Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Too scary for younger fans of the popular books.
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Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 154 parent reviews
Based on 580 kid reviews
Kids say that the movie adaptation is a significant disappointment for fans of the original book series, primarily due to its numerous inaccuracies and deviations from the source material. Many reviews note that the characters are misrepresented and aged incorrectly, the plot is confusing and rushed, and the essence of the book's humor and charm is largely lost.
- disappointing adaptation
- inaccurate portrayal
- characters misrepresented
- not worth watching
- plot changes
- book better
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF meets Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman) as he struggles to find his place in school. Percy realizes that something is very wrong when he's attacked by a demonic beast during a class trip and his mom (Catherine Keener) is taken to the underworld. While he's unconscious, his friend Grover (Brandon T. Jackson) whisks him away to a secret camp. Percy wakes up in an infirmary like no other, teeming with teens in Greek battle gear, as he remembers with a jolt what brought him there. Grover, now swapping his earthly disguise of crutches for the godly goat hooves of a satyr, leads Percy through camp explaining that Percy is actually half-god -- and his father isn't just any god, but the sea king Poseidon. But before Percy can even break in his new bunk, Hades (Steve Coogan) accuses him of stealing Zeus' (Sean Bean) master lightning bolt. So Percy decides to go to the underworld to find the truth and save his mother. Grover and daughter-of-Athena Annabeth (Alexandra Daddario) go with him, armed with a magic map from senior camper Luke (Jake Abel) that will lead them to three special pearls -- the key to getting out of the underworld alive. With challenges around every corner, including coming face-to-face with Medusa (Uma Thurman) herself, a hydra, and mind-altering lotus flowers, the trio fights to return Zeus' bolt before a war breaks out between the gods.
Is It Any Good?
Lovers of the book series may have a hard time recognizing this grown-up adaptation of their beloved tales. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief significantly reworks Rick Riordan's fantastic story, which puts mythology in modern times, adds a bit of sass, and makes a hero of a dyslexic everyday kid. With Chris Columbus, the director of the first two Harry Potter movies, at the helm; some great monster special effects; and talented actors even in the supporting roles (including Pierce Brosnan, Thurman, Keener, and Joe Pantoliano), this should have been a hit for the franchise. But the script takes too many liberties with the original plot, disappointing readers while failing to bring in new audiences.
The book saga is a friendship tale at heart. By making the main characters teens instead of tweens in the adaptation, there's less room for the budding relationships fans love. And the gods, as giants, look quite fake, making an important scene where Percy meets his dad fall flat. But for those who tune in without flipping a page, this film is a passable hero's quest.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief compares to the book versions. So much was changed here -- the characters' ages, the plot, the places they visit, etc. Was it still the movie you were hoping for?
Talk about the scare factor. Did anything make you hide under your chair? What mythological monsters would you least like to see in the real world? Does fantasy violence have the same impact as more realistic violence?
Who are your favorite hero characters? Do they usually have humble beginnings, thinking they're nobody special, or do they always know what they're destined for?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 12, 2010
- On DVD or streaming : June 22, 2010
- Cast : Alexandra Daddario , Brandon T. Jackson , Logan Lerman
- Director : Chris Columbus
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Book Characters , Friendship
- Run time : 119 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : action violence and peril, some scary images and suggestive material, and mild language
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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