Well, as I just mentioned on my twitter feed (yeah, it's still there....even though I forget....) I saw the movie for I Am Number Four today! This is my first Book vs. Movie in a LONG time, so I might set things up differently for now, see how I like it, and stick to it in the future.
Movie Review
Overall, the movie itself was decent. I think that had you not read the book, things could be kind of confusing, but not so bad that you couldn't follow the story. The movie seemed kind of rushed, so you didn't really get attached to the characters (I am mainly referring to Henri), but the high school kids did a great job as acting like high school kids. Especially Sam. The movie didn't have terribly intense fight scenes, the main characters were usually able to win without much trouble. (One funny thing was that John has the same text ring-tone that I do, so the first few times that he got a text, I checked my pocket before realizing that it was his phone, not mine.)
The Good
The only actor that really seemed to fit the look of the character was Sam. He definitely looked the right age, talked like a high school student, and was good at being picked on. He didn't wear his NASA shirt or his dad's glasses, but those are minor details.
I am very glad that they started the movie with the death of Number Three. I'm not meaning to sound morbid, but this was an effective beginning to the book, and I'm glad that the movie kept it. They messed up a few details, but every movie will.
The haunted hay ride was pretty good. It was supposed to have more people on the ride, and the fight was supposed to last a little longer, but it was one of the more accurate scenes.
My last thing to add is that I LOVED Bernie Kosar (The dog, not the poster. Come on, that should be obvious.) I am definitely a dog person, so the happy little dog following John made me happy. (I didn't like his morph to the giant dog monster though.)
The Bad and the Ugly
I must say that the choice in actors was very poor in this movie. Not that they did a bad job, but they didn't look the part. John was supposed to be fifteen years old, just a sophomore in high school, and he looked like he should be a sophomore or older in COLLEGE. Personally, I pictured him being a little less muscular, a LOT less popular, and obviously much younger.
Henri should have been older and in my opinion, bigger. Not like fat, but just big. Also, he and John needed to be much closer to each other.
Sarah just wasn't what I pictured. I'm not sure how to describe how she looked, but something was off for me in her character. Also, she was supposed to be more popular in general. As for her personality, she should have been less mysterious and more outgoing, friendly, and open about her feelings.
Number Six wasn't the worst character, but she was trying to be way to cool/sexy. I definitely pictured her on that side of the spectrum, but it was overdone. She needed to be more normal and a little less rude.
That is about it for me ranting on characters.
I am really frustrated that they gave NO back-story on Lorien. John and Henri were supposed to have the dreams about it as well as frequently talk about it. Also, the two had very little training time, and John lacked a few legacies....that was a very bad mistake.
The fact that Henri died early really bothered me, but not as much as if would have if they actually developed him as a character in the movie to make the viewer actually care about him! In the book I was crushed, but in the movie I didn't really care.
Aside from the whole story being rushed, and the movie could have added another 45 minutes without being too long, my main disappointment was the final battle with the Mogadorians. The only thing I liked about the way they were portrayed were the awesome coats. Those are exactly what I pictured, but as for the weird tatoos and nose slits, I'm not buying it. I saw them as big, and still probably bald, but their eyes to me were dark and they had big red marks around their eyes, like they got punched really hard by some tough Lorien. And their monsters were pathetic. Honestly?!?!?! They were big, mutant bats! To me, they were like giant, three-story tall humanoid beasts that were incredibly strong but not particularly smart or agile. And Bernie Kosar was supposed to be a giant lizard if I remember correctly. The whole fight scene was WAY too short and left out a TON. This could have made the movie, but they messed it up.
Closing Thoughts
When I left the movie, I really thought it was okay, as a movie. As I sit here and remember all of the things they screwed up, I am liking it less and less. Many things that I didn't even mention for the sake of time were left out of the movie or just not explained. I think that someone who hasn't read the book would be a little confused, and those that have will be disappointed. Will I watch it again? Yeah, most likely. I love the story enough that even a messed up variation makes me happy, but I would rather just get the next book.
Hope you enjoyed the post, and please tell me what you thought of the movie!
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33 comments:
I agree. The thing is I liked thought Number 6 would also be like normal and not you know. The Sam without glasses thing was kind of an importance. I'm pretty disappointed on the time John met Sarah, Sam, and Mark scene. The acting was well thought off. But the movie was so so and the book was awesome. When the hunger games movie comes out, review it and the book Kay?
I saw the movie before I read the book. After the movie I thought I had slept through an important part of the movie because I felt like I missed something. I started to do a little wiki about the movie but found out there was a book... Got the ebook, loaded it on my tablet and started to read. Read the entire book in one sitting... How can you do a movie without major parts of the story!? In my opinion don't waste your time on the movie, read the book.
i agree.. the book was so much better.. if micheal bay would have directed it, it would have been 10x's better
I agree with almost everything you said, Loved the book but was a little disappointed in the movie. I really wish John and Henri had a closer relationship in the movie as well, as when he died early in the movie it didn't make much of an impact. The movie seemed to go by so fast and missed out so much, just finished reading the second book, can't wait for the third.
I just finished the book AND the movie today, so, my thoughts are fresh!
Liked the book. The movie in comparison to the book = Butchered and Corny. You're exactly right that they didn't build any of the characters enough for the audience to grow any attachment - so why even bother with the movie? I wouldn't go to any movie sequel if i feel nothing for the characters.
The attempt for comic relief with the Mogadorians was a mistake. Their sarcasm and playful jokes (like scaring the boy in the car) made me not take their viciousness seriously.
I felt like they held true to the book in the beginning...but then they realized they were running out of time and gave up on the storyline to fit it into 109 minutes.
I thought the point of making a book into a movie is to amplify and build the existing fan-base...not push them away by bastardizing the origins of it.
Ok.....let me just say that I read the book first and the movie was NOTHING like it. Nothing. Nevermind the acting or character cast, I could get over that if the plot followed the movie better. I would really like to give the screen play writer a piece of my mind. Awesome book, forgettable movie. SO sorry Pittucus Lore!!
I actually got really mad when I watched the movie. For one, Sarah was just not what I pictured. I pictured, a sweet innocent girl, Mark I pictured much more "jocky" and John was just... not okay, and I pictured number 6 black. they all looked to old. they're supposed to be 16!! now, the events?!? ugh! *spoiler alert* Henri and John (#4) needed to be wwaayyyy closer. they never did the training, (one of my fav parts) The creatures did not look like they were supposed to, nor did the dog's other selves. Mark wasn't in the school AT ALL, they did the fight in the forest wrong, the didn't light Marks house on fire, they didn't talk about the chest at all, they made it seem like #4 didn't know anything about his legacies, and the part that made me the most mad, the killed Henri in a random ass spot! I mean, wtf was that?!?! sorry. I really had to rant. ^_^
I have to agree with everything mentioned here. We never got attatched to Henri, he died so quick. I didn't care in the movie, in the book I was heart broken. I disliked the way there was no fire in James' house, and how Sarah discovered John's his secret.....and in comparison to the book, Sarah and Johns relationship in the book was so intense!
As I also agree that the whole movie was rushed, especially with the final scenes.
The characters were too young! Im a year younger than John and Sarah and therefore i felt a connection to them. But in the movie they're too old!
I do agree that the film wasn't the worst though! It had some nice action!
If you have read the book. Don't watch the movie. It's plot strays far away from the book.
I agree with all of you guys BUT I'm surprised that no one else saw that: WHY DID #6 HAVE #4's LEGACY???!!! 4 was supposed to be fireproof not 6 like what was that for? and if they plan to make the second movie well let's just say that it will be even worse if they've already confused their powers... 6 was supposed to be able to control the 4 elements and be invisible. 4 is fireproof, has lumen and can communicate with animals. The telekinisis is a power that all numbers have and they did not elaborate on that at all :/ Nobody else noticed that?
I loved the books in the series but when I watched the movie I thought I skipped something. They never talked about his resistance to fire or the chest. Four and Henri never even trained together. Things happened at wrong times and many things were left out. After reading the next two books in the series I can say that some things they left out will matter.
I noticed that too. 6 can control fire but 4 is fire resistant
I watched the movie after the I read the first three books in the series. As I watched the beginning it looked good and I liked the beginning. Then I got up to the part when four gets his lumen and it went south. First four and henri never trained and they never even talk about the chest and for some reason theyre always fighting. Then Henri doesnt say to four they're leaving until after the house burns down in the book but in the movie he says it after the hayride. I thought the hayride scene was good. But then they combined the next three scenes into one. First they go to they walk among us then the house party and then the school in the same nIght. They're supposed to happen on different days. Henri dies at the wrong part and those rock things don't exist. The house doesn't burn down and then they go to the school and they don't even explain why. This part bothers me the most. They forgot about fours fire legacy and gave it to six. She's supposed to have invisibility and elemental control. After reading the next I'll just say that these details matter.
I read the book and the other two books before I saw the movie. I thought the beginning of the movie was good but once it got up to the part with his Lumen it got worse. First, Henri and Four never even trained together. They didnt open the chest and they didnt even mention Fours resistance to fire legacy. The movie became more rushed and it became confusing. I liked the hayride scene but after that Henri says they are leaving. He's not supposed to do that until the party. In the movie Henri and Four never became that close. Then they combined the next three parts into one night. THEY WALK AMONG US, where Henri dies at the wrong spot, the house party, which doesnt burn down, and the school scene. Since they combined this into one part they dont even mention why they went to the school. Then this part bothers me the most: they gave six fours legacy! All she has is elemental control and invisibility. Four is resistant to heat, animal telepathy and has lumen. Also did anyone noticed they changed Sams last name from Goode to Spellman?
I agree with you guys and I've read the first three books and some stuff they left out matters in the next books.
