"I am Number Four" is number one

An alien comes down to Earth. He meets a human and falls in love. He has to save the world. Of course, you may have heard this plot before. But this sci-fi movie combines aliens, romance and action in an ingenious way, making "I am Number Four" one of the most fun, though not wholly groundbreaking, films of 2011 thus far.

Number Four (Alex Pettyfer), otherwise known as John, is an alien sent from outer space to Earth along with eight other of his kind after his planet is destroyed by the Mogadorians. Three of his fellow aliens have already been killed. When John realizes that he is next, he and his guardian Henri (Timothy Olyphant) depart to Paradise, Ohio to start anew. John meets Sarah (Diana Agron) and sparks immediately fly. When the Mogadorians come to Paradise, John holds his ground and tries to save himself and the people he loves.

This movie excels thanks to an intricate and entertaining plot. Audiences will literally be on the edge of their seats at the breath-taking climax. The story, based on the book of the same title by Pittacus Lore, is interesting and multi-dimensional. The movie combines several genres and involves several subplots. With subplots, however, come major plot holes that are left unanswered. With more books in the series in the works, a movie sequel is probably also in development and hopefully subsequent flicks will answer all of the unanswered plot developments.

The acting in this movie is certainly not spectacular, but was definitely better than the average teen movie. Pettyfer and Agron have great chemistry together and their scenes have an engaging, cute and romantic feel. The dynamic duo with abnormally good genes just had to look attractive. Newcomer Callan McAuliffe, who plays John's friend Sam, also adds a comical touch to the plot and will be an actor to look out for in future movies in the series and hopefully other movies to come.

And as with any science fiction movie, a large amount of special effects are necessary. Most of the effects are relatively simplistic and passable. However, be warned, the special effects for large fantasy animals were involved were laughable at best. The action-packed moments where effects were used were still good, however, and most of the action was believable –for a movie about aliens, that is.

"Number four" is definitely a typical teen movie, just with an extraterrestrial twist. Aliens might become the new vampires, as Smith and Sarah's relationship is reminiscent of Edward and Bella's in the "Twilight" series. Don't worry, "Twilight" haters, this movie is of far better quality and less angst-ridden.

This fun, exciting and entertaining movie is sure to be a hit series. The movie is funny, heart-warming, sad and laughably corny all at the same time. It is certainly not a revolutionizing piece of artwork, but relative to the typical boy-meets-girl movie, "I am Number Four" shines.

"I Am Number Four"(110 minutes) is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and for language. Now in theatres everywhere.