The Percy Jackson books were some of my favorite books growing up, and when a movie came out, I couldn't wait to see it. However, the film stays as far away from the source material as possible, which makes me wonder why the heck this movie was made.



There were certain things the movie just couldn't get right that I didn't think need changing. For example, in the book, Annabeth is blonde, Percy is 12, and when the car crash happens in the beginning, Grover was supposed to be unconscious. While it was true that Luke is evil, Percy doesn't fight him at the end. He fights Ares, the god of war.



The acting is decent, and Logan Lerman is a decent Percy Jackson. The special effects are cool, and the fights are really entertaining. The comedic elements are there, and the chemistry between the three actors are likeable.

In the end, it's just a popcorn flick for the family. It may not be the best movie ever made, but it's decent enough to enjoy. I just wish the movie stuck closer to the source material.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010): Dir: Chris Columbus / Cast: Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Jake Abel, Sean Bean: Pathetic juvenile showcase about teenage Percy who learns that he is the son of the Ocean god Poseidon. When Zeus's lightning bolt is stolen, it is up to Percy to retrieve it before Hades captures it. Perhaps he should check the lost and found first. Director Chris Colubus had success with the first two Harry Potter films but this is a terrible joke and perhaps the worst contraption he ever stuck his name on. Logan Lerman as Percy does his best but falters with the rest of the cast due to stupid situations. Brandon T. Jackson plays Grover, his half goat protector. Yes, I too was half expecting the furry blue monster from Sesame Street since that is the mentality of the material but we are left with this half wit instead. Alexandra Daddario plays the feisty female warrior who ends up in a lame romantic tease in the conclusion. She will dislike Percy at first but before the conclusion of the third act it will be hinted that she will likely bang him in time. Jake Abel plays Hades son whose motives are obvious. It is pretty bad when the children of these powerful beings cannot get along, as if this was some sort of hand-me-down family business proposition. There are numerous celebrity cameos by actors who will not likely wish to maintain association with this junk. Sean Bean plays Zeus but he is never as fitting as Laurence Olivier was in Clash of the Titans. Despite its inventive special effects, this film should be struck by lightning. Score: 1 / 10

I have to admit it, I haven't read the book, but regardless of whether it was faithful or not, this rarely ruins a movie or TV adaptation for me. That said, I can understand the disappointment of those who loved the book. However, I really enjoyed this film, it is hardly the best movie I have ever seen, but I personally consider it one of the better movies of 2010 that I've seen so far, and that is saying a lot considering how disappointing some of the movies have been.

Where the film is lacking is in the storytelling. There are those who say that it gets bogged down by too many mythological references, and I have to say I kind of agree. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief had a brilliant concept to work from and a fairly original one at that, and while the references were very interesting and cleverly incorporated, the writers could have simplified a little how much they included. Back to the storytelling, it does have a lot of exciting moments, such as the scene at the museum with the fury, in Medusa's lair, the fight with the hydra, in the underworld and the climax, but some parts in the middle half drag and feel clunky, and I personally could have done with less of the scene in the casino.

Complaints aside, the film looks incredible, the special effects are excellent and the cinematography and scenery are clever and skillful. The music only adds to the excitement and the dialogue has some very nice moments with some humour from Grover and with Gabe when he is seen on television talking about Percy's disappearance and both Medusa and Persephone are deliciously seductive in looks and in dialogue. The film also moves briskly in general, and the direction is decent. Personally I liked the acting, Logan Lerman is surprisingly appealing as Percy, and Brandon T.Jackson is lots of fun as Grover. People have said Alexandra Daddario was too old as Annabeth, I wouldn't know, but she looks lovely and is very spirited in the role. Pierce Brosnan was surprisingly good as Mr Brunner/Chiron, though it was a bit of a shock seeing him with a horse's lower body, Rosario Dawson is fabulously sexy as Persephone and Sean Bean is okay as Zeus though he doesn't have much to do. The real joys however are with Uma Thurman, who gives a delicious turn as Medusa, and Steve Coogan who was a big surprise as Hades.

Overall, I actually liked this film, it was fun to watch, while nothing absolutely outstanding or mind-blowing. 7.5/10 Bethany Cox