| Flicks

FLICKS: Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

Posted on 15 August 2013 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

cinemadave.livejournal.com

With very little fanfare, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief opened in 2010 and earned a respectable box office gross. Based on a series of novels written by Rick Riordan, the film boasted a fine supporting cast, including Uma Thurman, Pierce Brosnan and Sean Bean. Fans eagerly awaited the sequel, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, which has now been released; but three years is a long time for a sequel based on juvenile fiction. The young leads Logan Lerman (as Percy) and Alexandra Daddario (as Annabeth) return, but the cost-cutting is very apparent.

In the first movie, Percy is a dyslexic kid who discovers that he has an affinity for water. Labeled a freak by the “cool” kids, Percy attends a Special Educational program and learns that his father is a god on Mount Olympus. At the school, Percy meets other “freaks,” who are actually “half bloods.”

After saving the world in the first movie, Percy and Annabeth learn that their school is in danger of being destroyed by an ornery Cyclopes (Derek Mears). The shield that protects the school is crumbling and it is up to Percy and his friends to find the Golden Fleece that was originally obtained by Jason and the Argonauts.

Despite the budgetary restrictions, this is an enjoyable film with clever moments. We eventually find out about a West Palm Beach connection and learn that the Sea of Monsters is another name for the dreaded Bermuda Triangle. Since the young cast is so likeable, it would be silly not to sit back and enjoy the ride, for this is a good family film.

For a free family experience before school starts next week, the 50th Anniversary Screening of King Kong versus Godzilla will be held at Imperial Point Library Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. Admission is FREE and popcorn will be served while supplies last. Like the new Percy Jackson film, in this King Kong film, one feels the good intentions despite the budgetary restrictions

I was three reading levels behind my peers and 9 years old when I saw King Kong versus Godzilla. Forty-one years later, I have been the film columnist with the Observer for 14 years and have just self-published my second book, a mythical novella titled Davy Jones & the Heart of Darkness, which is available through Amazon.com.

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