Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Book to Box Office: A Film Review of Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
Directed by Thor Freudenthal
Written by Marc Guggenheim and based on the novel by Rick Riordan
Starring Logan Lerman, Alexandra Deddario, and Brandon T. Jackson

The IMBD Synopsis:
In order to restore their dying safe haven, the son of Poseidon and his friends embark on a quest to the Sea of Monsters to find the mythical Golden Fleece while trying to stop an ancient evil from rising. 


My Review: 
I actually rather enjoyed this movie. I truthfully didn't have high expectations for it after the first film, but with a new director and writer, I did try to have a more open mind about it. 

First of all, the translation from novel to screenplay was well done. It certainly wasn't as bad as the first book. While this one did venture some from the original plot of the novel, much of it was forgivable. The characters were well done and casted. They were mostly true to their literary characters, which made the film so much more enjoyable. I thought the introduction of Tyson went well. His character was just as lovable as in the novel. Also, the actor change of Chiron and Mr. D worked out for the better. I can't think of better replacements than Anthony Head for Chiron and Stanley Tucci for Mr. D. Tucci especially, with his natural humor, helped the film really capture Riordan's witty narrative. 

The acting was well done. Again, I think the new characters were supreme, but I'm so glad they kept the main protagonists and antagonists the same as the first film. It definitely felt like a continuation of Percy's quest. While Logan Lerman seemed to have physically matured in the role, his acting was true to Percy's character from the novel and the previous film. And the presence of Nathan Fillion was extraordinary. 

Some of the setting and sets seemed hastily strewn together and sloppy. The major change of Circe's island from Spa to Carnival seemed unnecessary and the Cyclops cave was poorly created, whether it was the props, the set, or the CGI I can't identify, but something was just 'off'. 

The movie was still entertaining despite some cheesy lines and props. It captured the edge-of-seat thrill along with the comedic streak. The actors did a fine job with their characters and the introduction of new characters was smooth and even tasteful. Therefore, I give this a four out of five stars. 


You can read my review of Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan HERE

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