Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters a Fangirl Review

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters a Fangirl Review

I think I was just as shocked as anyone when they announced that Percy Jackson was getting a sequel.  Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief was not a huge success here in the states, but due to its popularity in other countries, it made enough money to greenlight a second installment.

I didn’t get a chance to see the first movie while it was in the theater.  Some friends of mine went to see it and really enjoyed it, which prompted them to start reading the 5 book series.  They knew I was looking for a new series to get into and suggested that I might like it, so I gave the books a shot.

It took only a few chapters of The Lighting Thief to hook me into the story.  Rick Riordan, the author of the Percy Jackson series does a fantastic job mingling reality with Greek mythology and takes the reader on a quest of danger, suspense, and fun.  In short it’s the history lesson you wish every teacher you ever had would have given you in school.

 

I blew through the series in no time and fell in love with the characters and the world of Half-Bloods.  When the Lighting Thief came out on Blu-ray I was so excited to watch it.  When I saw who they cast as Percy, Logan Lerman, I thought he was perfect.  He was very close to how I envisioned the character from the books, but unfortunately that was the only positive thing I took away from the movie.   I don’t mind when movies do not strictly follow the books (except in the case of Harry Potter) but the movie felt rushed and the other main characters, Annabeth and Grover were nothing like their characters in the book.  They made Annabeth out to be a worrier with dark hair when she’s blonde in the book and extremely smart, which is her greatest strength, and Grover was made out to be a player.   Watching it felt like they knew they were going to only get one movie so who cares if it’s good or not.  

 

The moment I saw the trailer for the sequel my skepticism lifted.  When I saw that Nathan Fillion was playing Hermes I was sold!  The things that bothered me from the first one seemed to be amended, Annabeth is blonde and Grover seemed more scared and less of a player.  I also liked the replacement for the Chiron character with Anthony Head.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Pierce Brosnan, but he was too cheesy as Chiron.  Anthony Head knows what it’s like to be a Watcher, see Buffy for reference.  

In the Sea of Monsters we find Percy feeling alone and doubting his abilities as a demigod.  His father Poseidon never communicates with him, and since his first quest, he’s no longer the top half-blood on campus.  When the camp’s protective barrier is weakened and its existence threatened Percy and his friends must travel to the Sea of Monsters to recover the Golden Fleece which has the power to heal the barrier and protect the camp once again.  

Director Thor Freudenthal does a great job of bringing the essence of the book to the movie, something I feel was lacking in the first one.  The actors do a nice job in this, especially Nathan Fillion, I’m not biased or anything, but his scenes were the best and he makes a nice reference to a little TV show that got cancelled to soon!  I geeked out over it and if you were a fan, you will too! Plus he does look ruggedly handsome in those UPS shorts!

 

I saw this in 3D, but I wouldn’t make the recommendation that it’s a must see in this format.  I always seem to prefer 3D in my living room more than in the theater, unless I’m seeing something in IMAX.

If there is any justice in the world this movie will do better than the first and they’d greenlight the rest of the series right now! They definitely left it open for it to continue, which made me extremely happy as I left the theater.  

 

Bottom line, if you like Fantasy and Greek Mythology, you will really enjoy this fun family movie.  Fans of the first Percy Jackson and lovers of the book series will love the sequel as well!  If you were on the fence about seeing it for any other reason, jump down from the fence and get to a theater this weekend.  You will not be disappointed.   Don’t be afraid to bring the younger kids.  There is a little violence, but it’s all mythically related and nothing that’s too harsh for them to see.

Be sure too tune into to the next Strange Adventures Podcast where we will be discussing all things Percy!  Look for us on iTunes under Strange Adventures Podcast.