Plot:
Zeus' master bolt has been stolen. The suspected thief? Son of Poseidon, Percy Jackson. The only problem? Percy actually didn't do it. Actually, Percy doesn't even know he's a demi-god until he is attacked by a fury at school and is rushed to a camp for half-bloods (demi-gods). Someone has framed Percy, Hades has taken Percy's mom, and Percy has ten days to return the bolt else the Gods will war (with humans caught in the middle). Percy decides to leave the camp and head to Hades to save his mom. In order to leave Hades, Percy and his friends Annabeth and Grover would need one of Persephone's pearls. The three set out across America to recover the pearls and head to Hades. The journey is not without incident, as they have to battle a hydra and medusa in order to recover the pearls. Percy confronts Hades, and the bolt appears in the shield a fellow camper, Luke, had lent him. Percy discovers Luke framed him, and rushes to return the bolt to Zeus to tell him and stop the war. Persephone helps, disabling Hades so that they can escape Hades. Percy battles Luke at the entrance to Olympus, wins, and returns the bolt.
Comparison to book:
The movie is vastly different from the book. Basically the entire plot is different, missing key events and characters from the book. The thrust of the movie plot is traveling around to recover Persephone's pearls, however in the book Percy is given the pearls as a gift from his father. In the book, Percy is given this journey as a quest to recover the bolt. In the movie, Percy sets out against the will of the camp with the main intention of recovering his mother. Despite glaring differences, the movie is good in its own right.
Review:
I actually enjoyed the movie, despite how different it was from the book. The casting was excellent, the effects were really well done, and I enjoyed it. I think my favorite part of this movie is that it is a representation of one of the most popular series right now: the Percy Jackson books. Tweens are consuming these books at record pace right now, and many local libraries can't keep them on the shelf. Tweens love to *complain* about this movie. They watch it, but they are all annoyed that it strayed so far from the story of the book. I think the movie is relevant in tween culture right now. Tweens are watching it... but they are very opinionated about it. Librarians can use this to their advantage! Tweens that have seen the movie can be urged to read the book, assured that it is even better. The movie will also spark debate and critical thinking, as many tweens have very strong feelings about the movie one way or the other.
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