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Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief
Harry Potter has done a lot of good to children around the world, but like anything huge in Hollywood, there will be an endless wave of wannabe films that attempt to start a big franchise but just end up failing...usually miserably (Eragon, Golden Compass, The Seeker, this movie etc.). Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief is the better of those movies and my personal favourite. The film is based on a very popular series of books (of which I also enjoy) and is directed by Chris Columbus, the guy that brought us the first two Harry Potter films (ironic?).
I first watched this movie about two weeks after seeing Clash Of The Titans (the remake) and I was dreading it, but after about ten minutes of crazy greek meets modern day madness, I was surprised and happy with the way the film was going.
The film (and to be honest, the books) are very similar to the Harry Potter franchise, and unfortunately that is a constant comparison that cannot be shaken off, but if you can accept it, you might like the movie.
Percy Jackson (played by Logan Lerman, who is pretty mediocre in the role) is a young man who discovers that the Greek Gods have been watching over humanity for centuries, until Zeus' lightning bolt is stolen and everybody suspects Percy, as he is the son of Poseidon...and Zeus likes to point the finger at Poseidon? I don't know, just go with it.
The ensemble is great, the film is crammed with Hollywood cameos and stars, Uma Thurman appears as Medusa for 5 minutes and Pierce Brosnan is fun as a Centaur.
Though the film is severely dragged down by two cardboard characters that follow Percy around for most of the film, Grover and Annabeth. Grover (Brandon T. Jackson), who in the book is a shy teenager with orange hair, is now a jive-talking Will Smith impersonator who is the Jar Jar Binks of this film...and he takes any opportunity to be annoying comic relief. Annabeth (the actress' name escapes me) on the other hand is the most unexplored and wooden character in the whole film, what this movie needed was a good sit down between a character, maybe Pierce Brosnan's, and Annabeth so they can actually explore the way she approaches being a demigod...she might just be an interesting character.
There are two major standouts in this film however, Steve Coogan's Hades and Jake Abel's Luke. Steve Coogan appears about and hour-and-a-half into the movie and doesn't just chew up scenery, he lights it on fire...pun intended. Jake Abel pops up every so often as Luke, the son of Hermes, a senior member of the camp that Percy must now call home. Jake Abel acts well and is very noticeable as the only one with talent, especially when Percy and the gang visit him in his cabin...I couldn't help but laugh as the main three cast members were outshone by a supporting cast member every single time he appeared on screen.
Overall Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief is a dodgy Harry Potter wannabe, but somehow stands on it's own. It's fun and the special effects are actually pretty impressive. If I had a gun pointed at me and I had to choose between this or The Hunger Games...I'd choose this...it's easier to watch (sorry Hunger Games fans). The sequel (which is surprising) is scheduled to be released next year with Nathan Fillion playing Hermes, I'm actually excited.
Harry Potter has done a lot of good to children around the world, but like anything huge in Hollywood, there will be an endless wave of wannabe films that attempt to start a big franchise but just end up failing...usually miserably (Eragon, Golden Compass, The Seeker, this movie etc.). Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief is the better of those movies and my personal favourite. The film is based on a very popular series of books (of which I also enjoy) and is directed by Chris Columbus, the guy that brought us the first two Harry Potter films (ironic?).
I first watched this movie about two weeks after seeing Clash Of The Titans (the remake) and I was dreading it, but after about ten minutes of crazy greek meets modern day madness, I was surprised and happy with the way the film was going.
The film (and to be honest, the books) are very similar to the Harry Potter franchise, and unfortunately that is a constant comparison that cannot be shaken off, but if you can accept it, you might like the movie.
Percy Jackson (played by Logan Lerman, who is pretty mediocre in the role) is a young man who discovers that the Greek Gods have been watching over humanity for centuries, until Zeus' lightning bolt is stolen and everybody suspects Percy, as he is the son of Poseidon...and Zeus likes to point the finger at Poseidon? I don't know, just go with it.
The ensemble is great, the film is crammed with Hollywood cameos and stars, Uma Thurman appears as Medusa for 5 minutes and Pierce Brosnan is fun as a Centaur.
Though the film is severely dragged down by two cardboard characters that follow Percy around for most of the film, Grover and Annabeth. Grover (Brandon T. Jackson), who in the book is a shy teenager with orange hair, is now a jive-talking Will Smith impersonator who is the Jar Jar Binks of this film...and he takes any opportunity to be annoying comic relief. Annabeth (the actress' name escapes me) on the other hand is the most unexplored and wooden character in the whole film, what this movie needed was a good sit down between a character, maybe Pierce Brosnan's, and Annabeth so they can actually explore the way she approaches being a demigod...she might just be an interesting character.
There are two major standouts in this film however, Steve Coogan's Hades and Jake Abel's Luke. Steve Coogan appears about and hour-and-a-half into the movie and doesn't just chew up scenery, he lights it on fire...pun intended. Jake Abel pops up every so often as Luke, the son of Hermes, a senior member of the camp that Percy must now call home. Jake Abel acts well and is very noticeable as the only one with talent, especially when Percy and the gang visit him in his cabin...I couldn't help but laugh as the main three cast members were outshone by a supporting cast member every single time he appeared on screen.
Overall Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief is a dodgy Harry Potter wannabe, but somehow stands on it's own. It's fun and the special effects are actually pretty impressive. If I had a gun pointed at me and I had to choose between this or The Hunger Games...I'd choose this...it's easier to watch (sorry Hunger Games fans). The sequel (which is surprising) is scheduled to be released next year with Nathan Fillion playing Hermes, I'm actually excited.