Today sees the movie release of Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightning Thief.

Now, this movie has received a lot of hype (but clever hype, seeing how it’s just the same trailer reformatted over and over again). As a rule of thumb, movies that receive a lot of hype tend to run sour in the theater.

Basically, they turn out to be duds.

Despite the constant previews, I can see Percy Jackson succeeding where others have failed. And that’s the plot and the cinematography.

It’s directed by Chris Columbus (the first and second Harry Potter director) and features the talents of Sean Bean (Zeus), Peirce Brosnan (Chiron), Kevin McKidd (Poseidon) and Logan Lerman from Gamer as Percy Jackson.

And it’s based off the five book series by Rick Riordan. Now, I’m not going to say that the movie has to be exactly like the book, because, to be realistic, that isn’t a feasible idea. There’s too much to any book to ever make a movie spot on.

It’s the plot, the character, and the idea that matters. And from the sneak-peaks, the trailers, and the behind-the-scenes interviews that’s still strong as ever.

What’s not shown in the preview, cleverly so in my opinion, is what exactly the movie is about.

If it was in-keeping with the book, and I believe it is, it’s about a boy, Percy Jackson, discovering he is the son of a Greek god. He’s a demigod (half-human, half-god).

A startling realization for anyone, but especially for Percy because his discovery is at the same time someone steals Zeus’s lightning bolt.

Jackson is accused of stealing the lightning bolt, and if he wants to clear his name and keep Poseidon and Zeus from going to war, he’s going to have to find the real thief.

That’s just the gist of the story. There’s a lot more in it, but, hey, Greek Gods (who turn out to actually exist) about to go to war over a stolen lightning bolt is a pretty gripping plotline. It’s even better with those unknown twists and turns.

On paper, this story reads brilliantly. On the screen, we’ll have to rely on some expert cinematography.

And judging from what’s previewed in trailers and sneak-peaks, this movie has loads of it. The CG effects of the River of Styx and Mt. Olympus (which relocates to different places) in the Empire State building look nicely played. And the action sequences with the harpies, Medusa and the Half-Blood Camp look thrilling.

This movie has loads of potential, and is bound to enthrall you with its unique storytelling.

So, all I can say is, go support Percy Jackson!

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Brosnan, entertainment, McKidd, movie, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan