Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

New York City teenager Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman) learns that he is actually the son of Poseidon, the Greek god, and that he’s in danger since Zeus believes that Percy stole his famed lightning bolt. This version of Rick Riordan’s first book in the Percy Jackson series is an obvious attempt to start another successful movie franchise in the vein of Harry Potter. The film begins to drag in its final half-hour and may be too silly for some adults, but young teens will likely get a kick out of this adventure that cleverly introduces them to Greek mythology. Visual effects vary in quality, but the cast is having fun.

2010-U.S.-Canada. 119 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Chris Columbus. Novel: Rick Riordan. Cast: Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson), Brandon T. Jackson (Grover), Alexandra Daddario (Annabeth), Jake Abel, Sean Bean, Pierce Brosnan… Steve Coogan, Rosario Dawson, Catherine Keener, Joe Pantoliano, Uma Thurman.

Trivia: Alternative title: Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief.