“Chiron: Percy, take this to defend yourself. It’s a powerful weapon. Guard it well. Only use it in times of severe distress.
Percy Jackson: This is a pen. This is a pen.”
Let’s get something out of the way now, just a little disclaimer. I know that the movie adaptation bears little resemblance to the book. I read the book, I love the book. You can read my thoughts on the book.
However, I also love the movie.
Yeah, I said it. Whatcha gonna do about it?
My Thoughts
I am fully aware that the movie left out many details including, but not limited to, Nancy Bobfit, Clarisse, Kronos, Ares, Dionysos, Annabeth’s hat, Annabeth’s family, Thalia, Grover’s quest for Pan, Tartus, Charon, the Fates, the Furies – the list is endless without mentioning various scenes.
Yes, they changed practically everything except the names of people and places, the Greek Gods and the lightning bolt.
Maybe it’s to do with the fact that when I was younger I watched the movie before I read the book, or maybe not, who knows? I had a similar experience with Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.
If you look at them as book to movie adaptations, I completely understand why you’d be disappointed. Really, I do. Perhaps it is because I read before I watched, but I enjoy them as two separate, although obviously similar, stories.
As much as I love the scenes and characters which didn’t make it into the movie, including how he found out who his father was, I also love the scenes they added in.
I will say that, although the reasons for going to the Underworld are very similar, I do think that the plot needed an extra layer and the characters their additional motives. The movie is simplified, one dimensional and slightly rushed in comparison to the book.
However, the movie is also, in my opinion, an incredibly fun, fast paced adventure.
Cast
Let’s take a moment to mention the cast:
Logan Lerman, Brandon T Jackson, Alexandra Doddario, Jake Abel, Sean Bean, Pierce Bonsan, Steve Coogan, Rosario Dawson, Melina Kanakaredes, Kevin McKidd, Joe Pantoliano, Uma Thurman, Catherine Keener, Julian Richings. Some of you may know some of these by name but those are some recognisable faces. I didn’t realise how many well-known actors and actresses were in this movie.
Also my opinion, I thought they did really well in their roles.
Plot
If you’re here and you’re like “Nicole, I’ve never even heard of Percy Jackson! Tell me what the damn movie is about”
Here it is:
In the movie adaptation we first meet Zeus and Poseidon. Zeus informs his brother that his lightning bolt is missing and it becomes clear he believes Poseidon is the culprit. However, as Gods cannot steal from one another, he believes Poseidon’s son is the thief. From there, unbeknownst to Percy, his life is upheaved and everything is about to change. His substitute teacher tries to kill him, along with a minotaur who captures his mother, now a prisoner of Hades. Percy must travel to the Underworld in order to save his mother, but things are rarely that simple on the Highway to Hell.
“Luke: But, uh, you’re gonna have to promise me one thing. If you see my dad on the highway to hell.
Percy Jackson: Yeah?
Luke: Kick his ass for me.”
So there it is. If you haven’t watched this movie for one reason or another I say give it a go and keep an open mind. It’s a fun, adventurous lighthearted film of pure escapism. Enjoy it.
