Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief (2010)

PERCY JACKSON & THE LIGHTNING THIEF (DVD)

Release Date: July 5th, 2010
Certificate: PG
Running Time: 105 minutes
Language: Swedish with English subtitles

Director: Chris Columbus

Cast: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Brandon T. Jackson, Pierce Brosnin, Catherine Keener

Epic, fantasy-adventure Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief will bring Greek mythology to life this summer when it’s released on DVD and Blu-ray on the 5th July. The film follows teenager Percy Jackson, as an ordinary 21st century school day turns into a race against time, filled with warring Greek gods and creatures straight from the pages of his mythology textbooks.

While it may seem like a Harry Potter knock-off with its title, Percy Jackson offers something quite different from Hogwarts, spells and broomsticks, bringing the world of Greek mythology bursting to life. It mixes high school, teen angst and ancient Gods with a fast-paced story barely taking a moment for the obligatory screen kiss between Percy and Annabeth. The movie solely belongs to the young cast though while appearances by the veterans are reduced to only a couple of scenes each which is a shame as Brosnan and Bean are never onscreen together (older fans may remember they were arch enemies in Goldeneye, 1995). Thurman does a wonderful turn as the snaked-headed Medusa and thoroughly seemed to have enjoyed every minute of it being no stranger to villainy (Batman & Robin, 1997 and Kill Bill, 2003).

The visual effects are what you would expect from a movie today. With its PG rating the monsters are enough to be scary but not enough to induce catatonic nightmares. As the trio go on their quest to find the pearls and the lightning bolt to rescue Percy’s mother, they face a multi-headed monster and travel to the Underworld which is depicted in all its stunning burning glory and filled with lost dreams, hopes and wishes.

Based on the best-selling books by Rick Riordan, this fast-paced adventure features an all-star cast that includes; Pierce Brosnan (Mamma Mia, James Bond), Rosario Dawson (Alexander, Sin City) and Jake Abel (The Lovely Bones), and will be available as a Blu-ray Triple Play including a hi-def Blu-ray disc for home viewing, a DVD for the kids and a Digital Copy disc for watching on the go; a complete collection for the ultimate family viewing experience.

Definitely a good one for the kids during the summer vacation but am not sure if they’ll be reading Homer’s Odyssey or The Iliad after!