Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

By Odin's Hammer! This one, I have to admit, took me completely by surprise. Not one to turn down free movie tickets, I went along not really expecting much but Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief is actually really quite enjoyable!

Sure there are those out there who will not like it, but to me it was like a really good spin-off from the Harry Potter series.

What did I like about it? I could name a number of things I enjoyed, but at this cynical stage in my life, I think perhaps most of all I enjoyed the surprise of having been entertained by a film which hadn't promised a great deal in my mind. It's not just that it broke down my snarky expectations though. The film is fun, adventure filled, self-deprecating and had some fairly passable computer graphics - not ground breaking, but solid enough to enable the suspense of disbelief.

Pierce Brosnan aside, I found the cast strong and the performance of Logan Lerman (3:10 to Yuma - Great film. Worth owning) very good. There are also a number of fun cameos from Steve Coogan, Rosario Dawson, Sean Bean, Catherine Keener, Joe Pantoliano, Melina Kabana... Canada... Karaka... Kanakaredes and that third guy from Grey's Anatomy who no one thinks is McAnything.

Sometimes the Greek mythological references got a little tired, but overall I found it really interesting and a nice spin on your normal teen action/adventure/coming-of-age flick. I also got a slight sense of smug self-satisfaction from being able to name the gods before their characters were introduced and pick up on other references that were made. Take that mum! Totally justifies the years of Classical Studies and Latin I did in school. I ask you... what good would French or accounting have been in this movie?!

If I had watched this film a few years ago, I really think I could have gotten into it in a big way. Obviously as it stands I really can't become a fanatical supporter of it as I'm far too old and mature. TAG! You're it!!

__________

4 Stars