Disney+’s ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ is the long-awaited redemption for fans
By Haley Pacheco
Look, I always wanted to be a half-blood.
For years, this was a sentiment I shared with thousands of loyal readers of Rick Riordan’s beloved New York Times Best-Selling series, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.” We eagerly anticipated seeing the adventurous world we grew up with brought to life.
After two so-called adaptations by 20th Century Fox in 2010 and 2013, there was little hope for justice for the story on the big screen. The inaccurate, desultory duology, which must not be named, forced fans to accept the atrocity of the only adaptation, some pretending as if the films didn’t exist altogether.
That was until Disney+ announced an eight-episode series on Aug. 18. Though I was initially apprehensive, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” not only kept the integrity of the source material but also possessed its unique charm that will enchant viewers of all ages, readers and non-readers alike.
The latest and final episode of season one was released Jan. 30, ending with the first book’s conclusion. The series follows 12-year-old Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell), who undertakes a quest to return a Zeus’ stolen lightning bolt after discovering his Godly heritage, accompanied by his two new friends, Grover Underwood (Aryan Simhadri) and Annabeth Chase (Leah Sava Jeffries).
One of the show’s most admirable aspects was the enduring faithfulness to Riordan’s work. From the intricate details, like the use of Mythomagic cards and the elaborate world-building of Camp Half-Blood to Mount Olympus, it is clear how the creators were aiming not to make the mistake of the original adaptation. And they succeeded. Minimal changes were made to the plot, with involvement from the author, and it only improved the story.
The trio is a flawless casting. Scobell, Simhadri, and Jeffries have a chemistry as if they are the characters themselves. From the adorable bromance between Percy and Grover and the witty banter between Percy and Annabeth, they play their characters with nuance and authenticity.
Visually, it was other-worldly, literally, thanks to a budget of $95 million. This allowed the creators to make the world a reality with breathtaking landscapes and special effects. From the monsters in the Underworld to Percy’s sword, “Riptide,” every detail was attended to with precision and care. It was like “Riptide” magically came out of the book.
From the first episode to the finale’s last scene, I felt waves of nostalgia, coming home to a world only known in my head. I hadn’t had this feeling since Harry Potter and now have high hopes for the series.
Disney+ has delivered an adaptation that has been deemed worthy by fans. It has captured the attention of readers and newcomers to the world of Percy Jackson. I am now ready to set out on my own daring quest, which is really just waiting until the second season is released.
★★★★½ — 4.5 out of 5 stars
The entire first season is available for streaming on Disney+ with a subscription.
It was renewed for a second season on Feb. 7 by Disney CEO Bob Iger during the company’s Q1 2024 earnings call.
