mark and his friends chase Sarah and John into the woods, where they try to beat John up. However, he uses his legacies to fend them off and rescue Sarah. Sam witnesses this and how he'd used his legacies. John reveals his true origins to Sam. The next day, Mark's father, the local sheriff, interrogates Henri on John's whereabouts when his son and his friends were attacked.

Henri tells John that too many people are suspicious of them so they have to leave. John refuses because of Sarah. Meanwhile the Mogadorians continue searching for John, while being trailed by another Lorien, Number Six (Teresa Palmer) who is also trying to locate Number Four. Number Six's guardian was killed, and she realizes that the remaining six of the Lorien Garde will have to team up and fight against the Mogadorians. She knows Number Three is dead and that Number Four is being hunted.

The Mogadorians eventually locate John and manipulate two conspiracy theorists into capturing Henri. When John and Sam go to rescue him, they are attacked but manage to fend the Mogadorians off. However, Henri dies after John and Sam escape with some Lorien artifacts, including a blue rock that acts as a tracking device for other Loriens. Sam's father, a conspiracy theorist who disappeared while hunting aliens in Mexico, had another of the rocks. While Sam searches for it, John tries to say goodbye to Sarah at a party, only to discover that the Mogadorians have framed him and Henri for the murders of the conspiracy theorists. Mark sees John and calls his father, who corners John and Sarah. John saves Sarah from a fall, revealing his powers in the process, and they escape to their high school.

Meanwhile, The Commander arrives in Paradise, in a convoy of trucks. He is confronted by Mark and his father, and after injuring the sheriff, he forces Mark to show him where John is hiding. Mark takes him to the school, which he knows is Sarah's hideout.

There, John, Sarah and Sam are attacked by the Mogadorians, who brought two giant monsters to hunt the trio. They are saved by Number Six and Bernie, who is actually a shapeshifting Chimera sent by John's biological parents to protect him. John and Number Six, who can teleport and can block energy attacks, continue to fight the Mogadorians. They eventually defeat them all, including the Commander.

The following day, John and Number Six unite their blue rocks and discover the location of the other four surviving Loriens. John decides to let Sam come with them in hopes of finding Sam's father. They set off to find the others so they can all protect Earth from the Mogadorians, leaving Sarah and a repentant Mark, who lies to his father about John's whereabouts and returns a box left to John by his Dad that was in police evidence.

John leaves after promising to return to Paradise and to Sarah.

Cast [edit]

In March 2010, Alex Pettyfer was in talks to play the title character in the film, Number Four.[4] It was later confirmed that the 21-year-old British actor would play the lead.[5] Sharlto Copley was going to star as Henri, Number Four's guardian and mentor, but had to drop out due to press obligations with his film The A-Team. Copley was replaced by Timothy Olyphant.[6] Kevin Durand plays the villain of the film, Commander, an alien who leads the hunt of the escaped aliens on Earth.[7]

DreamWorks Studios went through multiple rounds of tests to find the right actress for the female romantic lead. Dianna Agron, a star in the Fox television series Glee, won the role. She plays Sarah Hart, a girl who used to date a high school football player, but falls for Number Four and keeps his secret.[8] Jake Abel plays the football player, Mark James, an antagonist in the film.[9] Teresa Palmer plays another alien, Number Six, and 16-year-old Australian actor Callan McAuliffe plays Sam Goode, Number Four's best friend.[10]

Production [edit]

Development [edit]

The movie was produced by DreamWorks Studios and Reliance Entertainment.Film producer and director Michael Bay brought the manuscript of the teen book I Am Number Four to Stacey Snider and Steven Spielberg at DreamWorks Studios. A bidding war developed for the film rights between DreamWorks and J.J. Abrams, with DreamWorks winning the rights in June 2009, with the intention of having Bay produce and possibly direct the project.[11][12] The rights were purchased with the hope of attracting teenage fans of the Twilight saga films,[13] and the potential of establishing a film franchise, with at least six more installments planned by the book's publisher.[14]

