Percy Jackson and The Olympians (Full Season Review)

 

With the acquisition of the FOX properties, Disney had the chance to adapt to the world of Percy Jackson once again. However, unlike the last time, Disney makes an adaptation that lives up to the source material as well as embraces author Rick Riordan with production, casting, and various other factors that went into this show. 

With this first season following suit of the first novel, The Lightning Thief, Percy Jackson and The Olympians of course, follows the titular character learning of his mythological parentage and what that means when he is thrust into this world as he grows older and more powerful as a demigod. When he is chosen to go on quest based on a prophecy, he enlists help from Annabeth Chase and his best friend/satyr, Grover to find Zeus's missing lightning bolt. 

Anyone who has seen the film that was released 12 years ago would have a good idea as to what this first season will cover but people who haven't read the original book will know the many changes that were made to the movie. The choice to make this adaptation into a series that separates the big parts of the book into endings of each episode was a good one. Unlike most Disney Plus shows, the episodes work well as their own stories part of a bigger story. It does adopt the villain of week sort of theme but it is very much still in the vein of the main quest. As the show progresses, audiences are left with many teases and clues to later books of the series, in hopes of adapting the rest of the series in future seasons.

Despite this adaptation being accurate to the source material, there were several changes that  were still made to the show. To note, none of these changes changed the tone or at least, the magic that made this Percy Jackson special in the first place. There were elements added to the story to expand the world we see only through Percy's point of view in the book but now with different POVs allowing more agency and character development from the other characters. It is hard to question these changes or choices because they were definitely ones that were approved or suggested by Riordan itself to modernize the material. When looking back at the book that was published in 2005 you would understand why these tiny tidbits were made to it order to fit with audiences today. 

Unlike the movies, the series also leans better into Greek myth and how the rules and tribulations of these myths are synced nicely into Percy's Hero's Journey. It also does lean better with its epicness rather as well as it is characters. What makes this book series so special was indeed the characters and luckily the actors that carry these roles, even if it comes with a heavy burden. 

Walker Scobell is a true Percy Jackson himself and seeing him carry this role the way the character is written all those years ago is a sigh of relief. Yes, Logan Lerman was a great Percy but Scobell fills those shoes well enough, never abandoning Percy’s personality, wit nor his morals. 

With that, it’s nice to see both Annabeth and Grover were better handled than they were in the movie. With no hate towards what Alexandra Diaddrio and Brandon T. Jackson brought to those roles, but Leah Jeffries and Aryan Simhadri live up to what fans know them to be. They not only keep Annabeth’s level headness and strength but they do adapt parts of her story that make her character all the more interesting, whether it’s about her relationship with her estranged father or her special cap that makes her invisible. It is the same with Grover, he is very much more of a sweetheart and Simhadri carries that fluff and light within this trio that conflicts with Percy and Annabeth short lived uncomfortabilty. Luckily, the friendship progresses with the show as it is intended. 

Everyone else does not carry such a big weight than these three actors and their memorable performances are expected to. Great cameos and and great appearances, so many familiar faces that people will be aware of when they watch this show. However, these fan favourite actors do not sideline the main part of show, which is indeed the Golden Trio. (Yes, if this show goes far enough, it might come on par with original trio Harry, Ron and Hermione) 

The best parts of this show is how they deal with the Greek monsters or the references to the original myths which ultimately just makes the show educational or at least spark interest with kids towards Greek Mythology, the same way the books did all those years ago. What is also exciting is the design of these creatures. You can tell that these show was handled carefully and properly, especially with the way visual effects were done. The monster designs are exquisite and of course, are inspired by designs that Riordan had brought up in the book. The sets and locations and shots that cover this show is also very clear cut and make an impact when watching an episode. Bear McCreary’s music also plays heavy part with how the show feels, that it is a wondrous adventure with kids in end-of-world stakes. 

So, do yourself a favor and catch Percy Jackson and The Olympians on Disney Plus right now. Fans of the show will be delighted to not only see these characters on screen again but brought to life better than their expectations. Disney possibly has a real hit on their hands and if they don’t realise it on time, then it will only go downhill from now on.