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A teenager discovers he's the descendant of a Greek god and sets out on an adventure to settle an on-going battle between the gods.
Logan Lerman: Percy Jackson
Directed by Chris Columbus (Harry potter 1 & 2,I Love You Beth Cooper), and based upon Rick Riordan's novel, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief is about a teen (played by Logan Lerman from 3:10 to Yuma) whom finds out he's the son of a Greek god then violently accused of stealing Zeus's(Sean Bean) lightning. Along with his friends Grover (Brandon T. Jackson) and Annabeth (Alexandra Daddario), he sets out on a quest to Hell and back to clear his name and save the world from the wrath of the Gods.
Similarly the story is something akin to Potter; The step-parent is horrible, the lead character realizes his superpowers suddenly and has to go away to a place for gifted kids, he has a guy and a girl for his sidekicks, they, too, consult a magical map, and they never listen to their older guardians yet they always get away with it since all's well that ends well. There is just that instantly recognizable storytelling going on that we have seen before but still love to experience.
So what does the adult cinema-goer of a child flick have left to do? Enjoy the bit parts of its strangely stellar supporting cast. There's Oscar nominee Catherine Keener (Capote, Being John Malkovich) who plays Percy's mum Sally; Pierce Brosnan who plays both his professor and Chiron; Oscar nominee Uma Thurman as Medusa; Steve Coogan (Night at the Museum) as Hades; Rosario Dawson (Seven Pounds, Sin City, Alexander) as Persephone; CSI: NY's Melina Kanakaredes as Athena and many more.
The best aspects of Percy Jackson is it's quirky ability not to be original but to be fun and make you laugh. Sometimes it is so fantastical and silly you just have to sit back and enjoy the experience it offers. Don't take it seriously or get all qualmish about the mythology angles; It's an adaptation of some guy's children's book not some technically accurate Greek legend. Sometimes yes, it is Americanized, they say words funny; Such as Minotaur, centaur, Satyr, Medusa...I mean this certainly isn't English pronunciation. The journey the trio take across America is very convenient. If I took the whole affair seriously I could rip it to shreds, but I didn't. I had fun, had a giggle and enjoyed the Chris Columbus effort.
Overall, soundtrack is top grade fun, the cast varied and pure talent, the story what it lacks in originality makes up for in again aforementioned fun and thrills. The effects are the usual coolness we see in these types of films; It's very Narnia WETA styled.
Percy Jackson is a great new start to another franchise which has even encouraged me to start reading the books. A unique blend and insight into the Gods and creatures of Ancient Greece which I have always been very fond of. Perhaps it takes liberty with the legends, but who cares? This is a fantasy adventure with some zany character development and surreal creatures.
Definitely a must see for the whole family, fun loving adults, and easy to please kids. A thumbs up!
''I definitely have strong feelings for you. I just haven't decided if they're positive or negative yet.''
8/10
