Starring: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Brandon T Jackson, Anthony Head, Stanley Tucci, Jake Abel, Nathan Fillion.
Director: Thor Freudanthal
My son and I both love this series of books, combining Greek Mythology with modern day kids in a heroic situation is kind of brilliant and really gets kids interested in ancient history. However, after the only minor success of the first one, I really didn't think a second one would ever come about and was very surprised when I read this was being made. Some say Chris Columbus was just waiting to finish all the Harry Potter hype before concentrating on further films, maybe that was true. Regardless, I'm happy to say this was a worth sequel.
I really love sequels that bring back the same actors and blend almost seamlessly into the previous movie. I think you could easily sit down and watch this movie straight after the first one and while you would notice a few changes in the actors themselves, it's pretty well done.
Percy's adventures take him across the seas this time to the legendary Sea of Monsters, or what we humans call the Bermuda Triangle, in search of the mythical Golden Fleece. Percy's two best friends accompany him once more but this time they have a new companion in the form of Tyson, the Cyclops half brother of Percy.
Sadly, Pierce Brosnan did not return in this sequel to play the role of Chiron the Centaur, but Anthony Head does a great job filling in. I also love the addition of Stanley Tucci to the cast as Dionysus, God of Wine, cursed by Zeus to forever drink water. Stanley Tucci is fabulous in whatever he does these days.
Noticeably missing were any cameos from either Sean Bean as Zeus or Kevin McKidd as Poseidon. I wonder if they didn't offer them enough money to come back or they weren't interested in coming back.
All that aside, a great film for the school holidays, no swearing, obviously a bit of violence in fighting monsters etc, but a fantastic ride through Greek Mythology once more.
