‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Makes for A Worthy Adaptation

Enough time has passed for us to admit it — the Percy Jackson film adaptations weren’t that great. At the moment, it was all we had as far as attempts to bring Rick Riordan’s bestselling series to life, but in hindsight, they didn’t do the books justice. In fact, Riordan has decried them on numerous occasions. When the news rang that Disney was taking another stab at adapting the YA books into a series, it made sense that fans who have loved the series would be skeptical. Rest assured, in the four episodes we’ve been able to view, this is exactly what we’ve been waiting for. Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a coming-of-age fantasy filled with adventure, self-discovery, friendship, and mythology.

Walker Scobell (The Adam Project) stars as Perseus “Percy” Jackson, a 12-year-old kid who has always felt like an outcast. Not only does he struggle with his dyslexia and ADHD, but he also sees mythical creatures roaming through the streets of New York at random that no one can see except him.

One day, during a field trip to the Metropolitan Museum, an altercation with one of his bullies leads Percy to use his powers unconsciously. Next, he’s attacked by one of his teachers, who turns out to be a Fury. Yet he defeats it with a magical pen that turns into a sword, explaining the episode title — “I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher.” 

From here, there’s no turning back. Percy is kicked out of school, and due to recent events, his mother, Sally (Virginia Kull), has no choice but to tell Percy the truth about his father, which ends in a huge truth bomb for Percy when he uncovers that he’s a demigod, a half-blood. Oh, and his one and only friend, Grover (Aryan Simhadri), isn’t just his friend but a satyr charged with protecting him. What should’ve been a smooth unveiling of truth to give Percy time to process his new reality is now turned into a crash course as Grover and Sally rush to get Percy to Camp Half-Blood, a safe haven for demigods.

You are not broken. You are singular. You’re a miracle. And you are my son. Hold fast. Brave the storm.

– Sally Jackson, Percy Jackson & the Olympians

During some parts, it can feel a little overwhelming, as the story foundation is laid quickly so we can get to the good stuff. The series blends story elements that the earlier adaptations split into two films. If you haven’t read the books, you’re in for even more surprises.

The tween stage is a tough one for most kids. Percy just found out who he really is, but now he feels more lost than he did before. And then there are other fascinating characters like soon-to-be bestie Annabeth Chase (Leah Jeffries; Beast), daughter of Athena, who has been waiting for her opportunity to go on a quest and prove herself. She’s one of many demigods at Camp Half-Blood who have their own stories and own goals, trying to figure out their place while being a part of two worlds.

The decision to age the kids down to be more book-accurate was one of the best decisions the showrunners made. Allowing the story to breathe over episodes adds depth to the characters we missed in the movie adaptations. The highs feel higher and the lows lower because we feel connected to them. 

The main component that holds this series together is the synergy of its cast. The show is filled with young talent who demonstrate an authentic chemistry on screen. Not only do we care about their individual paths, but we also care about the relationships they have with each other. We’re fully invested in the mission and are hanging off the edge of our seats as the story progresses. And although it’s a kid-friendly series, there are some scary moments where, for a moment, we are worried about the outcome. 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a thrilling fantasy adventure that’ll get kids excited about reading. If they love the magic and monsters of this series, imagine how excited they’ll be to discover that there are even more adventures within the pages of the book series.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars