Welcome to “Percy Jackson Review,” your ultimate destination for all things demigodly and mythical! Dive into the enchanting world of Percy Jackson, where gods and monsters collide with the everyday challenges of being a teenager. Unleash the magic of Rick Riordan’s beloved series through our captivating reviews, insightful analyses, and exclusive interviews. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a newcomer to Camp Half-Blood, our entertainment hub is your passport to the thrilling adventures, humorous escapades, and epic battles that define Percy’s extraordinary journey. Join us as we explore the realms of Greek mythology, share fan theories, and celebrate the timeless legacy of Percy Jackson!
Percy Jackson Review
In an honest statement, author Rick Riordan once referred to the 2010 movie version of his book The Lightning Thief as “my life’s work going through a meat grinder.” The first book in Rick Riordan’s children’s book series Percy Jackson & the Olympians was54 once attempted to be adapted into a corny, generic fantasy movie that strayed so far from the book’s original plot that both fans and the author couldn’t seem to forgive. So what should we make of the recently launched Disney+ series, which feels even more disconnected from the spirit of the books while having Riordan’s endorsement as executive producer and co-writer?
This is an accurate blueprint for those who are looking for nothing more. Walker Scobell’s portrayal of Percy and his friends in the show feels like actual middle school students, in contrast to Chris Columbus’s 2010 picture, which aged up its heroes. Additionally, the plot points align well with the novel—at least according to the four episodes that were made available for review.
But the cogent world-building of the novels, Percy’s sharp, snarky narrative voice, and—above all—Riordan’s lightning-fast pacing are conspicuously absent from this new translation. A struggling sixth student named Percy practically scampers across the page as Riordan reveals a hidden world of Greek monsters and goddesses coexisting with our everyday American reality. Percy realizes he is a demigod, half-mortal, half-Olympian.
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The fundamentally subversive idea of Riordan’s works—that dyslexia and ADHD are badges of godliness—gives his heroes’ adventures a defiant sense of underdogism. However, the series is gloomy and slumberous, in contrast to the lively and funny novels. Beginning with a voiceover from Percy, the gloomy pilot rapidly gives up on his central sardonic viewpoint and hands over much of the narration to Percy’s mother (Virginia Kull), who delivers a deluge of breathless information that will be unintelligible to those who are not familiar with the premise.
It appears that the writers are still getting used to the rhythms of the nearly eight-episode miniseries. There’s a sensation of waiting for time and cramming stuff at the same time. To make each episode last longer, even the monsters appear to move slowly, which degrades the exciting confrontations in the books into low-stress standoffs. What little momentum has been built up is also needlessly interrupted by the show’s numerous cut-to-black transitions.
The main cast, which includes Leah Jeffries as Athena’s saltily stubborn daughter Annabeth and Aryan Simhadri as Percy’s satyr protector Grover, is endearing, even though the scripts rarely give Percy and his friends the clever repartee they deserve. With his incredibly cynical side-eye looks and self-deprecating one-liners, Scobell most closely resembles the Percy of the novels: Is there a Greek god of disappointment? Percy wonders when he arrives at Camp Half-Blood, where the demigods are sorted by immortal parents, still not knowing which deity is his father. Perhaps you ought to inquire if he is missing a child.
There’s a glimpse of what might have been in the last minute of the second episode, even though that Greek god of disappointment seems unwilling to lift his curse on Percy Jackson adaptations—the 2019 Broadway musical, whose co-writer, Joe Tracz, also co-penned a couple of these episodes, may come closest to capturing the book’s quickwittedness. Poseidon claims Percy as his son and sends a thrilling message vibrating through the lake at Camp Half-Blood. It’s a rare occasion in the series that a significant aspect of Percy’s identity suddenly falls into place, deserving of a special hero’s mythological journey.
Summary
The “Percy Jackson” Disney+ series, endorsed by author Rick Riordan, evoked mixed reactions in its early reviews. While praised for authentic portrayals and adherence to the original plot, critics note a lack of the book’s spirit, pacing issues, and a somber tone. The series struggles to capture Riordan’s quick-witted narrative and iconic world-building, leaving fans anticipating more from this adaptation.