Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Trailer Review

"The Wolfman" and "Valentine's Day" have competition coming in the form of lightening wielding, water commanding GODS! "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief", finds its way into theaters on Friday February 12th, 2010.

What I can gather from the trailer is that the plot revolves around a young boy named Percy Jackson who inevitably discovers that he is the son of the Greek God Poseidon and for some reason at this exact moment in his life, his Uncle Zeus' lighting bolt has been stolen. QUESTION? Why does Zeus only have ONE lighting bolt?.... Just a thought. So anyway, as the "hero's journey" creedo demands, Percy seems to take up the mantle in finding Zeus' lighting bolt, fulfilling some sort of destiny in the process, that makes this movie possible.

The movie is directed by Chris Columbus whose most recent work includes "I Love, You Beth Cooper" and past works including "Adventures in Babysitting", "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". Granted, the only thing "I Love You, Beth Cooper" had going for it was a naked Hayden Paneittiere, the movie was down right horrible and not something I would base the success of "Percy Jackson" on. So stick with Columbus' skill as a director in the fun times of Babysitting and the magic and wonder he so wonderfully kicked off the Potter films with, to compel you to see this movie, or at least consider it. There is no getting around the fact that after seeing this trailer I was immediately reminded of the Harry Potter films the difference being that we are dealing with bringing the Greek Gods in our world as subject matter here, and I for one am sold on that concept alone.

The movies star power is in its Gods. You have Sean Bean from The "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" as Zeus, Rosario Dawson from "Clerks 2" and "Sin City" as Persephone, and Uma Thurman from "Kill Bill" as Medusa. I'm sold on the women but I honestly wish they could have gotten another actor for the role of Zeus. For me Zeus is a character that is commanding, not just someone who "looks" commanding sitting in a chair made by the art department. Don't get me wrong I enjoy Sean Bean's work as an actor but seeing him in the role reminds me too much of Lord of the Rings. I would have preferred some one like Ray Winstone (Beowulf, Sexy Beast, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) for the role. All of these actors have been in these genre fantasy movies at one point and like this one, I'm expecting nothing less than for each of them to chew up the screen having fun playing their iconic roles.

Chris Columbus selected one of the most famous trio's/casts' in cinema for the Harry Potter series and judging by how well that series is doing presently, whose to say it can't be done again. Each of the actors seems to be put in a roll that fits them and no one seems out of place.

Like most movies these days "Percy Jackson" is based off another popular children's novel from author Rick Riordan and of course Greek Mythology. What I like about this movie is that its set it the present day. Its nice to see a fresh new take, spin, vision, of very famous beings from Greek Mythology. There have been older T.V. shows, like Young Hercules, that dealt with the same subject matter, but when you bring it into present day your introducing a wider audience and a newer one at that to said Mythology.

I think this movie will do very well at the box office because of the wider demographic the movie looks to be aiming for. Who knows it may be the surprise hit of that weekend. My prediction is $20 to $25 million

I'm really hoping that this movie delivers on the excitement and adventure the trailer gives us, cause if not, Zeus might as well have swallowed this flick along with all his kids. But If your not sure about "The Wolfman" and if you don't have the desire to hear grown men and women figure out why they don't have dates in the movie "Valentine's Day", then I say Go and See "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief". It looks to be a movie that will suspend the imagination of kids, teenagers, and adults alike for a few hours and have a good time. If anything it may make you want to look up some Greek Mythology.

Dueces!
Bobby