Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Though the film has a ridiculously long title, the film is primarily aimed at children and teens, and for that intended audience, it does a yeoman's job in introducing us to Percy Jackson, a high school student more at home underwater, than above water, and before you know it, it is revealed that he was the offspring between the coupling of the Greek god Poseidon and a human woman named Sally (Percy's mom).  The film ramps up the plotline by putting Percy in danger of being hunted down for possessing the stolen lightning bolt of Zeus, and his true nature is quickly revealed after all these years of being hidden from his true parentage.  Percy is whisked away to a place where other half-man/half-godlings are trained and educated.  Just like any good Greek mythology, Percy and a couple of friends go on a quest to ward off the wrath of Zeus, and the film primarily deals with that storyline.

Logan Lerman is solid as Percy, he's transitioning from young child TV actor to young film actor.  Brandon T. Jackson is Grover, Percy's longtime friend, and the gal with the amazing blue eyes and potential love interest for Percy is played by the lovely Alexandra Daddario.  There are some decent turns by more established actors, like Rosario Dawson playing Persephone, Steven Coogan as Hades, Sean Bean as Zeus, Kevin McKidd as Poseidon, Catherine Keener as Sally, Pierce Brosnan as Mr.s Brunner (Percy's teacher).  Just don't expect a lot of screentime by the more recognizable names in the film, it's primarily a vehicle for the younger actors in search of the next big film franchise for children and young adults, though I'm not sure they have enough charm to become household names or ingrained in the pop cultural landscape.

The film is a little long at 2 hours, and the screenplay won't set the film world on fire, but if somehow the kids see this film, and gain an interest in Greek mythology and the classics, then that's a good thing.  This film is simple in execution, and director Christopher Columbus doesn't over-stylize the look or tone of the film, and just keeps it basic and simple.   

I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-.