"I Am Number Four" Movie Trailer Review

"I Am Number Four"

Movie Trailer Review

By our guest blogger, Matthew Schimkowitz

In the trailer for "I am Number Four," director David Caruso primes us for the convoluted superhero mythology to come. A mysterious narrator rattles off the deaths of three unknown people and how he will soon be next.

Based on the surprisingly not-so-graphic novel by Jobie Hughes and James Frey, "I am Number Four" follows the misadventures of Number Four, a mutant hunted by a special operative task force. Along the way, he finds himself blending in at a local high school, where he takes on the crafty pseudonym “John Smith.”

Caruso gives us some hints at Number Four’s history throughout the trailer, but it only serves as unnecessary exposition. The story itself appears quite simple: The military hunts down superheroes before the public finds out about them, so these mutants live on the lamb. The mythology Caruso looks to create already appears convoluted and boring, so it’s best to stick to the basics.

And, boy, does he ever.

After we get past the trailer's first 45-seconds, Number Four releases in "Iron Man"-like action lasers flying from the titular character’s hands and cars exploding ad-naseum. There’s also an inkling of romance, as well, so we can all look forward to Number Four or John Smith or Jumper saving his damsel in distress from the clutches of the Government.

"I am Number Four" looks like standard superhero fare at its worst. The kind where a mythology is created in lieu of depth and where clichés determine the outcome for the characters. It’s still a bit early to say, but if this film is half as dull as this trailer, they might as well tack on “Fantastic Four” to the title and call it a day.

Watch the trailer below.  What are your thoughts?