By Tiffany

Opened February 12, 2010 | Runtime: 2 hr. 0 min.
PG for action violence, some scary images, peril, mild language and suggestive material

Welcome to Harry Potter, the Greek Gods edition. Unlike my much beloved (and slightly obsessed with) HP, I’m not familiar with the series of books this is based on. So I had to take it at face value. I can’t tell you how accurate it is, how true to the book, or what, if anything, was changed/left-out/thrown-in/etc…

So the gist is that Percy is this kid, who doesn’t really fit in and takes like a fish to water… to water! His father “abandoned” his mother when he was just a baby. His stepfather is horrible (and smelly) and his life sucks. Since it’s in every single trailer, promo and commercial for the movie, I’m not spoiling anything by telling you that his father is actually Poseidon, God of the Sea. Hence the whole, you know, water thing.

There are some pretty big name stars in here: Pierce Brosnan, Catherine Keener, Uma Thurman, Steve Coogan, and Rosario Dawson to name the most recognizable ones. With that said, it wasn’t a bad movie. The special effects reminded me of Clash of the Titans, the Harry Hamlin 1981 version (there’s a remake due out this summer that looks superb!) They were sort of cheesy and low budgety for today’s audience.

My overall review: this is a movie for kids. Mine loved it, especially my 18 year old daughter who is totally into Greek mythology. But it just feels like a Harry Potter rip-off. Total pass.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief movie website