Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Review

Logan Lerman plays Percy Jackson, the main character in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. If you like the Harry Potter movies, you are going to love Percy Jackson & the Olympians. Now let's not even try to compare this movie to Harry Potter because the Harry Potter movies are classics, but the point here is that those who like Harry Potter, will like Percy Jackson.

Percy Jackson is a regular high school kid who seems to have problems with dyslexic. In school he is studying Greek mythology but Percy has no idea of what an important role he will play in the future of the universe. Brandon T. Jackson plays Grover in the movie, he is Percy's best friend in school but knows a little more about Percy than Percy does. Percy in reality is half god, he is the son of Poseidon and he has been accused of stealing Zeus's lighting bolt. Percy's first strange encounter happens when he is at school being taught by Mr. Brummer, who is later revealed to be Chiron. While there, Percy is attacked by one of his other teachers who is a evil and turns into a monster while trying to get the stolen sword from Percy. Grover then explains to Percy that he is a half blood and then takes him to the land of the Gods. Once there, Percy discovers who Mr. Brummer really is and also discovers that Grover is part lamb. This is why in the real world, Grover used crutches and is also the reason that Mr. Brummer had to act like he needed a wheelchair due to him really being a centaur, they had to hide their identity. Alexandra Daddario also plays a big role in the movie as Annabeth Chase, who is the daughter of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and battle strategy. She sets out on the quest and becomes part of the threesome dual of Percy, Grover, and Annabeth.

It is later in the movie discovered that Luke(played by Jake Abel) is the real lighting thief. Luke is another halfling blessed with his father's unequalled speed, the son of Hermes takes Percy down on a rooftop and corners him, picking up the stolen thunderbolt. He questions Percy's heritage as son of Poseidon. Percy sees several water towers atop nearby buildings and concentrates, breaking the tanks open and gathering the water to deluge Luke. Gathering some of the remaining water and shaping it into a trident, Percy says that he must be the son of Poseidon after all. Hurling the trident, he catches Luke between two of the prongs and casts him into the river.

Annabeth and Sally meet up with Percy at the Empire State building. Annabeth activates a hidden secret elevator that goes up, far past the roof of the building, to Olympus. Sally, as a mortal, is unable to venture forth onto the divine ground. Annabeth and Percy rush to the hall of the gods.

Inside the hall, Zeus and Poseidon are anxiously watching a time-dial as the other deities of the Greek Pantheon sit around them. Zeus announces that midnight has come and the deadline is passed. Just as he is about to pronounce judgement of war, Percy and Annabeth rush into the hall bearing the thunderbolt. Zeus demands its return, and Percy gives it to him, and then reveals Luke as the true lightning thief, explaining that Luke resented all the gods for not caring about their children, and he wanted them to destroy each other so the demigods could rule Olympus. Zeus accepts Percy's explanation and declares peace.

Percy mentions that he and Annabeth escaped the Underworld only because Grover stayed behind. Zeus realizes that Percy wants him to return Grover to the living. He is cynical toward the request, but agrees. Zeus declares the convening of the gods to be adjourned. Poseidon asks to speak to Percy, and Zeus agrees.

Percy is naturally resentful that Poseidon was never around, and that he never got to even meet him. Poseidon acknowledges that Percy was only seven months when he left him and Sally. He says that being with Sally and him made him start to forget his duties and become human, which Zeus didn't approve of, leading him to pass a divine rule prohibiting the gods from having any contact with any children they sired. Poseidon manages to come to terms with Percy, saying he never wanted to leave him or Sally, and was in fact with him in heart and spirit, even if Percy didn't know he was near. He promises that while Percy might not see him again, Poseidon will always be there with and for him-- in his heart, in his thoughts, and in his dreams.

Sally brings Percy back to Camp Halfbreed, where he can fulfill his destiny as a demigod. Although she will miss him, she says it's where he belongs. She also says that she is finally kicking Ugliano out of the house, now that he has served his purpose and she doesn't need him anymore.

Percy is welcomed by everyone back at the camp, and Grover shows him that he's finally gotten his Satyr horns. Chiron starts to admonish Percy for disobeying his orders and leaving camp without permission, but then says that this is why Percy is now his favorite student-- many times he simply has to follow his own instincts. He then sends Percy to suit up for more training.

Final review:

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief is a great movie for those who like fantasy type movies. The movie will really entertain those into Greek mythology as it displays characters such as Zeus, Hades, Athena, Poseidon, Medusa, and many others. I really liked the movie and the only complaint I have about it is one character in the movie. Though he did a decent job in the movie, Brandon T. Jackson did not do a overall great job playing Grover in the movie. Why? Because I noticed throughout the movie that he was supposed to be the funny guy in the movie, but in reality he was not funny at all. He was supposed to be the one who would bring humor to the movie but it was just not there. I believe that someone else could have filled this role way better. Overall, a decent movie to see.

Grade: 7/10