Is anyone else's kid mad about the Percy Jackson movie?

[Belle Ella]

Eh. Books aren't movies and movies aren't books. What works just fine in one medium may fall flat (or, in the case of movies, be impossible to portray at all, no matter how large the effects budget) in the other. When a book is "made into a movie," it's an adaptation, not a transformation.

Here, here

 

[sunnyday123]

DD was annoyed. They left out major components of the movie, and little things that they could have explained within a few minutes. My biggest gripe was with they way they changed the camp, the fact that Hades was able to get into the camp, and that the characters looked like they were in college. Were they trying to make Annabeth appeal to Dads?? If they make the third or fourth book, she and Percy will have to be starting a family, or on their way to Ihop for senior citizen day.

 

[marcyinPA]

My DH took my kids to see it today (14 and 10) and they loved it....but neither one of them have read the book. My oldest especially liked it because he had learned a lot about Greek mythology in 9th grade English class this year. They read the Odyssey, so he considers himself an expert

While they were seeing that movie, I saw Dear John....I read the book first, but hated the movie. It was nothing like the book...very disappointing. The actress who played Savannah was really not good....not believable at all.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Considering what they did to Phillip Pullmans Northern Lights and Susan Cooper's book The Dark is Rising (Harry Potter excluded) why do they change the charactors to american in so many films look at the Dark is rising he was british and the brother Tom wasn't his twin but his parents first baby who died. Are you really suprised that they ruined yet another book they usually do. Have a look at the second Jurassic Park book Sarah Harding was quite ruthless in that book.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Eh. Books aren't movies and movies aren't books. What works just fine in one medium may fall flat (or, in the case of movies, be impossible to portray at all, no matter how large the effects budget) in the other. When a book is "made into a movie," it's an adaptation, not a transformation.

In most cases it looks like the producer has used the book name and nothing in the book its not an adaptation but a ruining.

 

[kristilew]

My 14 year old was furious when she got home this afternoon. She could not believe how much the movie did not follow the book plot. she felt that other than the character names, there was nothing in the book that was the same.

Thank you! This post has made DD feel better. She was just looking for some commiseration for her disappointment.

I understand that movies can, and often do, change the story from books. I was more asking for a baseline reaction from the tween/teen book fans who had seen it. It's a rare series that has younger characters who do such exciting stuff, and that creates such a rich setting. I just feel bad for the kids who were looking forward to seeing that brought to life onscreen and instead got an oversimplified teen flick.

 

[luvsJack]

I have yet to read the book so not sure of the changes, but like a pp said; something are not adaptable to film. Some of the biggest complaints of changes in the HP films are due to this very thing.

Are the books a continuing story similar to HP? Dd is just reading the first book and was hoping that they are all connected. Some series are just the same characters in 5 different books, she likes the story to stay connected between the books.

Which would bring up another point, unless they have already contracted for the sequels they wouldn't want the movie to seem "to be continued" so that may be some of the changes you all are talking about.

I know it took me seeing Twilight a couple of times to really begin to like the movie in its own right. It just seemed to leave too much out, but I guess there were reasons (like time constraints).


DD has already mentioned the age thing. Isn't Percy like 11 in the first book? Making the three kids high school age will make the movies appeal to a different age group.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I have yet to read the book so not sure of the changes, but like a pp said; something are not adaptable to film. Some of the biggest complaints of changes in the HP films are due to this very thing.

Are the books a continuing story similar to HP? Dd is just reading the first book and was hoping that they are all connected. Some series are just the same characters in 5 different books, she likes the story to stay connected between the books.

Which would bring up another point, unless they have already contracted for the sequels they wouldn't want the movie to seem "to be continued" so that may be some of the changes you all are talking about.

I know it took me seeing Twilight a couple of times to really begin to like the movie in its own right. It just seemed to leave too much out, but I guess there were reasons (like time constraints).