OMG Thank you person above me! That pissed me off more than anything. I can deal with the kinda off actors obviously they just wanted good looking people. I can deal with the rushed ending, it's a movie they're not gonna get all the details but you can't just make stuff up and switch it around. If I had not read the book first I would have thought the movie was so-so but since I did it was absolutely horrible! Basically just read the book don't deal with the movie. PS just finished the third book... EPIC!
im 12 amd i watcched the movie but after reading these comments i think ill have to read the books im a total book nut and i allways enjoy books better than movie so i hope it will be a good read
wow- okay cool, im so glad i found this blog post thing, cuz i love the I am number four book series, and have lots to say on the matter! i just finished reading the third (fourth is coming out this summer!!!) and last night i watched the movie. Just like e/o else, i had hope for it in the beginning, even though i had been warned that its not going to be good. Most of the complaints that i have towards it have already been stated, so no need to rehash (ex: henri- and wasn't he supposed to have a french sounding accent?? the mixed up legacies- and what the heck is up with the weird blue light?? the mogs were supposed to be hugge and so were the animals- they looked like creatures out of a spiderwick movie- and i got rlly turned off, when his third scar showed up, and it showed all his scars - whats with the circles- that and the blue light made e/t look so cheesy- xxxx- badbadbadtheyre supposed to go aROUND his leg...all in all- it was not rlly good, they messed up sam- hes supposed to look like a complete nerd- hes even cute in he movie- and his name is spellman- AND THEYRE SUPPOSED TO FIND OUT ABOUT HIS DAD BEING AN ALLY IN THE NEXT BOOK!!! they did NOT have to spoil it for evryone else now!!!!! good grief. i cant wait to see who plays maria, eight, and nine :) All i gots to say- is that they better fix their mistakes- the books are awesome and ppl shouldnt get scared away from the 'movie'
To me, it was like a bad Power Rangers movie.
The I am number four series is probably one of the best I've read. But the movie, oh the movie. If you read the rest of the comments you get some of the point but the main thing is that the movie looked like it was LITERALLY made by a director that hadn't even read the book. The choice of actors was HORRIBLE, and I left after 3/4 of the movie. Trust me, I LOVE "I am number four", but the movie is THE WORST and I am usually not at all picky about movies.
This book series has to be one of my absolute favorites! But that movie just butchered it. I don't see how they could continue the series with six having four's legacy!! In my opinion, just remake it and start again
it shouldnt matter how a person looks in a movie perhaps they couldnt find a better actor/actress and it think they all acted very well
The only good part in the movie was when Six blew up the house in Florida. Everything else was quite terrible.
You can't deny it the movie sucked and I missed like 20 min of the movie (I got bored) and I didn't see a lot of scenes about the chest. And were is the romance between John and Sara come on!! Oh and 6 I never pictured here with an accent
I agree!! The book was so much better then the movie. It was a lot more descriptive too! I thought number 6 was good for her part but, Sarah!? Like I could have done better and I am not an actor! Overall I thought it was OK, but the book was the best by far!!
I didn't read everybody's comments but what about the CHEST!!?? they didn't mention the chest, they didn't train;it was just a bad movie...hell it was a terrible movie. The mogadorians went to the grocery store to buy Thanksgiving turkeys that they fed to they're beasts??
RRREEEEBOOOOOTTT!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a question! I am a huge fan of The Lorien Legacies books (I am Number Four) and the movie. In the movie Number Four's symbol has 4 crescent moons, but on the book cover there are 5 crescent moons that make up his symbol. I want to get his symbol tattooed but I want it to be accurate to the book not the movie. But it would make more sense for his symbol to be made of 4 moons to represent the loric number 4. Any thoughts? Does anyone know why they are different in the book and the movie?
I really wish this movie had done better in the box office because now they aren't going to make the sequels and I am obsessed with this story and I want more movies! Of course it wasn't the best rendition of the book, but I still would rather have a movie then no movie. I want the Power of Six movie so bad! I am Number Four movie barely scratched the surface of how epic this story line is. Also Alex Pettyfer is super hot!
Both were Great!!! Loved it!!!
I agree. The book was much better than the movie. But hey, what can we expect? Most movies are like that [eg. Percy Jackson].
I REALLY wish the movies were not different from the books. I mean, they should look good, but you can't leave out so many details/bonds (*cough* Henri *cough*).
Ok. I just turned on the movie this morning, thinking, how bad can this really be? After reading all the books, companion books, etc, I was left wanting more, hence the watching of the movie. Let's just say, as a fan, I had to stop the movie after the opening scene. Seriously? They got literally EVERYTHING wrong! First, number 3's Cêpan doesn't get pulled through the door, he gets impaled through it. Then, 3 doesn't jump through a window... He goes through the wall, breaking it in the process. Next, he's being chased by Mogs, not a giant bat. Then there's the next to impossible jump that they don't make happen. And finally the capture scene. What happened to the Mogs being seven feet tall (or more)? And why does number 3 turn to dust (ash)? That's what the Mogs turn into... So sad to see such a great story turned into this. I won't watch the rest of this abomination, nor will I ever watch any subsequent sequels.
Exactly! I was so mad about that, and especially when nobody weekend to notice apart from me
Wow finally! Someone else seemed to have noticed! Six having Johns powers and Henri dying so early on made me really mad!
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