20141104: Adventure Review--Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

1. Fundamentals, reception.
1. American live action feature length film, 2013, PG, 106 minutes, adventure, fantasy.
2. IMDB: 5.910.0 from 65,846 audience ratings.  Estimated budget, 90 million USD.
3. Rotten Tomatoes: 41% on the meter; 56% liked it from 101,862 audience ratings.
4. I saw this on HBO.
5. Directed by: Thor Freudenthal.
6. Starring: Logan Lerman as Percy Jackson, Alexandra Dadario as Annabeth, Douglas Smith as Tyson, Levin Rambin as Clarisse, Brandon T. Jackson as Grover, Jake Abel as Luke, Anthony Head as Chiron, Stanley Tucci as Mr. D (Dionysis), Nathan Fillian as Hermes, Paloma Kwiatkowski as Thalia.


2. Setup and Plot
1. The time is the present; the genre is fantasy, in particular the world according to Greek mythology.  The story centers around a safe camp for 'half bloods' who are the children of Olympian deities and humans.


2. This film is the sequel to Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief.  The mentors of the camp are Chiron and Mr D.  Percy Jackson (son of Poseidon) and Clarisse (daughter of Ares) are still in contention.  Percy has been coming in behind Clarisse in most of the training contests that are a regular feature of camp life.


3. At the start of the film, Thalia is shown dying heroically to save the camp from marauders.  Her father, Zeus, gave her a second life as a tree that generates a field that protects the camp full time.


4. Years later, the camp is broken into by a huge mechanical bull that has flame throwing capabilities.  The bull breaks the shield and delivers what appears to be a fatal blow to Thalia.  Percy destroys the bull with Poseidon's sword.  Luke shows up soon afterward with allies who have joined his cause to bring down Olympus.  Luke is repelled, and the camp goes on high alert.


5. To heal the camp's defense, Chiron and Mr D decide to send a group to the Sea of Monsters to gain the Golden Fleece from Polyphemus Island.  Clarisse is chosen to head this team, and Percy is not included.  Percy, Annabeth (daughter of Athena), Grover, and Percy's new found half-brother Tyson (son of Poseidon) decide to go as a second team.


6. Standing in their way is Luke and his minions, who wish to bring Kronos back from the dead.  Other obstacles include the denizens of the Sea of Monsters, time running out, and large distances.  Allies include Hermes and Poseidon, who help mightily, but indirectly.


7. Will Percy and his friends find a way to restore a semblance of order?


3. Conclusions
1. One line summary: Rebel demigods strive to resurrect Kronos to overthrow Olympus.
2. Three stars of five.


4. Scores
1. Cinematography: 7/10 Mostly fine.  The often present CGI was variable in quality, much of it good.


2. Sound: 8/10 The dialog was clear.  The choices of music were indeed atmospheric, but not all that apropos.


3. Acting: 6/10 I enjoyed Nathan Fillion the best; Stanley Tucci and Anthony Head were also good.  The performances of the younger set were not so fine.


4. Screenplay: 6/10 The narrative moves right along, but is somewhat predictable.