Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief - Page 3

nikki1920 · #31 02-22-2010, 02:11 PM

I haven't read the book yet. Waiting for the kid to finish it.

I think what happens, is that you have a wildly successful book, which would *probably* make a good movie, but TPTB don't want to risk $$ on an unproven film. So the first version is usually very watered down, and the subsequent films are better, as the director and other PTB are more comfortable financially. (TPTB= the powers that be) Look at the HP franchise. ETA: its hard to keep the readers engrossed in the story that they already know AND attract and keep new-comers to the series.

I thought the movie was ok, although the mother's flat performance irked me. I thought Hades was fun, lol! And Posiedon was delicious...but that's my GA addiction coming out.

MysticCat · #32 02-22-2010, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikki1920

I think what happens, is that you have a wildly successful book, which would *probably* make a good movie, but TPTB don't want to risk $$ on an unproven film. So the first version is usually very watered down, and the subsequent films are better, as the director and other PTB are more comfortable financially. (TPTB= the powers that be) Look at the HP franchise.

Except that the first and second Harry Potter movies, which like Lightning Thief were directed by Chris Columbus, were the most faithful-to-the-book of all the HP movies. It's the later HP movies that have strayed more from the books. It seemed with the first HP movies, they understood they'd fail miserably with the fans if they messed with the story too much. (Ditto Lord of the Rings.)

Of course, the other difference was that JK Rowling was involved with the HP movies, at least to some degree. That was partially because she hadn't finished the series when the first movies came out, so her input was needed to make sure they didn't work against the story arc.

nikki1920 · #33 02-22-2010, 05:34 PM

I thought the later movies were better, maybe because I had read the corresponding books by then, IDK.

The first two aren't my favorite ones from the series.

But again, I haven't read the book, so I can't really comment yet. But the film was a solid B.

MysticCat · #34 02-23-2010, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikki1920

I thought the later movies were better, maybe because I had read the corresponding books by then, IDK.

The first two aren't my favorite ones from the series.

Interesting. I was so disappointed in the last HP movie. Not that I'm arguing with you; we can after all have different tastes.

Actually, I think it points up a fundamental problem. I'd agree that the later HP movies perhaps work better as movies. Movies present a very different style of story-telling from books. Movies that slavishly adhere to a book often don't work too well. When you're talking about books like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, it's no small challenge to make a movie that is reasonably faithful to the book and that still stands on its own and works well as a movie.

How are your kids liking the book?

epchick · #35 02-24-2010, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Right, and wasn't Percy's class on a field trip near there, or he was home from school or something, which they thought gave him the opportunity to take the bolt at Poseiden's request?

I agree. But I was particularly disappointed that the whole underlying segment of the total 5-story arc -- why Luke really stole the bolt -- was completely ignored. Way to set up any sequels.

Yeah, it was stolen during the winter solstice, and Zeus was convinced Poseidon stole the bolt. Since gods can't steal from each other directly, Zeus figured Poseidon used a human--just didn't know who. Zeus figured it was Percy because 1) he was in New York during the winter holidays and 2) Poseidon claimed Percy.

I agree with the idea of how they are going to set up the sequels. At the time of the movie, I was HORRIFIED that they used Luke as the person who gave Percy the bolt, but now that i've read more of the books (currently on 3, getting ready for 4) I can see why they would chose him over Ares. But to completely leave out Kronos/Tartarus is really forsaking the whole plot of all the later books....especially with the plot twist of book 2.

I wonder if they will even try a second movie?

MysticCat · #36 02-24-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epchick

I wonder if they will even try a second movie?

I could be wrong, but I think it's already in production.

epchick · #37 02-24-2010, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I could be wrong, but I think it's already in production.

oh geez. I wonder how they'll weave Luke (who had seemed to be killed in the movie) and Kronos into the film.

MysticCat · #38 02-25-2010, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epchick

oh geez. I wonder how they'll weave Luke (who had seemed to be killed in the movie) and Kronos into the film.

My son asked the same question. As I told him, we didn't see Luke die, se just saw him go in the water. He is a demi-god, so I can easily imagine them picking up with "Luke's not really dead."

epchick · #39 02-25-2010, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

My son asked the same question. As I told him, we didn't see Luke die, se just saw him go in the water. He is a demi-god, so I can easily imagine them picking up with "Luke's not really dead."

True, who knows maybe that is how they'll weave the two in. Luke was suppose to die but made a deal with Kronos....save his life and he's be loyal to Kronos and help him rise.

I did finally read the part where they talk about Annabeth's birth. Don't know why they waiting until book 4 to talk about it...but whatever. lol

christiangirl · #40 02-26-2010, 04:19 AM

There's a neat interview on Persephone by Rosario Dawson. I never imagined Persephone as "crazy" or "manic" but I suppose if you were locked away by Hades, you would turn out that way. Kind of a neat interpretation of the character that wasn't supposed to be there.

Yeah if the movie went that far off the books....*sigh* I probably won't see the sequel unless my nephew drags me to it. Though by the time one is made he might not be into this stuff anymore.

nikki1920 · #41 02-26-2010, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

How are your kid liking the book?

ONE KID!!! lol..
She likes it, so far. She's tired of me asking if she's finished it yet, though; Mommy is a fast reader. Daughter is not. Yet.

IlovemyAKA · #42 02-27-2010, 02:48 AM

I liked the movie, but I haven't read the book. I didn't always like Grover's attempts at comedy though.

MysticCat · #43 02-27-2010, 10:34 AM

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Originally Posted by nikki1920

ONE KID!!! lol..

Oops.

epchick · #44 02-27-2010, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christiangirl

There's a neat interview on Persephone by Rosario Dawson. I never imagined Persephone as "crazy" or "manic" but I suppose if you were locked away by Hades, you would turn out that way. Kind of a neat interpretation of the character that wasn't supposed to be there.

Yeah if the movie went that far off the books....*sigh* I probably won't see the sequel unless my nephew drags me to it. Though by the time one is made he might not be into this stuff anymore.

I would actually agree with her. Persephone shows up in book 5, and the way Rosario described her does sound like the way she's portrayed in the book.

I'm hoping that they'll try to tie in the plot more into the subsequent movies. I'd watch them just to see how they incorporate everything.