Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)

A teenager discovers he's the descendant of a Greek god and sets out on an adventure to settle an on-going battle between the gods.

Director:

Chris Columbus

Writers:

Craig Titley (screenplay), Rick Riordan (novel)

Stars:

Logan Lerman, Kevin McKidd, Steve Coogan

11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Logan Lerman	...	Percy Jackson
Brandon T. Jackson	...	Grover
Alexandra Daddario	...	Annabeth
Jake Abel	...	Luke
Sean Bean	...	Zeus
Pierce Brosnan	...	Mr. Brunner / Chiron
Steve Coogan	...	Hades
Rosario Dawson	...	Persephone
Melina Kanakaredes	...	Athena
Catherine Keener	...	Sally Jackson
Kevin McKidd	...	Poseidon
Joe Pantoliano	...	Gabe Ugliano
Uma Thurman	...	Medusa
Julian Richings	...	Ferryman
Bonita Friedericy	...	Hysterical Woman

Storyline

When his lightning bolt is stolen, Zeus accuses Poseidon's son Percy Jackson and gives Poseidon's son fourteen days to return it, otherwise he will initiate a war amongst the gods. Meanwhile the teenager, Percy, who is dyslexic and has ADHD is visiting The Museum of Metropolitan of Art and is attacked by a Fury disguised in his teacher. His physically handicapped best friend Grover reveals that Percy is a demigod and that he is his protector and his teacher Mr Brunner gives him a pen telling him that it is a powerful weapon. They go to Percy's house and together with his mother Sally they drive to the Camp Half-Blood. However Sally is attacked by a Minotaur and vanishes before Percy can help her. In the camp, Percy befriends the gorgeous Annabeth; when they are attacked by Hades who wants the lighting bolt for himself, Percy discovers that his mother is in the Underworld with Hades. Percy decides to travel on a dangerous quest to retrieve the lightning bolt and save his mother. Grover...

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Plot Keywords:

athena character | medusa character | poseidon character | male protagonist | cousin relationship | 

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Taglines:

Worlds collide.

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for action violence and peril, some scary images and suggestive material, and mild language

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the Greek myths, Persephone was abducted by Hades into the Underworld, but Zeus demanded her return on Earth. However, Hades tricked her into eating pomegranate seeds, and was forced to stay in the Underworld during the winter months, and returning to Earth the rest of the year. However, in the film, Percy Jackson had ten more days until the summer solstice to return Zeus' master bolt, and during the time, Persephone was seen in the Underworld at spring time.

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Goofs

In one scene, when Percy is new to the camp, he & Chiron are talking alone by the lake. When the camera is on Chiron, Chiron's arms are folded. But, when the camera switches to Percy, Chiron's arms are suddenly down.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Poseidon: Zeus.
Zeus: Poseidon.
Zeus: It's been many years.
Zeus: What do you see?
Poseidon: Thunder clouds.
Zeus: But no lightning. Stolen.

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Crazy Credits

Halfway through the credits there is a scene showing Gabe Ugliano's fate on discovering Medusa's severed head.

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Connections

Referenced in Face Off: Keep One Eye Open (2016)

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Soundtracks

Highway to Hell
Written by Angus Young, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott
Performed by AC/DC
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Oh my Gods and Goddesses

I went to see this movie without any expectations. I haven't read the books and I only read one review in the paper.

Yes, there are parts borrowed from other movies, but what makes this movie different is that it doesn't take itself too seriously, like Harry P. It was as if most of the actors were instructed to 'Ham it up'.

I didn't look at my watch during the movie (two hours), which is a good sign that I am enjoying going along for the ride.

What I didn't like was that most of the mythology was missing. Like it was assumed knowledge. All it did was not allow me to connect to the main characters because I didn't know enough about them (from the film).

The music wasn't overbearing, but went nicely with the film. Nothing memorable except "Highway to Hell".

S/Fx were done to an acceptable level, especially Hades (the place not the God). But the Gods were too human for my liking.

Maybe the producers are hoping this film will fill in the void being left by Harry P. The hero in this movie looks about the same age as Harry in his last film.

I don't think it is a repeat watch (DVD).

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook [Germany] Official Facebook [Germany]

Country:

UK Canada USA

Language:

English Greek, Ancient (to 1453)

Release Date:

12 February 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$95,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$31,236,067, 14 February 2010

Gross USA:

$88,768,303

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$226,497,209

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox 2000 Pictures, 1492 Pictures, Sunswept Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1