Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief (Film)

I haven't been around in a while; my reading rut lasted longer than I expected and nothing, not even Brockway, could get me out of my funk. I did, however, get arm-wrestled into reading Rick Riordan's The Lightning Thief and, boy, was I glad. So glad that I actually read the next 4 books in 2 days. It was that good. I've always been fond of Greek mythology and any book that incorporates it into their story (provided it doesn't stray too far from the established mythos) is a win for me. I feel the same way about films so you can just imagine how I felt about the idea of a Percy Jackson Lightning Thief movie: Cue fangirl squeeing. So, how does the film fare when compared to the book it was adapted from? Poorly.

Spoilers Ahoy:

Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the film, however, Rick Riordan's The Lightning Thief, it was not. I really wanted to love this movie. It could be the new Harry Potter in my life. I entered the cinema with an open mind, ready for a great time, but great wouldn't really be the best word to describe the experience because, as much as I enjoyed the film, all the changes jarred me from truly being absorbed in it. Now, I can get over the missing (or added) scenes and the changes in minor details. I can even overlook the horrible casting of certain characters (Athena. UGH.) but changing the plot I cannot ignore. One of the things I liked best about the books is the fact that Hades is not a bad guy. I mean, he's not a good guy but, he's certainly no worse than his Olympian brothers. Heck, he's the only one of the "big three" to keep his end of the pact for crying out loud! In the film he's the mastermind baddie. Yeah, the Lord of the Underworld is evil, real original. No mention whatsoever of Kronos who happens to be the Voldemort of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. Heh.

I heard a sequel movie has been green-lighted so how they're gonna work that back in is a toss up. And who knew that Persephone is a satyr-fondling slut? because I had no idea! Which brings me to another gripe - what's the point of adding new and irrelevant goddesses when you're taking out characters detrimental to the plot? Ares, anybody? Where's Mr. D? Where are the Furies? Where are the Fates? Where's the damn Oracle of Delphi whose prophecy started it all? I know this is starting to come across as a rant so I'm going to stop - although I could go on all day - and I assure you that it's not. I really enjoyed the film - I think - and I'm watching it again this week with DH ( who hasn't read the series) to make sure. My advice: watch the film before you read the books (if you haven't already) because appreciating it on it's own merit is mighty hard when you're already a rabid R.R.'s PJ fangirl.