Percy Jackson y el mar de los monstruos

It's refreshing to see a relatively non violent adventure fantasy suitable for younger audiences again. Yet older audiences can enjoy it too. I actually prefer the story to the Hunger Games stories with all the killing.

The effects and creatures are slightly fake and unreal looking but it adds to the charm. Cute blending of mythology and the present story.

Logan Lerman still looks young enough for the role but Alexandra Daddario is looking a bit older.

I remember enjoying the first one slightly more with the novelty of the characters but this one is alright enough.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters feels like a cheap ripoff of the Harry Potter series made for younger kids or teenagers who read the books and would like to see it on the big screen. The script is awfully written, some of the dialogues were bad. Some of the funny scenes earlier in the film feel forced and the jokes were not delivered properly by the characters (found out the screenplay is actually written by the screenwriter who wrote Green Lantern).

The storyline is weak and feels out of place. There's simply not enough adventure in the Sea of Monster'S' and the actual quest felt a little too rushed for the audience to feel satisfied. Furthermore, the big finale near the end of the film feels disappointing and lame. Not sure about the novels as I've never read them before, but it seems as if the gods doesn't seem to care much about their half-blood kids (Poseidon seemed to be ignoring Percy despite his many attempts in communicating with him)...There's no appearances of the Greek Gods - Zeus, Poseidon or Hades throughout the film...despite the fact that there's an issue of utmost urgency that requires their immediate attention. One could even question why bother making the half-bloods in the first place?

Most of the plot elements felt contrived or questionable...they're just simply there for the sake of the plot (sorry for mentioning some of the plot element, I just couldn't help it):

-Out of nowhere, Luke just 'magically' found the Tomb of Kronos?

-A powerful crucial magical item such as the golden fleece is only guarded by a Cyclops on an island?

-The film's title mentioned Sea of Monster'S', but in the end the audience just get to see just a monster that looks like a maelstrom?

-How Grover managed to reach the island in the first place?

-How Luke and his crew gets to have a rat-scorpion hybrid monster as a pet in the first place?

-Seriously, if Kronos was defeated that easily, then why it needs 3 powerful Greek Gods to defeat him in the first place?

-Annabelle mentioned that Poseidon's powers don't work in the sea of monsters since the sea is not within Poseidon's domain of power, but Tyson managed to heal his wound?

Not to mention, the film ends in an unsatisfactory cliffhanger as well.

There's some character development in the film, especially Tyson, Percy and Luke. The acting performances from actors were fine and the film is entertaining in some parts of the film, but it certainly didn't reach the heights and complexity of the adventures in the Harry Potter series. While fans of the book series might love the film, but for general audiences, this fantasy action adventure is certainly a miss.

Keying in my first review in IMDb after watching a premiere show for the first time.

Percy Jackson: Sea Monsters is a decent effort as a sequel to the lighting thief. It is not entirely necessary to watch the first part to watch. The story is good on its own. However I did notice that there were many dialogs just out of line. The script might have over worked to make it humorous.

The visual effects are not up to the mark overall but some places are pretty sweet and worth watching in 3D otherwise the depth is not that great. With that one can easily notice work of CG in not so important parts of the movie.

The actors have done well and delivered the script good that the subtle jokes and wits were understood and 95% effective. I was pretty much impressed by the actress in the lead and supporting roles than the men.

Overall, the movie is a good watch but not a great effort. If you really into 3D movies, I would watch in on the big screen with the expectation some weakness in CG. Otherwise I would wait for BluRay. I give it a 7 of 10.

There is a better film about gods and monsters: it's called Gods and Monsters.

Will admit to have not read the book, though have heard nothing but great things here and from friends. While it was still quite flawed, found myself enjoying the first film taking it on its own terms. An attitude adopted watching its follow up 'Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters'.

A follow up that is very much inferior, with a lot of weak elements and basically a lacklustre film in general in its own way. Flaws are far more and the faults that 'Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief' had are amplified. Even those who haven't read the book will find a lot wrong here, it has been said that the film takes a lot of liberties and there is a lot left out, that was very obvious in the story execution. 'Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters' is not a waste of time and has merits, but can definitely understand the criticisms from those who disliked it and share very nearly all of them.

'Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters' has some nice photography and scenery and production design that is full of atmosphere and colour. Kronos looks cool, is an imposing character and effects-wise is by far the best-faring. While not the most memorable in the world, the music score fits very well and is rousing in its own right.

Stanley Tucci and Anthony Head are both solid and give by far the best performances. Nathan Fillion's cameo is amusing and Leven Ramin is the only standout of the younger cast, giving her all despite not liking her character for her treatment of Percy very much.

However, Logan Lerman, who has given good performances in the past, gives a dull and here charisma-free performance and Alexandra Diddario is wooden with both a lack of emotion and charm, over-acting some scenes too. Brandon T. Jackson is saddled with the clichéd comic relief role and it's often unfunny and unnecessary. Didn't get anything out of the characters, felt very little conflict or natural bond and the development was flimsy at best.

The dialogue is very forced constantly, with most of the humour falling flat due to placement and the way it's written. The story is very choppy and disjointed, with a lot of jumping about, lack of cohesive flow and it does give the sense of being cobbled together. There's very little imagination, no surprises and not much at stake, it's not hard to figure out how things are going to happen. It is further hurt by all over the place pacing, some of it draggy due to some drawn out scenes and others that felt like filler and other parts rushed with an anaemic and hastily thrown together climax. Similarly wildly variable are the effects, a few decent ones especially Kronos but others are laughably bad like the water effects and the fleece itself. The action is unexciting, lacks tension and suspense and has no wonder.

Overall, lacklustre but not a completely regrettable experience. 4/10 Bethany Cox