DD has already mentioned the age thing. Isn't Percy like 11 in the first book? Making the three kids high school age will make the movies appeal to a different age group.

But a lot of the changes don't make any sense. In the Seeker for example they made the 6th son to be the hero's twin brother instead of a child that had died why? The family where british but yet again they changed the family to America why its set in England after all, there where six signs not 7 so why change it?

 

[luvsJack]

But a lot of the changes don't make any sense. In the Seeker for example they made the 6th son to be the hero's twin brother instead of a child that had died why? The family where british but yet again they changed the family to America why its set in England after all, there where six signs not 7 so why change it?

I wonder if the age and nationality change were made to take away any resemblance to HP?? (for the movies not the books)

 

[clutter]

DD was annoyed. They left out major components of the movie, and little things that they could have explained within a few minutes. My biggest gripe was with they way they changed the camp, the fact that Hades was able to get into the camp, and that the characters looked like they were in college. Were they trying to make Annabeth appeal to Dads?? If they make the third or fourth book, she and Percy will have to be starting a family, or on their way to Ihop for senior citizen day.

My dd12 feels the same way, she alternates between refusing to see the movie or wanting to go to laugh at it (not on my dime). She's SO angry at the ages of the actors in the movie, when in the book the characters were maybe 12?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Which I find counter-productive. Attendance will play a role in whether or not the sequels are made which would give the opportunity to get back what was left out.

Good, I hope it bites him. He did not make adaptations, he changed the entire book. He might as well have changed the character and the title of the movie.

 

[legalsea]

I have not seen the movie, and I rather doubt I will.

The main problem for me: those things that make these books so fun and charming to read are exactly those elements that you can’t ‘film’, such as the chapter headings (my favorite from book one: “I Plunge to My Death”) and the thoughts that Percy will express, or his description of some monster.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

My 12 year old said that he was probably going to be disappointed while we were driving to the movie. We then discussed an important point - the movie is BASED on the novels, it is not a recreation of the novels. So, enjoy the movie for what it is, without expectations. After it was over he said that they changed a lot, but that the movie was awesome. He isn't sure how they are going to be able to move forward with the series in movie form, but he is excited to see the next installment (if one is made).

 

[eliza61]

Hey, I felt that way with Lord of the rings. Movies rarely mirror the books completely.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Hey, I felt that way with Lord of the rings. Movies rarely mirror the books completely.

Those movies stuck amazingly close to the plot and character traits. The result - 3 movies, each 3.5 hours long. I just wish they had found a way to include Tom Bombadil...

 

[HM]

That is exactly how my son felt about ERAGON. The movie really did not follow the book and even years later, my son is still steamed about it.

I liked the PERCY movie. I had not read the books....but intend to as soon as I can get copies.

I hope it doesn't turn out like GOLDEN COMPASS did and no sequels get purchased. We really enjoyed that movie and were looking forward to the next one....that is never to be.

 

[Tinkmom75]

We saw the movie, my DS read the books first and had some disapointments. I am reading the book now. I see a lot of similarities and a lot that is left out. I think both are good! I enjoy seeing a movie now and then reading the book because of being disapointed in the past.

 

[M&N]

I am glad kids are comparing the book and movie and the book wins!

Keep READING!

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I am a reader and almost always prefer books to the movies!!! There are a couple exceptions where the author was very involved, but not many. I go in not expecting the movie to rate as good as the book.

For this movie, we are coming at it kind of differently. I had tried to get DD12 to read these books, but it was the ad for the movie that got her to start. She is now on book 3. We are gonna see it this Thursday either way. I think she will be OK with it because she is forewarned (thanks to all of you who have posted here!) that it is going to be very different and she isn't going to see a movie version of the book.

we'll see if we like it based on what it is......

 

[AristocatFan]

We all saw it this weekend and loved it. Though none of us had read the books. Now DD11 is almost done with the first book(what better way to spend a snow day...read!) She keeps telling us all the things that are different from the movie. She is loving the book and will read the whole series.