Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Today, I saw a completely average movie based on a completely average book series. I suppose I need to start this with explaining: I minored in children’s literature in college, so I often read what are considered to be children, teen, and young adult books, especially when there is a buzz surrounding the books, as there is with the Percy Jackson series. When I read the books, I found a decent idea, but they are very “Harry Potter 2.0” - a bit of a copy, and badly done. But this review is not about the books, it is about the movie now in theaters. Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief is the newest offering from Chris Columbus, a director that never fails to entertain me.

The movie opens with Zeus (Sean Bean) and Poseidon (Kevin McKidd) discussing the theft of Zeus’ master lightning bolt and the suspect, Poseidon’s son. Zeus threatens to start a war with Poseidon if the bolt is not returned within two weeks. We cut to a teenage boy at the bottom of a pool, Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman), who seems calm and at peace in a situation that would terrify most, which, as the movie goes on, we see often. He slowly rises to the surface and we are quickly thrown into his life, from his friend, Grover (Brandon T. Jackson), to his dyslexia and ADHD. He seems the typical teen boy, living with his mother and questionable stepfather (a small role by the fantastically smarmy Joe Pantoliano).

During a school trip, Percy is attacked by what he calls a monster, but his wheelchair-bound teacher informs him it was one of the Furies. Percy is quickly taken to his mother by Grover, who turns out to be his protector, and the three set off to “the only place that Percy will be safe.” This place turns out to be “Camp Half-Blood” a haven that time seems to have forgotten. The Greek gods are alive and well, and still having huge numbers of children. These children are taught to be heroes in ancient Greek styled armor at Camp Half-Blood by the Centaur Chiron (Pierce Brosnan), who is also Percy’s wheelchair bound teacher from earlier.

Percy begins a very short training at the camp before setting off on his first quest, to save his mother, clear his name as a thief, and stop the war between the gods. Accompanying him on his quest are his Grover and Annabeth (Alexandra Daddario), the daughter of Athena. The three go off and run into various mythical personalities to challenge them, both in body and mind.

The movie is an enjoyable watch; a fun night at the movies where they tell you everything you need to know and no thinking involved (both a pro and con). You are not given a chance to wonder who Percy’s father is, or what happened to Percy’s mother. You are told within a few minutes. Sometimes I like a little suspense in my stories. I do not need to know everything right away. But, of course, this is a movie geared more toward children, so I cannot complain about having too many of my questions answered.

The movie also gives a new generation the interest in Greek and Roman mythology without being preachy about it. They give you enough tidbits that make you hunger for the rest of the story (for example, telling you that Percy’s father and Annabelle’s mother have been enemies for centuries, but not why). The movie is leaving it open for you to decide how much you want to know about the background. They spare no time to tell audiences more than necessary. The danger is so real that Percy and the movie audience are off and running right from the start.

Columbus, perhaps best known for beginning the Harry Potter series, has created a similar first entry here. Columbus has already said that he made his casting choices with sequels in mind (there are currently five books by Rick Riordan). The cast is well suited to the roles and the ending leaves the door wide-open should any sequels be made. With any luck they will be continued with Columbus, as he has shown his ability to film the spectacular in ways that make it all very real. From Medusa, with Uma Thurman’s gorgeous snake hair, to Percy controlling water, the visual, mythical elements are completely believable, blending seamlessly with the real world we know. Even if it is a lesser, America-centric “Potter” copy, it is a story that is interesting enough to want to see where it goes.

-Nicole O’Connell