Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (B or 3/4 stars)
A human teen discovers he's actually a descendant of a Greek god & sets out on an adventure to quell a battle btwn. the gods on Mount Olympus in 'Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief' (directed by Chris Columbus, of the early Harry Potter films). Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman) starts the film as a trouble-prone high schooler (a dyslexic, ADHD kid with a love for swimming) who finds out that his absentee dad is the Greek god of the seas, Poseidon (Kevin McKidd), thanks to a fling he had with Percy's mortal mom, Sally (Catherine Keener) some 17 yrs. ago. Zeus (Sean Bean, who's already played Odysseus in Troy) believes that Percy has stolen his lightning bolt. And so, after Percy is attacked by a devilish Fury at the MOMA, it is explained to him by Mr. Brunner (Pierce Brosnan) that he is a demigod, & hands him a special pen as a weapon to use if needed.
Astonished that figures from Greek mythology have walked into his 21st century world, Percy is then whisked off to Camp Half Blood to train with other demigod kids. From there, he embarks on a dangerous cross-country quest to save his mom (who's been dragged to Hell by a Minotaur) & convince Zeus that he has not stolen his lightning bolt. Percy is accompanied by his saytr (half man, half goat) best pal, Grover (Brandon T. Jackson), & Athena's gorgeous demigod daughter, Annabeth (Alexandra Daddario). After surviving a host of mythological foes, including the snake-headed Medusa (Uma Thurman); disguised as a statue seller ('cause she turns people to stone), Percy & co. make their way to Hell (with a little help from some magic flying shoes), but are confronted by Persephone (Rosario Dawson), her hellhounds, & Hades (Steve Coogan), himself. Can Percy prove that he doesn't have the lightning bolt? And since he doesn't, who does? Can he save his mom from Hades? Will Zeus realize Percy's innocence, reconcile with the other gods, & save the world from further destruction?
Based on a series of Harry Potter-like novels, I can't say if the film matches up to the books. What I will say is that I enjoyed myself throughout the entire movie, & was drawn into it; even while knowing there's nothing overly special about it. But you can tell that director Chris Columbus had fun at the helm. The 'Greek mythology in 21st century' premise is a bit goofy. But I was entertained because nothing is taken too seriously. The plot is pretty dense (without being narratively deep). The Fury, Minotaur, Hydra, & Hades' alter ego make for some menacing foes. The movie works as a buddy flick. It works as a coming-of-age tale for misfits: Grover, Annabeth, & particularly Percy/Perseus; I forgive his early cockiness because he IS son of a god (haha). I enjoyed the crazy road trip they go on (through Nashville's Parthenon, & Vegas' Land of the Lotus Eaters). And the Clash of the Titans-esque quest is handled with an impressive lightness.
If I can't exalt in this film, it's because there are no amazing characters or richly imagined set pieces. Everything is fine. Everything is even. There's just very few 'wow' moments; no 'magical' moments that the Potter films offer. Logan Lerman has enough twinkle in his eye to show me that he may be great down the road. I really liked Brandon T. Jackson as Percy's protector, Grover. The gods are all well-represented: Sean Bean, Kevin McKidd (giving a really nice performance near the end), Steve Coogan (always fun), & Melina Kanakaredes. I just wish they were given time to provide little more than a diversion until the next set piece. I loved Pierce Brosnan's teacher/creature portrayal. It's a fun 'wink wink' performance that fit the tone of the film perfectly. And Uma Thurman brought some style & deviousness to Medusa, as well. Overall, it's a very good film for kids, an indifferent film for most adults, but I gotta say that I quite enjoyed this ride.
Astonished that figures from Greek mythology have walked into his 21st century world, Percy is then whisked off to Camp Half Blood to train with other demigod kids. From there, he embarks on a dangerous cross-country quest to save his mom (who's been dragged to Hell by a Minotaur) & convince Zeus that he has not stolen his lightning bolt. Percy is accompanied by his saytr (half man, half goat) best pal, Grover (Brandon T. Jackson), & Athena's gorgeous demigod daughter, Annabeth (Alexandra Daddario). After surviving a host of mythological foes, including the snake-headed Medusa (Uma Thurman); disguised as a statue seller ('cause she turns people to stone), Percy & co. make their way to Hell (with a little help from some magic flying shoes), but are confronted by Persephone (Rosario Dawson), her hellhounds, & Hades (Steve Coogan), himself. Can Percy prove that he doesn't have the lightning bolt? And since he doesn't, who does? Can he save his mom from Hades? Will Zeus realize Percy's innocence, reconcile with the other gods, & save the world from further destruction?
Based on a series of Harry Potter-like novels, I can't say if the film matches up to the books. What I will say is that I enjoyed myself throughout the entire movie, & was drawn into it; even while knowing there's nothing overly special about it. But you can tell that director Chris Columbus had fun at the helm. The 'Greek mythology in 21st century' premise is a bit goofy. But I was entertained because nothing is taken too seriously. The plot is pretty dense (without being narratively deep). The Fury, Minotaur, Hydra, & Hades' alter ego make for some menacing foes. The movie works as a buddy flick. It works as a coming-of-age tale for misfits: Grover, Annabeth, & particularly Percy/Perseus; I forgive his early cockiness because he IS son of a god (haha). I enjoyed the crazy road trip they go on (through Nashville's Parthenon, & Vegas' Land of the Lotus Eaters). And the Clash of the Titans-esque quest is handled with an impressive lightness.
If I can't exalt in this film, it's because there are no amazing characters or richly imagined set pieces. Everything is fine. Everything is even. There's just very few 'wow' moments; no 'magical' moments that the Potter films offer. Logan Lerman has enough twinkle in his eye to show me that he may be great down the road. I really liked Brandon T. Jackson as Percy's protector, Grover. The gods are all well-represented: Sean Bean, Kevin McKidd (giving a really nice performance near the end), Steve Coogan (always fun), & Melina Kanakaredes. I just wish they were given time to provide little more than a diversion until the next set piece. I loved Pierce Brosnan's teacher/creature portrayal. It's a fun 'wink wink' performance that fit the tone of the film perfectly. And Uma Thurman brought some style & deviousness to Medusa, as well. Overall, it's a very good film for kids, an indifferent film for most adults, but I gotta say that I quite enjoyed this ride.