Went with a good friend to see I Am Number Four last night, and I will start by being honest: I enjoyed it. The main guy was kinda cute, the effects were fun. All in all it was a good, basic, story with excitement and potential. You know, like Twilight. In other words, loved the premise, but I would pretty much punch anyone in the face if they couldn't figure out the ending well in advance.
So this leads me to ponder the question, what is it that draws me to these "teenie" movies about all the supernatural stuff I hate to love? The stories are so darn simple, the endings are so easy to see. There are a few grown-up versions out there of things. Interview with the Vampire, Shaun of the Dead, some amazing stories by Neil Gaiman. In their own rites, these are some killer stories, done well, that weren't aimed at tweens lusting for things that we should not, in all sensibility, lust. However, take a look at the bookstore lately. All the good stuff is sitting in the young adult aisle. The previews are for Little Red Riding Hood (aka Twilight with a wolf and a red cape), Beastly, and other such fare. And yet, I have to say with all honesty, I want to see each of these.
What's the end result? I lose $20 to tickets and snacks and sit there enthralled by a story I have heard or foreseen a hundred times before. Why oh why do we do this? I honestly can't say. I think there's something in we adults that is still affected by teenly lust and adrenaline. But one thing's for sure... it's definitely fun.
And for those of you I need to punch in the face, let's just say I'm sure there will be an I Am Number Five movie somewhere in our future.
Food for thought: What's your real opinion on all of these tween stories?
Its also a marketing thing. The tween stories get pushed because they pull a pg-13 rating, and get the most bang for the buck in terms of returns. (that may be the cynic in me) ... that being said, Tweenie books are a great popcorn read. Good stories, and short enough to devour on a rainy afternoon.
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