Metacritic Movie Ratings
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Reviews

A sample of reviews from critics across the country.

• 75

  out of 100

  Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert

  Director Chris Columbus has fun with this goofy premise, but as always I am distracted by the practical aspects of the story. Does it bother the Greek gods that no one any longer knows or cares that they rule the world? What are the genetic implications of human/god interbreeding?

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• 70

  out of 100

  The Hollywood Reporter

  So has "Percy Jackson" successfully cracked the "Potter" code? In terms of overall quality, not even close. Still, the film's carefully calibrated mixture of CGI-enhanced spectacle, diverting (and blood-free) action sequences and adolescent angst could make it a modest hit with the eight to 12-year-old set.

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• 60

  out of 100

  Variety

  Action movies of this scale often start off strong and wind down to forgettable finales, but "Percy Jackson" is the opposite, overcoming a clunky setup to deliver nearly all its thrills in the last half-hour.

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• 58

  out of 100

  Entertainment Weekly

  Has all the CGI sorcery of a Harry Potter pic, but none of the magic.

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• 50

  out of 100

  The New York TimesStephen Holden

  For all the earth shaking that goes on, "Percy Jackson" is agreeably tame and unthreatening.

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• 40

  out of 100

  Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan

  This is generic filmmaking at its most banal, a simple-minded simplification of a not overwhelmingly complex book.

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