Al Gough and Miles Millar, the creators of the television series Smallville, were hired to write the screenplay in August 2009.[15] Marti Noxon, writer and producer for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, also contributed to the screenplay. D. J. Caruso was brought on to direct in early 2010, after Bay opted to focus on directing the third film of the Transformers series. Caruso had been selected by Spielberg to direct Disturbia and Eagle Eye for DreamWorks, and had success with both films.[16] Caruso had less than a year to prepare, shoot and edit the film, due to a worldwide release date set for Presidents Day weekend.[14]

Chris Bender, J.C. Spink and David Valdes executive produced the film.[17] Steven Spielberg contributed to the film's characters, but did not take a credit on the film.[16] It was the first DreamWorks film to be released by Disney's Touchstone Pictures label, as part of the 30-picture distribution deal between DreamWorks and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.[18] The film was also the first release for DreamWorks after the studio's financial restructuring in 2008.[16]

Filming [edit]

Filming began on May 17, 2010, using 20 locations all within the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.[19][20] DreamWorks selected the area primarily due to tax incentives from the Pennsylvania Film Production Tax Credit.[17] The film studio also had a positive experience shooting She's Out of My League in Pittsburgh in 2008. The production was scheduled to last 12 to 13 weeks.[21]

A sign welcoming cast and crew to Vandergrift, Pennsylvania.

Cinematographer Guillermo Navarro shot the film on 35 mm, using a format known as Super 1:85.[22] Beaver, the former Conley Inn in Homewood, and nearby Buttermilk Falls were used as locations in the film; interior and exterior scenes were shot near a boat launch in Monaca.[23] A spring fair scene was filmed in Deer Lakes Park in West Deer; Port Vue, North Park, New Kensington and Hyde Park were also used as locations.[17][20][24] The setting of the film's fictional town of Paradise, Ohio is Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, where filming took place from June to July 2010.[25] Producers chose Vandergrift as the "hero town" of the film because of its unique look and curved streets, laid out by Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of New York City's Central Park.[20]

Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville was chosen over 50 other schools in the area, due to its proximity to nearby woods, a part of the film's plot, and its surrounding hills. The school was also selected for its one floor layout, wide hallways, and its football stadium in front.[17][26] Teachers and recent graduates appear in the film, and a set that replicates the school was built in a studio in Monroeville for filming explosion scenes.[27] In the last few weeks of production, scenes were filmed at the 200-year-old St. John's Lutheran Stone Church in Lancaster Township.[28] Additional filming took place in the Florida Keys in the beginning of the film in Big Pine Key, Florida as well as the spanning of the drive over the bridge showcases the keys 7 mile bridge.[29]

Post-production [edit]

I Am Number Four was edited by Jim Page, with Industrial Light & Magic developing the visual effects for the alien creatures.[30] It was director D. J. Caruso's first extensive use of computer-enhanced special effects.[14] The film was scored by former Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin.[31]

Release [edit]

A teaser trailer for the film was issued in late September 2010,[32] and a full length trailer premiered on December 8.[30] Advertisements ran in Seventeen and Teen Vogue magazines, and Disney released a promotional iPhone app in January 2011.[12] Disney has also developed a lot of Internet content to target a teen audience with their marketing campaign.[14] A cast tour, in association with American retailer Hot Topic, and cast media appearances were scheduled to lead up to the release of the film.[12]

I Am Number Four premiered at the Village Theatre in Los Angeles on February 9, 2011. The film was released in theaters on February 18, 2011, and was also released in the IMAX format.[3][30]

Reception [edit]

Box office [edit]

The film earned $55,100,437 at the North American box office and an estimated $90,882,360 overseas, for a worldwide total of $145,982,797.[2] It topped the worldwide box office on its second weekend (February 25–27, 2011) with $28,086,805.[33][34]

The film opened at number two in the USA and Canada with a gross of $19,449,893. In its second weekend it dropped 43.4%, earning $11,016,126.[2] The only other market where it has grossed over $10 million is China. It began in third place with $3.4 million, but had an increase of 91% in its second week, therefore topping the box office with $6.4 million. In its third week, it decreased by 21% to $5.0 million. As of March 27, 2011, it has grossed $17,328,244.[35]

[icon] This section requires expansion. (March 2011)

Critical response [edit]

The film received generally negative reviews from critics.

Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 32% based on 156 reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 10. [36]

Metacritic gave it a score of 36, based on 30 reviews.[37]

Roger Ebert gave the film one and a half stars and wrote, "I Am Number Four is shameless and unnecessary...Why audiences enjoy watching protracted sequences of senseless action mystifies me" and felt that there were many unanswered questions and inconsistencies throughout the film.[38]

Empire Magazine gave the film 3 stars and said, "If you can make it through the bland schmaltz of the first half you'll be rewarded with a spectacular blast of sustained action and the promise of even better to come. This could be the start of something great." [39]

[icon] This section requires expansion. (February 2011)

Home media [edit]

The film was released by Touchstone Home Entertainment on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download on May 24, 2011.[40][41] The release was produced in three different packages: a 3-disc Blu-ray, DVD, and "Digital Copy" combo pack, a 1-disc Blu-ray, and a 1-disc DVD.[42][43] The "Digital Copy" included with the 3-disc version is a stand-alone disc that allows users to play the film from any location via iTunes or Windows Media Player. All versions include bloopers and the "Becoming Number 6" feature, while the 1-disc Blu-ray and 3-disc Blu-ray, DVD, and "Digital Copy" combo pack versions additionally include six deleted scenes with an introduction from the director, D.J. Caruso.[42][44] In its first three weeks of release, 316,081 Blu-ray units were sold in the US, bringing in $7,693,808. As of October 2, 2011, the standard DVD of 'I am Number Four' has sold 767,692 copies in the United States, generating $12,571,326, and thus bringing the total gross to $166,247,931.[45]

References [edit]

