Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
 

Though the film has a ridiculously long title, the film is primarily aimed at children and teens, and for that intended audience, it does a yeoman's job in introducing us to Percy Jackson, a high school student more at home underwater, than above water, and before you know it, it is revealed that he was the offspring between the coupling of the Greek god Poseidon and a human woman named Sally (Percy's mom). The film ramps up the plotline by putting Percy in danger of being hunted down for possessing the stolen lightning bolt of Zeus, and his true nature is quickly revealed after all these years of being hidden from his true parentage. Percy is whisked away to a place where other half-man/half-godlings are trained and educated. Just like any good Greek mythology, Percy and a couple of friends go on a quest to ward off the wrath of Zeus, and the film primarily deals with that storyline.

Logan Lerman is solid as Percy, he's transitioning from young child TV actor to young film actor. Brandon T. Jackson is Grover, Percy's longtime friend, and the gal with the amazing blue eyes and potential love interest for Percy is played by the lovely Alexandra Daddario. There are some decent turns by more established actors, like Rosario Dawson playing Persephone, Steven Coogan as Hades, Sean Bean as Zeus, Kevin McKidd as Poseidon, Catherine Keener as Sally, Pierce Brosnan as Mr.s Brunner (Percy's teacher). Just don't expect a lot of screentime by the more recognizable names in the film, it's primarily a vehicle for the younger actors in search of the next big film franchise for children and young adults, though I'm not sure they have enough charm to become household names or ingrained in the pop cultural landscape.

The film is a little long at 2 hours, and the screenplay won't set the film world on fire, but if somehow the kids see this film, and gain an interest in Greek mythology and the classics, then that's a good thing. This film is simple in execution, and director Christopher Columbus doesn't over-stylize the look or tone of the film, and just keeps it basic and simple.

I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-.

Re: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
 

I wasn't expecting much but had a blast with this. Sure Brandon T. Jackson gets annoying but Lerman and Daddario do a great job, not to mention how awesome it is to see Bean and McKidd as Zeus and Poseidon. The plot moved smoothly, the effects were serviceable and I was never bored - had a few moments that were a bit more intense than I was expecting too. It certainly helps that I'm a big fan of mythology (and eagerly counting down the days to Clash of the Titans) but I really enjoyed it for what it was. Columbus isn't the greatest director, but I thought he didn't get in the way of the movie here and I'd probably rank it higher than either of his Potter films. Will definitely check out the books now. I'd give it 3.5 or 4 stars out of 5.

Re: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
 

Coming from someone who finished the book the same day I saw the movie, I have to say I didn't like it very much. The book was really as simple as you can get. I didn't get why they had to dumb it down so much and make something that was something of an afterthought in the book be the driving plot of the movie, and something extremely important to this story (and the other books if my theory is correct) in the book completely absent in the movie.

The only thing they got right was make Percy older. Everything else was stupid. It seemed everyone was working from Jon Peters' how-to-make-a-movie guide. Like they HAD to have an action beat every 10 minutes that the story didn't really need. Even my wife who didn't read the books commented on the stupidity of the movie's plot:

I mean, the books aren't Harry Potter but I thought it was written in such a way that movie adaptation would've been easy. Guess not.

Re: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
 

just caught this the other day and I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed it. never read the books, nor will I ever, but I thought it was decent.

and how about that ending with the loser boyfriend? seemed awfully fucking cruel, considering the tone of the rest of the movie.

Re: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
 

I enjoyed it when I saw it. Still enjoy it despite fans of the books schooling me on how the film took a giant shit on the source material (which, after reading up on the books, I can see why fans were pissed).

Apparently the sequel is still underway. I'd be up for that.

Re: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
 

I enjoyed this as well, watch it whenever it's on HBO. Love the whole Lotus casino aspect too.

Re: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
 

I too check in whenever it's on HBO but the Lotus Casino is my least favorite part.

Alexandra Daddario makes the movie IMO.

Re: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
 

I think the reason I like the scene is it seems so out of place in the movie.

Re: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
 

I thought it was a pretty decent flick too :up:

Re: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
 

I enjoyed this flick but thought it ridiculous who the Lightning Thief turned out to be. This is the most powerful weapon of the gods and was able to steal it with little to no fuss? And why did anyone think Percy was the thief? I wish they'd kept Ray Winstone's scenes (he just appears towards the end and vanishes before the scene is even over) given his character, Ares, was supposed to be the mastermind behind it all (from what fans of the books tell me).

Speaking of deleted scenes, what's the deal with the shot in the trailer that shows a car with a gatling gun mounted on it? It looks like it takes pllace outside the motel the kids were staying at after It, along with Winstone's scenes, is nowhere to be found amongst the deleted scenes included in the BD.

Re: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
 

Some movement on the sequel:

http://www.deadline.com/2012/04/vanc...ackson-sequel/

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Sea Of Monsters

Re: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
 

Yeah, I read the cast is being changed up a bit (Nathan Fillion will now be Hermes and Pearce Brosnan was replaced by some guy from Buffy The Vampire Slayer).

I hope Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario :drool:, and Rosario Dawson :drool::drool: return for the sequel.

Re: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
 

Apologies for the thread bump, but I read this yesterday and it's a nice look into why this movie ended up the way it was.

Memories from my TV/Movie Experience

Excerpt: