I purposely read the book first before watching the movie. Finally finished reading 2 days ago. Now watching the movie.
The take out of alot of plot which I agree is neccessary to fit into the a 2 hour movie and I don't mind it since they are not crucial. It makes the pace faster.
But, there are a fewo plot changes I didn't like.
1) There is a son of Hades in the Half Blood Camp. He's not supposed to be in Half Blood Camp because Hades did not get along with the other gods and he doesn't have a cabin in Half Blood Camp. This is crucial because it will be important in future book where the children of Hades did show up. Also, son of Hades in Half Blood Camp made Percy less special. Percy is supposed to be special and all powerful because he's a son of Poseidon, one of the 3 most powerful gods. If son of Hades is also there, it made him less special. And the son of Hades here look like a bit character only.
2) The Fury already revealed what she was looking for from the begining. But, it's different from the book. And I don't get why the Fury said 'my lightning bolt'. The lightning bolt is not hers and she is also not under the command of Zeus who owns the missing lightning bolt.
3) I so do not like Percy get attracted to Ananbeth the moment he saw he. So damn typical of Hollywood movie. I wish it was like in the book where they grow closer slowly.
4) The story seem to be missing another major plot. All 3 gods made a pact to not have anymore children after WW2 because their children are very powerful and were the one who caused WW2. In the book, the Fury was assumed to be sent by Hades to kill Percy because Poseidon broke the promise.
I expect the movie to start like the book, with Percy first in school. But, they didn't. The started with Zeus and Poseidon talking.
On the characters. The movie increase the ages of the characters. In the book, the main characters are around 12. But, here they look like 16. I guess it better to attract teenage audiences. Chiron is very different from what I imagine. I imagine chiron to be shorter, plumper, and nore benelovent professor like. But, the movie Chiron is so much hotter and charismatic. Haha, I like this Chiron look.
Gabe also look way better than the book's Gabe. Honestly, I think they should find another actor to play Gabe. A fatter, more slobbish disgusting looking man. Gabe is supposed to be very disgusting and hate. This actor does couldn't convey this.
The actor if Luke is also a good choice. He looks very trustworthy and you instantly like him. This is important to the story imo.
No comment on the actor and actress who play Percy and Annabeth for now. But, Annabeth already turn me off under no fault of the character or actress. Just the fact that Percy typically fall her on first sight turn me off. But, I may like her when I watch further since I like Annabeth in the book.
The Half Blood Camp seems to be very near to the the home. Eventhough they start at daytime and reach the camp at night, it still feel very short distant. Maybe it's the editing. One scene show them run out of the house, the next scene show them reach Half Blood Camp already. They should have show them driving a bit longer.
The minatour fight scene is not as excited as the book describe.
Lastly, for now, I still feel that the movie is good. Some missing elements (like Grover being faulted for he failure to save Percy's mom and bring Percy to safety) are unavoidable.
Update:
I change fast. I think I'm starting to like Annabeth more. Haha, this girl. She said Percy has a big ego. I think her ego is even bigger. But, I like her better now because she said she also has a strong feeling for Percy but she didn't know whether it's positive or negative. The feelings are also influence by their parents she supposed because their parents don't like each other. I guess Percy's feelings to could similar? Influence by the parents? That he look at her not only because of hormone influence?
Update:
Ok, the plot change way too much. I really don't know what's going to happen now. Maybe this is a good thing. To make the movie less predictable.
Why did Hades go to the camp and why did he keep demanding for the bolt? If follow the plot of the book, this part does not make sense. In the book, everyone thinks Hades stole the bolt. That's why Percy was given the quest to go to the Underworld to retrieve the bolt. Now, this movie has Hades coming to camp looking for the bolt and the plan now changed to having Percy go to Olympus so he can convince Zeus he didn't steal it. Now, instead of being sent on the quest, the 3 stole away to go to the Underworld themselves.
I wonder how the plot will turn out.
I'm liking Annabeth more now. Show more of the book Annabeth.
Update:
Movie is getting more and more exciting. Love the fight with the Hydra. I kinda like that the 3 kids have to look for the pearl themselves and not given to them freely by the nymph. I also love the Lotus Hotel part.
Ok. I really really hate the turn of event. Why did Hollywood has to demonise Hades and make him the bad guy? In the book, Hades is not exactly nice, but, he didn't want war. He just took the bolt from Percy because his own weapon was stolen. Percy found him back his helmet, he send Percy's mom back. I hate hate hate this turn of event.
Update:
And the Pearl thing. That is so different from the book. I much prefer the story follow the book in his choice too.
Oh no. And they totally take away the role of Kronos in the story.
Update:
One thing from the book I'm glad that the movie left out is Percy's mom turning Gabe into stone. I always felt disturbed by it. It's just not right especially for a children's book. Good people are not supposed to do this. That's the difference between good people and bad people. Why couldn't Percy's mom just asked for a divorce?
Ok, I was wrong. They did add the part. After the credit. But, they kinda make it the fault of Gabe himself which make it less disturbing. Only less, not totally gone.
Lastly, I just notice that Dionysus is missing from the movie.
Update:
One more. I do not like the actress choice for Persephone and her character design. What's with this loud brash black woman that dress like a dominatrix? Hades and her look like an Italian mafia and his woman. Persephone is the daughter for Demeter. The Goddess of harvest. She's supposed to be full of sunshine. That's why Hades likes her and want her as his wife. He want her to brighten up his dreary Underworld. To be Persephone is a gentle, graceful and dignified goddess. Why can't the character designer make her look those goddess in Olympus?
