Film Review: ‘Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters’ is Driven by Myth

Printer-friendly versionE-mail page to friendPDF version

CHICAGO – Although on the surface, the Percy Jackson stories may seem like Harry Potter rip-offs, the use of a mythology theme and a slyer sense of humor does give them some distinction and life. It also provides several moments of unintentional laughs in “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.”

Rating: 3.0/5.0

One disadvantage of the Percy Jackson series is that it always has to introduce itself. Their concept is so daunting, that it takes a bit of time to process. Percy Jackson is the half-human, half-god son of Poseidon. He goes to a “camp” populated by other demigods to learn divine skills. So far, so Potter. But it is the explanation of all the relationships in the camp that is somewhat batty, and they’re given exposition with bursts of mangled dialogue that must connect a relationship to some Greek god, and at the same time what power is derived from them. This is the type of information that is easily forgettable, which creates a choppiness to the film. However, the series also has a good sense of humor, winking at the camera often and making fun of the very hyperbole associated with being the sons and daughters of gods.

Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman) is the half human/half god son of Poseidon, going through his training at Camp Half-Blood. His allies at the camp include Annabeth (Alexandra Daddario) and Grover (Brandon T. Jackson). The force field that protects the camp is falling apart, and it is found that the tree that controls the field – possessed by a former student named Thalia who was killed protecting the camp – is dying at the same time.

The gang of teen demigods want to go on a mission to obtain the Golden Fleece, which contains healing powers. This is complicated by a one-eyed Cyclops named Tyson (Douglas Smith), who claims to be Percy’s half brother. He tags along on the mission, which includes the god Hermes (Nathan Fillion), the villainous Luke (Jake Abel) and an adventure in the Sea of Monsters.

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters”

Mr. D. (Stanley Tucci) and Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman) in ‘Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters’ Photo credit: 20th Century Fox

Continue reading for Patrick McDonald’s full review of “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters”