I Am Number Four

[white avenger]

I saw this movie awhile back, and I just couldn't believe how similar that it was to the "Terminator" story line, especially the TV series.

Or am I the only one who thought so?

 

[Marisa]

Hmmm I didn't really think of Terminator at all when watching this the series or movie. Granted I have not seen all of season two yet.
What did you find similar? John being the one to help his kind?

 

[Zeppo]

Hmm, I've read the book and the movie had lots of elements from it's source material. Never got a Terminator vibe from either, I've never watched the television show so I dunno what it's about.

What elements are you thinking are the same? I'm not an avid Terminator fan so it's been a while since I've seen them.

 

[DrusillaRox]

I thought it had a Terminator vibe. That is, of course, if you are referring to the tv show. What with John being in danger and all that.

But, uh, yay for Dianna Agron!

 

[Washburne]

I haven't watched it yet but now I'll have this in mind. Must be more than one thing if it surprised you that much.

 

[xaphania]

I've not seen the film but I read the book - which was dire. Give it a miss if you're thinking of reading it, it was dreadful.

 

[white avenger]

The movie reminded me of "Terminator" because of

1) All of the alien killers coming after the boy and his protector, like Arnold in the first movie, killing one person after the other until they get to him.

2) His human protector, like Reese, dying to protect him, saving him for some obscure future destiny as leader of his fellow exiles.

3) The running gun battle between him and the inhuman, virtually unstoppable killers who seem to have no purpose beyond killing him and all like him

4) The fortuitous arrival of "Number Six" just when all seemed lost (granted, it would have been better if she had said, "come with me if you want to live,")

5) The ending, with its "We have a mission to protect all mankind from domination by the monsters" ending.

Listing them all like that, though, I guess the same could apply to half a dozen other movies.

 

[Zeppo]

Yeah, good point. I guess there is a pretty similar formula. The lore is kind of different, though. They can't just kill him whenever, there's rules. They ditched some of the more specific traits from the book to the movie that made it more unique. I guess the lore is what seperates it?

The book was full of cliched dialogue, which was really too bad cause it could've been way better than that. They missed the mark with it. I liked the ending, though. I don't necessarily recommend the movie or the book though I guilty-pleasure-ly enjoyed both (book more-so).

 

[DrusillaRox]

Surprised by happy to see you. Hope it's not a one time thing.

I'm back permanantly! Having lots of fun! 😎

As for number four...I actually really liked the film, despite the obvious comparisons to Terminator

 

[Washburne]

I enjoyed this movie more than I thought. No masterpiece but really enjoyable for what it is. Had I watched this in my teens I'd probably loved it a lot.

Even reading this thread before watching the movie didn't make me think of Terminator at all. If anything the mogadorians (?) reminded me of vampires. Sharp teeth and turning into "dust" when dying. But I definitely agree with most points made by WA.

Listing them all like that, though, I guess the same could apply to half a dozen other movies.

Probably more. Coming up with new ideas or twists aren't as easy as it may seem. Almost everything has been done before. The trick is trying to make it less obvious.

2) His human protector, like Reese, dying to protect him, saving him for some obscure future destiny as leader of his fellow exiles.

Henri was as human as John/Daniel/Number four. He had a destiny for sure but did it ever say that he'd be the leader?