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Logan Lerman is back as the demigod Percy Jackson, Son of Poseidon, in this year’s Percy Jackson & The Olympians: Sea of Monsters along with co-stars Alexandra Daddario as Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena; Jake Abel as Luke Castellan, son of Hermes and Brandon T. Jackson as Grover Underwood, the trusty satyr. With almost three years in the making, the demigods return for another quest to save Camp Half-Blood offering the audience a chance to experience stories from Greek Mythology applied to the modern world. This action-packed and magic-filled movie will surely raise the hearts of many Percy Jackson & The Olympians sequel enthusiasts.
Percy is found within the protective walls of the camp struggling with his fading glory from his previous camp-saving quest in Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief. He also struggles with a new strict camp master, an unbearable camp rivalry, a discovery of another son of the sea god and some issues with being unable to connect with his sea god father, Poseidon.
An unexpected incident causes casualty in the camp and brings down its defense system. Thalia, the protective tree barrier of the camp is in danger of dying and the only cure called the Golden Fleece makes the demigods eager to be chosen for a quest to once again save the camp.
Percy of the 21st century battles with mythological creatures, old rivals, and personal issues in order to save the camp, his friends and himself from falling into a grave prophecy.
The film features the unbreakable bond of Percy and his friends, Annabeth and Grover. In any instance of trouble or unexpected mishap, these three always have each other’s back. Tyson, the newly found brother of Percy also develops a close bond and a little tension with Annabeth. The quest tests their patience and strengthens their bond.
Following the theme of the hero’s journey, Percy goes through the urge to save and abandon camp, he is faced with challenges with his destiny and personality plus the temptation to join the side of evil. The prophecy is his abyss that has him doubting himself but also becomes his reason to find understanding of his purpose, strength and capabilities as a hero or better yet, a demigod. And in this journey, Percy is doomed to question his next path.
Lovers of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians sequels have been waiting for the film to give justice to the book. Comparing it to the first movie, Percy shows the maturity or evolution of a hero. From the revelation of Percy’s true identity as a demigod in the first movie, this film shows how Percy has embraced his identity but still showing that the hero is faced with problems. The focus is no longer greatly directed towards Percy’s growth as a demigod but to Thalia, the prophecy and the sake of the camp.
Being an adaptation, scenes from the book are more aligned than they were in the first movie. There were scenes that were altered with a modern twist but either way, translated the book into a different level.
Battle scenes are intensified since Percy has been able to fully train and is now greatly driven to save his friends, the camp and the rest of the world from Luke’s plan of domination.
However, this film appears to be a movie for the readers and followers of the first movie rather than a film for the general audience to watch. There needs to be a background check otherwise a lot would be asking what’s happening, who is this, what is that. Although in some occasional scenes, the characters explain what the creatures are, there is the loss of significance of Greek mythology as the audience may pass some of the creatures to be just a creation for the sake of the movie.
The script seems to be heard from somewhere else before and sets off a cliché in some scenes. In themes that the film presents, some of the scenes were presented in a way that it becomes predictable to non-readers of the sequel. Even so, people will look forward to the next movie because of the effective cliffhanger this film gave. Percy is yet again about to face a dilemma that comes at the end of the quest in saving Camp Half-Blood.
For the sequel lovers, it is definitely a step up from the first movie. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: Sea of Monsters is a movie to watch for those who are enthralled with Greek mythology, classic sword fights and hero quests.
