As a die-hard Percy Jackson fan, it’s hard to contain my anger and disappointment when talking about the abominations that are the Percy Jackson movies. If you’ve read Rick Riordan’s incredible series, you know exactly what I’m talking about. These movies are a betrayal of everything the books stood for. Here’s why the Percy Jackson movies were absolute trash.

1. Butchering the Plot

The movies butchered the plot so badly that it’s almost unrecognizable. Major plot points were either omitted or altered beyond recognition. The intricate world-building and carefully crafted story arcs in the books were tossed aside for a watered-down, incoherent mess. Key elements like the prophecy and the roles of the gods were either poorly explained or ignored altogether. It’s as if the screenwriters didn’t even bother to read the books.

2. Aging Up the Characters

One of the most egregious mistakes was aging up the characters. In the books, Percy and his friends are twelve years old, which is crucial to the story. Their youth adds to the charm and relatability, highlighting their bravery and growth. By making them teenagers, the movies lost that sense of wonder and innocence, turning it into another run-of-the-mill teen action flick.

3. Character Assassination

The characters we fell in love with were completely mangled. Percy Jackson, the witty and sarcastic hero, was turned into a bland, cookie-cutter protagonist. Annabeth, the brilliant and fierce daughter of Athena, was reduced to a generic love interest with none of her defining traits. Grover, the loyal and brave satyr, was turned into comic relief devoid of depth. The dynamic relationships and character growth that made the books so special were utterly destroyed.

4. Disrespecting the Source Material

It’s clear the filmmakers had no respect for the source material. Key themes, mythological accuracy, and the essence of the books were sacrificed for cheap action scenes and superficial drama. The heart and soul of Percy Jackson were stripped away, leaving a hollow shell that barely resembled Riordan’s masterpiece. It’s a slap in the face to fans who cherished the books.

5. Terrible Pacing and Structure

The movies suffered from atrocious pacing and structure. Important scenes were rushed, while unnecessary filler dragged on. The lack of coherent storytelling made it difficult to follow, even for those familiar with the books. Crucial events felt rushed and lacked the emotional impact that made the books so engaging. It was a disjointed mess from start to finish.

6. Weak Villains

The villains in the movies were laughably weak compared to their book counterparts. Luke, one of the most complex and compelling antagonists in the series, was reduced to a one-dimensional bad guy. The ominous presence of Kronos, the Titan lord, was turned into a generic CGI monstrosity. The depth and menace of the book villains were completely lost in translation.

7. Inconsistent Tone

The movies couldn’t decide what they wanted to be. The books masterfully balance humor, adventure, and darker themes. The movies, on the other hand, swung wildly between goofy and overly serious, failing to capture the unique tone that made the books so captivating. This inconsistency left viewers confused and disconnected from the story.

8. Horrible Special Effects

Considering the rich mythological world of Percy Jackson, the special effects were shockingly bad. The monsters and mythical creatures that were so vividly described in the books looked cheap and unconvincing on screen. The poor CGI further detracted from the immersion and excitement that the books effortlessly delivered.

Conclusion

The Percy Jackson movies were a catastrophic failure, an insult to Rick Riordan’s brilliant work and to the fans who loved the books. From the botched plot and character assassination to the disrespect for the source material and abysmal special effects, these movies are a masterclass in how not to adapt a beloved series. Let’s hope that any future adaptations treat Percy Jackson with the respect and care it deserves. Until then, we’ll stick to the books and pretend these cinematic disasters never happened. I’m just glad they made an accurate series. I guess they realized that the movies were dumpster fires.