Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief

"Action movies of this scale often start off strong and wind down to forgettable finales, but "Percy Jackson" is the opposite, overcoming a clunky setup to deliver nearly all its thrills in the last half-hour."

"While you suspect it’s really just a big Clash Of The Titans spoiler, there’s enough action in Jackson to make it succeed on its own terms. Lerman’s a likeable lead, though it’s the game supporting cast that keeps you watching."

"For all the earth shaking that goes on, “Percy Jackson” is agreeably tame and unthreatening."

"The popular kids' book series about the son of a Greek god has been turned into a silly, sporadically exciting film."

"Director Chris Columbus has fun with this goofy premise, but as always I am distracted by the practical aspects of the story. Does it bother the Greek gods that no one any longer knows or cares that they rule the world? What are the genetic implications of human/god interbreeding?"

"So has "Percy Jackson" successfully cracked the "Potter" code? In terms of overall quality, not even close. Still, the film's carefully calibrated mixture of CGI-enhanced spectacle, diverting (and blood-free) action sequences and adolescent angst could make it a modest hit with the eight to 12-year-old set."

"Slavishly follows every rule of the kids’ fantasy franchise genre, but it’s a well-executed and imagined world. Bet the sequel’s darker."