A demi-magical adventure: A review of Percy Jackson & the Olympians
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: A thrilling adaptation of the beloved book series With a fast-paced and mysterious journey to becoming a demi-god, this long-awaited show lives up to fans' expectations Our review score: 4/5
Fans of the original books have eagerly awaited the arrival of Percy Jackson & The Olympians on Disney Plus, and it's definitely worth the wait. The series, based on the beloved books, follows a young demi-god as he navigates the challenges of the ancient Greek myths and monsters while finding his place in the world.
The 2010 film featuring Logan Lerman was a disappointment, but fans hoped for a better rendition with more input from author Rick Riordan. Will the new series deliver?
The first two episodes are scheduled to premiere next week on Disney Plus. Will they captivate viewers? Here is our review.
Percy Jackson is finally here
Don't be discouraged if you were disappointed by the movie adaptation. Right from the first two episodes, there's a strong resemblance to Percy Jackson. The moment you hear the iconic opening monologue, cautioning you about Percy's adventurous life, you'll sense that you're in for an enjoyable return to Camp Halfblood.
The cast is doing an excellent job of bringing these beloved characters to life, with child performances that are surprisingly relatable and an outstanding performance by star Walker Scobell as both an uncertain kid and a sarcastic demi-god. While some Disney Channel style acting is present, the adults, particularly Jason Mantzoukas as Dionysus, stand out with their fitting performances and entertaining zingers.
The road to becoming a demi-god is fast and dark
The series does a decent job of bringing the secondary characters to the screen, even with some alterations. Gabe is portrayed as less confrontational than in the books, while Percy's female bullies, for some reason, come across as rather simplistic. However, the way the show depicts these bullies is often humorous, capturing the sharpness that distinguished the books from others in the same genre.
When it comes to the show's central conflict, the classic scenes are all present, but there is nothing truly groundbreaking yet. The show attempts to build tension at a steady pace, but scenes can often feel underwhelming, sometimes abruptly coming and going, particularly the dream sequences. The fights that arise from this conflict are also inconsistent. The CGI is acceptable, but one specific battle is nearly impossible to see due to the excessively dark lighting.
Fortunately, the scenes in Camp Halfblood do not suffer the same fate. The camp, closely linked to the books as Percy himself, is just as lively, thrilling, and reassuring as it is described in the pages. Watching the second episode, set entirely at the camp, it's hard not to feel like a kid again and reminisce about wanting to join Camp Halfblood yourself. The show does a fantastic job of making you feel like you're right there, witnessing Percy's journey toward demi-godhood.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians Episodes 1 & 2 review score – 4/5
Although it may not appeal to everyone, those who are not fans of the books may not be immediately captivated, Percy Jackson & the Olympians has already demonstrated the allure that drew kids to the series in the first place.
The series is already embodying the essence of the books, and with even more exciting adventures on the horizon, is there anything more fans could hope for? Don't miss the premiere of Percy Jackson & the Olympians on Disney+ on December 20th. Be sure to explore our other Percy Jackson content as well.
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of the Percy Jackson book series, I was thrilled to hear about the new Disney+ adaptation. The first two episodes did not disappoint! The casting is spot-on, with Walker Scobell perfectly capturing Percy's personality. The show stays true to the books while also bringing a fresh perspective to the story. I can't wait to see where the series goes next.
One thing I particularly enjoyed was the way the show brought Camp Half-Blood to life. The camp is such an important part of the books, and it was great to see it realized on screen. The show also does a great job of capturing the humor and heart of the books. I laughed out loud several times, and I was also moved by some of the more emotional moments. Overall, I highly recommend Percy Jackson & the Olympians to fans of the books and to anyone who enjoys a good adventure story.
