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Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

Popcorn Rating

 

Movie Info

RATING:

PG for fantasy action violence, some scary images and mild language

GENRE:

Action/Adventure, Fantasy

RELEASE:

August 7, 2013

STARRING:

Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Leven Rambin, Nathan Fillion, Stanley Tucci, Sean Bean, Jake Abel, Missi Pyle

DIRECTOR:

Thor Freudenthal

DISTRIBUTOR:

Twentieth Century Fox

More on this movie at IMDb.com

 

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Please Note:
In providing movie reviews on our site, CBN.com is not endorsing or recommending films we review. Our goal is to provide Christians with information about the latest movies, both the good and the bad, so that our readers may make an informed decision as to whether or not films are appropriate for them and their families.
CHRISTIAN MOVIE REVIEW

Review: Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

Movieguide Magazine


CBN.com - Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters is the new installment of the Percy Jackson franchise based on the children's novels by the same name. This pagan fantasy adventure that has many draws to children is far from family friendly.

Sea of Monsters takes place right after its predecessor Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Even though he saved the world from the destruction of the gods, Percy, half-human son of the Greek god, Poseidon, doesn't feel very heroic. At Camp Half-Blood (a special training camp for demi-gods), Percy wonders if he has any greatness in him. Percy also learns he has a half-brother, Tyson, who's not even human, but instead half-cyclops.

Unlike Percy, Tyson is overjoyed with the thought of having a new brother. Percy's demi-god nemesis, Luke, threatens the safety of the camp by destroying its magical borders. In order to save the camp, Percy, Tyson and his friends, Grover (a satyr) and Annabeth, go on a quest to retrieve the magical Golden Fleece. Only the fleece has the healing powers to fix the camp's borders.

To retrieve the Golden Fleece, these four teenagers must go through the Sea of Monsters, or, as the humans call it, the Bermuda Triangle. They also must face the giant cyclops who holds on to the fleece. Meanwhile, Luke and other demi-gods bent on destruction are also after the Golden Fleece so they can use it to overthrow the rule of the gods.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters doesn't progress the story or the characters that much and is full of plot holes. Many plot elements happen with little to no explanation, and the CGI isn't good enough to hold the audience's interest. Percy does begin to learn that his destiny is full of greatness, and his bond with his friends is strengthened through the adventure. There are also some genuinely funny moments, especially revolving around Luke's father Hermes, played by Nathan Fillion.

The problem with this movie revolves around the pagan and polytheistic worldview. The entire concept of the story borrows from pagan mythology and is set in a world where there is not one God, but many gods. This is the direct opposite from what Scripture tells us and could potentially be very confusing and even damaging to young children seeking to understand the truth.

That said, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters does borrow some biblical and even Christian virtues. Percy is more concerned with the safety of others, even during trivial competitions with his camp rivals. Percy's brother Tyson also teaches him to “have faith”, and Tyson seems to exhibit this childlike trust in his father, Poseidon. In the end, rivals learn to be friends, friends learn teamwork, and self-sacrifice for the sake of others is exemplified. There's even a Christian reference when one of the camp leaders says that the Christians have “a guy” who can turn water into wine. “Now, that's a God!” he exclaims.

Overall, the positive attributes of Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters are overshadowed by pagan worldviews and action violence that warrants a strong or extreme caution for media-wise viewers.

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NOTE from Dr. Ted Baehr, publisher of Movieguide Magazine. For more information from a Christian perspective, order the latest Movieguide Magazine by calling 1-800-899-6684(MOVI) or visit our website at www.movieguide.org. Movieguide is dedicated to redeeming the values of Hollywood by informing parents about today's movies and entertainment and by showing media executives and artists that family-friendly and even Christian-friendly movies do best at the box office year in and year out. Movieguide now offers an online subscription to its magazine version, at www.movieguide.org. The magazine, which comes out 25 times a year, contains many informative articles and reviews that help parents train their children to be media-wise consumers.

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