Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Thor Freudenthal, Fox 2000 Pictures, PG 106 Minutes.
Percy Jackson returns in this entertaining sequel with Logan Lerman reprising his role as Poseidon’s son together with love interest Annabeth (Alexandra Daddari – ‘Baywatch’) and best friend Grover (Brandon Jackson – ‘Tropic Thunder’) – his loyal protector – as they embark on another thrilling action adventure.
The story opens with the threesome at Camp Half-Blood for demigods managed by Mr. D (Stanley Tucci – ‘Hunger Games’) and the centaur Chiron (Anthony Head – ‘Convenience’) when Percy hears that it is Zeus’ daughter Thalia providing the camp’s protective energy shield.
Following a visit by his half-brother Cyclops Tyson (Douglas Smith – ‘Antiviral’) Percy is then told of Thalia (Paloma Kwiatkowski – ‘Cheat’) being morphed into a magical tree and of her impending death after being poisoned by frenemy Luke (Jake Abel – ‘Love & Mercy’).
Her restoration rests with the healing powers of the mythical Golden Fleece triggering Percy, his companions including Tyson, to undertake a perilous journey to an island in the Bermuda Triangle known by the gods as the Sea of Monsters.
At the same time Percy is aware of a rival demigod (none other than the devious Luke) intent on seeking the same fleece in order to resurrect the Greek Titan Kronos that will enable him to destroy Olympus.
It then becomes a race against time between Percy and Luke as each attempts to gain the upper hand but first must battle the magical monsters lurking within the treacherous sea before confronting the gigantic Cyclops guarding the fleece.
It is left to Percy to deal with the diabolical Kronos after disposing of Cyclops and vanquishing the Titan using his father’s sword before he is able to retrieve the fleece and restore Thalia to her original lifeform.
By restoring Thalia’s life Percy and friends have been able to save their beloved Camp Half-Blood and continue their combat training for their next enthralling adventure whenever it should occur.
Despite Greek mythology permeating this sequel Freudenthal’s family fantasy still lacks the excitement generated in the original but is nevertheless a pleasing continuation of novelist Rick Riordan’s mythical interpretation on demigods/half-bloods based on his popular Percy Jackson books.
The major highlight would have to be the special effects intertwined within an interesting storyline that may not be as enjoyable as ‘Percy Jackson-The Lightening Thief’.
Percy Jackson – Sea of Monsters is being televised on Channel 7flix at 6.30PM on Friday 19 June.
Vic’s Verdict: 3 Stars
