On DVD: 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief'

'Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief' (PG) (3 stars)

Writer: Craig Titley based on novel by Rick Riordan
Director: Chris Columbus
Starring: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Brandon T. Jackson, Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Uma Thurman, Jake Abel, Steve Coogan, Rosario Dawson, Catherine Keener, Joe Pantaliano

I had fun with "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" and I am finally seeing a movie about Greek mythology that gets it right and is fun. When we are given crap like "Troy" and the "Clash of the Titans" remake that get it totally wrong it gets frustrating. I am one of the frustrated because growing up I absolutely cherished Greek mythology and learning about it. I felt no sense of wonderment or fun watching the other attempts but I had fun here. Based on a series of popular novels by Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson is a teenager who finds out he is the son of a God, Poseidon to be exact, and finds out his destiny. He is supposed to find the Lightning Thief, the one who stole the thunderbolt of Zeus. The Gods think it is him as he chased by Hades and other Gods who want the bolt back. Percy finds out he is special and is taken to train as a warrior. He meets up with his protector and finds a very hot and beautiful female warrior. At first she doesn't like him but we all know she will really dig him by the end. The movie then becomes a road movie as the three drive all around the states to find three pearls that will transport them to Hades to find Percy's mother who is trapped in Hades. I like the spirit of this movie, liked Lerman as Percy and loved seeing Uma Thurman as a wonderful Medusa. I also was thrilled to see Catherine Keener and Rosario Dawson since I have major crushes on both of them. This movie nails the fun and sense of wonder of Greek mythology. It mixes it well with the modern day setting. The special effects look good and compared to garbage like this year's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" and "The Prince of Persia" this gets the job done and it is fun.