I Am Number Four

Our hero is Number Four (on a list of fugitive aliens) and as there are six or seven of them being hunted, I think this might be a series in the making. I wouldn't mind, except I'd like to see a certain character return from the dead.

Who? I'll tell you in a minute, let's start with the cast:

• Alex Pettyfer ("Beastly") is Number Four, protected by a warrior assigned to the task back on their home planet. Our hero passes as a high-school student but must pull up stakes at a moment's notice when assassins start to close in.
• Timothy Olyphant ("Elektra Luxx") is Number Four's protector; if there is a sequel, I want him back! Yeah, I know - Spoiler Alert!
• Teresa Palmer ("The Sorcerer's Apprentice") is a gutsy and determined Number Six, trying to spare our hero the lot of a doomed Number Three and his ill-fated protector!
• Callan McAuliffe ("Flipped") is a lonely nerd with a Kick Me sign on his back; he is the butt of high school bullies and longs to track down his missing father.
• Dianna Agron ("Glee") is the high-school classmate who makes our hero want to stick around, even if he is in jeopardy.

Director D.J. Caruso ("Disturbia" and "Eagle Eye") knows how to keep a plot boiling; he is ably assisted by writers Alfred Gough ("Shanghai Knights") and Miles Millar ("Lethal Weapon"). They provide many Don't go in the Basement! -type moments and for dessert, a sweet stray dog is rescued by our hero.

We see lots of fisticuffs, special effects, gunshots, and blowie uppie stuff. We don't see any sweaty bodies, car chases, or hear much profanity.

Full disclosure? I only bought a ticket because I like to look at Pettyfer and Olyphant. Shhh... That's just between the two of us...smile...