(Rated PG for some scary images, action-type violence, suggestive material, mild profanity): Chris Columbus, who was responsible for directing the first two "Harry Potter" films, breezes through this one as he turns it into a thrilling fantasy for the younger set - abetted by tons of special effects now available to him - almost, but not quite, topping "Avatar" with eye & ear spectaculars.
It's also a superficial but informative introduction to Greek lore, tainted by a simplistic plot aimed at the kids who won't know the diff. Three demigod teens comprise a heroic team - Percy (Logan Lerman), product of Poseidon's loins; Grover (Brandon T. Jackson), Percy's satyr guardian; and Annabeth (Alexandra Daddario), daughter of Athena. From their training camp in the woods (looks like a passle of youthful Robin Hoods at work/play), they are sent on a mission: to find out who has stolen Zeus's lightning bolt & return it to him in 14days, or else.
With heavenly aid that includes a centaur (Pierce Brosnan with a horse's rump) they combat fiery hydras, bypass Medusa (Uma Thurman in snake hair-do), & other obstacles (most of them breathing fire or hissing frighteningly), on "a highway to hell." There they face the culprit amidst more flames & hissing, battling with an unending series of weapons & more deus ex machinas than necessary, going right down to seconds before their time is up. But fear not, in a final helluva battle - well, all's well that ends well, as it does in all similar fantasies, right?
In fact, it doesn't take long to realize that whoever wins or loses each test of brains or strength depends entirely on the script. If you've read the book (the first of five by Rick Riordan), you'll wait through the credits for the BIG surprise. And, perhaps, wait eagerly for the second of the set?
The cast is adequate & Columbus directs this two-hour spectacular as fiercely as he did with his "Potter" movies, but the flare & flash that sustains interest should be credited to Denise Davis & a crew of hundreds of special effects people from half a dozen digital companies. Without them, the film would be a bust. But then, in this limbo of mediocrity, isn't that true about an awful lot of films these days?
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