Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013) – “Forget the Oracle. You don”t like your destiny? Write a new one!”

Director: Thor Freudenthal

Writer: Marc Guggenheim

Actors: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Brandon T. Jackson, Anthony Head, Jake Abel

Edge and Back: 6/10

Mr. D:  You know the Christians have a guy who can do this but in the opposite direction.

Mr. D: Now that’s a god.

Three years have past and Percy Jackson emerges with a story that makes Rick Riordan’s books fit for the small screen. The first question marks rise when we take a look at the cast members. If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of Sean Bean as Zeus or Kevin McKidd as Poseidon you might be disappointed when you won’t find them in this picture. Also a clear sign of budget cuts and trouble during conception and shooting is the changes made with the cast and crew and special effects. Out Pierce Brosnan in came Anthony Head as Chiron. This change might have been a blessing in disguise as Head is no stranger to roles of guiding young men and women and the casting choice is an interesting touch, however his presence on screen is so little that when it comes to character development and getting to know his story, all is ignored completely over the lost and found sibling main plot.

Percy finds out he has a half brother, Tyson ( Douglas Smith) yet his troubles are bigger than another lost and found family member. I guess when your father is a God and the myths speak of countless offspring each Olympian had, a tiny detail like another brother or sister coming to meet and greet you is yesterday’s news.  The gang: Percy, Annabeth and Grover always gave the feeling of wannabes Harry, Hermione and Ron but when it comes to catch to box office thunder, the Harry Potter movies delivered. This is why the tales of Percy might have been better for the small screen. A TV series could explore the relations between the students of Half-Blood camp, the struggles they face, the countless family dramas potential with each God and child. Luke, Hermes son played by Jake Abel has come out from “Supernatural” with the grooming of what it takes to deliver on sibling rivalry and daddy issues. He does it well and a scene with Nathan Fillion (Hermes) would have been perfect if  a decent script would have been penned.

Here’s the best of anything the Percy Jackson movies can bring to the table: a refreshing spin on the myths of Ancient Greece. Here’s the downside: many myths, too many story-lines and characters and a movie every three years can’t do justice. Something similar graced the small screen in the form of “Young Hercules”, a series created for the teen audience of “Hercules: Legendary Journeys” and “Xena: Warrior Princess”. This is where Percy Jackson’s adventures belong. Sea of Monsters it’s campy, it gives some fun punch lines and has a story with a start, middle and an ending with the chances of a sequel in the making. For children and teens it’s a good movie just because it doesn’t lures you with fake promises and perhaps the execs should consider a TV movie venture for this set of novels.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters loves to make you think. Where did you see this scene? Borrowing from Harry Potter is seen in plenty of moments. From the Oracle who bears resemblance to Sybil Trelawney to the Taxi Cab in the woods, an homage if you can take it as such to the Forbidden Forest and the vehicle from J.K. Rawling’s books. While the main cast doesn’t shine with anything in particular, Jake Abel steals the show. They say the bigger the villain, the better the hero and if you have a complex nemesis, you’re in for some fun and good plots. The same can’t be said for Ares daughter, Clarisse (Leven Rambim) who transitions way too quickly from a brat and foe to the unwilling partner and friend of the Trio. The half-brother plot simply doesn’t catch, it was sense in presenting a new lesson to the main character but the script doesn’t offer much for Tyson besides some catchy line and quirky demeanor.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monster it’s a decent and nice tale for children and teens but the full potential of this story lies in transforming the movies into a TV show. With Once Upon a Time already on air, teens and Greek myths could have some good ratings.