  1. ^ Fritz, Ben; Kaufman, Amy (February 17, 2011). "Movie Projector: 'I Am Number Four' to be No. 1 at holiday weekend box office [Updated]". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved February 18, 2011. 
  2. ^ a b c "I Am Number 4". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 29 March 2011. 
  3. ^ a b Schooley, Tim (April 7, 2010). "DreamWorks production of "I Am Number Four" to shoot in Pittsburgh". Pittsburgh Business Times. Retrieved June 5, 2010. 
  4. ^ McNary, Dave; McClintock, Pamela (March 31, 2010). "Alex Pettyfer circles DreamWorks' 'Number Four'". Variety. Retrieved June 5, 2010. 
  5. ^ "Alex Pettyfer Says I Am Number Four". EmpireOnline.com. April 1, 2010. Retrieved June 5, 2010. 
  6. ^ Bartyze, Monika (May 12, 2010). "Sharlto Copley Ditches 'I Am Number Four' Over Lack of Alien Costume?". Cinematical.com. Retrieved June 5, 2010. 
  7. ^ Kit, Borys (May 7, 2010). ""Lost" Baddie Kevin Durand Books Two Sci-Fi Movies". ABC News. Retrieved June 8, 2010. [dead link]
  8. ^ "'Glee' star Dianna Agron to join sci-fi movie 'I Am Number Four'". The Hollywood Reporter. April 29, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2010. [dead link]
  9. ^ "MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet Interviews with Jake Abel (I AM NUMBER FOUR) and Nicola Peltz (THE LAST AIRBENDER)". Collider.com. June 7, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2010. 
  10. ^ "Callan McAuliffe cast in U.S. action flick". UPI.com. May 21, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2010. 
  11. ^ Fernandez, Jay A. (June 26, 2009). "Michael Bay in 'I Am Number Four' deal". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 9, 2010. [dead link]
  12. ^ a b c Sellers, John A. (January 6, 2011). "Movie Alert: 'I Am Number Four'". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved January 20, 2011. 
  13. ^ "Is 'I Am No. 4' the Next 'Twilight'?". Retrieved 2010-12-09. 
  14. ^ a b c d Alter, Ethan (January 26, 2011). "The alien next door: D.J. Caruso makes sci-fi debut with 'I Am Number Four'". Film Journal International. Retrieved January 26, 2011. 
  15. ^ Reynolds, Simon (August 27, 2009). "'Smallville' duo to write Bay's 'Number Four'". Digital Spy. Retrieved June 5, 2010. 
  16. ^ a b c Cieply, Michael; Barnes, Brooke (October 31, 2010). "Spielberg and DreamWorks Energize the Magic Machine Anew". The New York Times. Retrieved November 2, 2010. 
  17. ^ a b c d Bailey, Laurie (June 24, 2010). "An alien ticket to Paradise: Movie crew invades Franklin Regional". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved June 24, 2010. 
  18. ^ Variety: Disney signs deal with DreamWorks Company will handle distribution for films, Variety, February 9, 2009
  19. ^ "The East at a glance". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. May 20, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2010. 
  20. ^ a b c Yerace, Tom (April 6, 2010). "Vandergrift's architecture lures big-budget film". Valley News Dispatch. Retrieved June 5, 2010. 
  21. ^ Vancheri, Barabara (April 23, 2010). "DreamWorks film, "I Am Number Four," begins shooting here next month". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved June 4, 2010. 
  22. ^ Weintraub, Steve (December 8, 2010). "D.J. Caruso Interview I Am Number Four Plus Edit Bay Visit Recap". Collider.com. Retrieved December 8, 2010. 
  23. ^ Tady, Scott (May 27, 2010). "Movie magic almost as exciting as catfish". Beaver County Times. Retrieved June 4, 2010. 
  24. ^ Barkousky, Len (June 2, 2010). "Allegheny County Council OKs movie filming in two parks". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved June 4, 2010. 
  25. ^ Skena, Rossilynne (June 3, 2010). "Vandergrift locations part of week's 'Number Four' film shoot". Valley News Dispatch. Retrieved June 4, 2010. 
  26. ^ "'I Am Number Four' Movie To Shoot In Murrysville". WTAE-TV. May 5, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2010. 
  27. ^ Rittmeyer, Brian C. (February 6, 2011). "'I Am Number Four' offers many Western Pennsylvania locations". Valley News Dispatch. Retrieved February 8, 2011. 
  28. ^ Keener, Craig (July 22, 2010). "Stone Church site of sci-fi film". Butler Eagle. 
  29. ^ Fay, Francis X., Jr. (October 1, 2010). "NHSAA Wall of Honor Hollywood director was All-State tennis player". The Hour. Retrieved October 3, 2010. 
  30. ^ a b c "DJ Caruso Talks I Am Number Four". Empire. December 8, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2010. 
  31. ^ "Edit Bay Visit: I Am Number Four with D.J. Caruso". movieweb.com. December 7, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2010. 
  32. ^ Staskiewicz, Keith (September 29, 2010). "'I Am Number Four' trailer: Glowing hands and flipping cars". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 3, 2010. 
  33. ^ "Overseas Total Box Office". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2011-04-20. 
  34. ^ "I Am Number Four". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2011-04-20. 
  35. ^ "China Box Office Index". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2011-04-21. 
  36. ^ "I Am Number Four Movie Reviews". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved 2012-03-13. 
  37. ^ "I Am Number Four Reviews". Metacritic. CBS. Retrieved 2012-03-13. 
  38. ^ Ebert, Roger (16 February 2011). "I Am Number Four review". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved 26 February 2011. 
  39. ^ "I Am Number Four Review". Empire Magazine. Bauer Consumer Media. Retrieved 11 November 2011. 
  40. ^ McCutcheon, David (8 April 2011). "I Am Number Four on DVD, BD". IGN. Retrieved 19 April 2011. 
  41. ^ "I Am Number Four Aims for Number One on DVD and Blu-ray This May". Movies.com. 7 April 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011. 
  42. ^ a b "New Release: I Am Number Four DVD and Blu-ray pre-order". Disc Dish. 1 April 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2011. 
  43. ^ Gallagher, Brian (12 April 2011). "I Am Number Four Blu-ray and DVD Hit on May 24th". MovieWeb. Retrieved 18 April 2011. 
  44. ^ Moore, Jason (11 April 2011). "I Am Number Four Hits DVD and Blu-ray Combo Pack In May". SciFi Mafia. Retrieved 18 April 2011. 
  45. ^ I am Number Four - DVD Sales

External links [edit]

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