I Am Number Four (2011)

Glowing hands, a loyal beagle, a jealous football star, a crush with a camera and a guardian with a laptop: I Am Number Four packs the whole teen fantasy starter kit and forgets the story. The hands are the best idea, glowing like flashlights whenever John gets upset, a terrible superpower for the new kid at school. After that it’s a moody high school romance waiting to become a franchise. Alex Pettyfer broods hard and emotes rarely. Dianna Agron does what she can with a girlfriend role. Timothy Olyphant is the best thing in it as Henri, a guardian worn out from moving. The hunters, pale guys in long coats, are as scary as mall security. Then Teresa Palmer turns up as Number Six, strolling away from explosions like she’s visiting from a better movie, and the climax wakes up. It made $149.9 million worldwide on a reported $60M. A 3.8 because the last act has juice and the first hour is a long pep rally. $21.57 says you rub your palms together tonight and check whether they glow.

What works: Timothy Olyphant brings real weight as Henri, and the climax, once Number Six shows up, has genuine energy.

What doesn’t: The first hour is generic teen romance with a blank hero, and the villains look like they raided a costume shop.

Who it’s for: Teens who loved the books, and anyone who wants a low-stakes sci-fi movie for a sleepover.