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Percy Jackson takes a stab at filling the soon-to-be-left void of Harry Potter. 

Directed By:  Chris Columbus

 

The Players:  Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Sean Bean, Catherine Keener, Uma Thurman , Pierce Brosnan

 

BEING A DEMI-GOD IS TOUGH

 

Percy Jackson is, at first glance, a typical teen.  He hates school, hates his step-father and can't seem to focus on one thing for too long.   He only feels at peace in the water.  This is because he is the half son of the Greek god Poseidon and a mortal woman (Catherine Keener).  He discovers this about 10 minutes into the film when a substitute teacher takes him aside and promptly turns into a shrieking harpy (literally) demanding he return Zeus' missing lightning bolt.    Another teacher, Mr. Bruner (Pierce Brosnan) quickly explains to Percy his heritage and that someone has stolen the lightning bolt of the chief god Zeus (Sean Bean).  This has caused consternation and conflict among the gods which will escalate into a full blown war if the bolt is not returned within 14 days.  How Zeus has come to suspect Percy of taking it is never made quite clear. 

 

Hydras and Minotaurs and Harpies....Oh My!!!

Soon Percy is on the run with his mother and best friend/protector, Grover (Brandon T. Jackson) the satyr.  They make it to Camp Half Blood (No...I didn't say Mudblood..knock it off) where other god/human hybrids (called demi-gods) train in a safe environment and come to terms with their heritage.  Soon Percy's mother is kidnapped by Hades and held in ransom for the lightning bolt.  Hades wants to utilize the bolt to usurp Zeus and take over Mt. Olympus which can be accessed (apparently) through the top floor of the Empire State Building.  Who knew?   

 

At Camp Half Blood, Percy meets Annabeth (Alexandra Daddario) daughter of a mortal father and the goddess Athena.  Soon Percy, Annabeth and Grover are off on an adventure to rescue Percy's mother from the clutches of Hades who's underworld lair happens to be right under the famous Hollywood sign.  Along the way they meet and overcome numerous obstacles including the mythical Hydra, the Lotus Eaters and Uma Thurman in a memorable cameo as Medusa. 

 

Thurman is having a bad hair day

 

IS PERCY THE NEXT BIG THING?

 

I tried desperately not to make mental comparisons to Harry Potter while watching this film.  It was nearly impossible and then I realized that the filmmakers undoubtedly wanted those connections made.  See...we're just like Harry Potter....remember how good those films were?  Chris Columbus who helmed the first two Potter flicks (and the least satisfying in my opinion) was the creative energy behind this film as well.  Even Percy's two sidekicks are pale echoes of Ron and Hermione.

 

Lerman watching his star rise?

 

Probably the biggest problem with the film as a whole is that it evokes the spirit of Potter without ever creating its own sense of identity.   The special effects here are passable and the story is inherently fascinating but it lacks a certain sense of awe and wonder...a certain magical quality that is required in a film like this ala Lord of the Rings or The Wizard of Oz.  I never felt transported to another world as I should have.

 

Logan Lerman (probably best known as Christian Bale's son in 3:10 to Yuma) makes an amiable enough hero but we don't embrace him the way we do Harry and Co.  Lerman doesn't do anything wrong here...he just doesn't do much exceptional.   While Radcliffe managed to capture Potter's sense of discovery as he came to terms with his magical abilities, Lerman's Percy is just matter of fact about it after the initial shock wears off.   We don't get to see him grow and change...he just is.  Maybe in future installments (if there are any) Percy's character will be fleshed out more and we'll get to know him...not just this cardboard version of him. 

 

That being said, Percy Jackson and Co. were a pleasant enough diversion for two hours.  I didn't regret the visit.  I just don't know if I want to be invited back.

 

Whether we get any more installments will ultimately depend on the box office.  Riordan has four more books in this series as I understand it. 

 

SEE IT, SKIP IT, RENT IT

 

If you've got kids who are fans of the books this question is moot.  You are going.  If not, it won't be a bad rental. 

 

Point of Interest:  For whatever reason, the filmmakers elected to disregard the fact that Percy is a 12 year old boy in the book.  Lerman is way past 12 and well into adolescence. Having never read the book, I don't know if this age discrepancy affects the story.  Only the true fans can answer this question.