The new film “Percy Jackson and The Olympians: the Lightening Thief” is about normal, everyday boy Percy Jackson, who suddenly finds out his father is the Greek god, Poseidon, when he is falsely accused of stealing Zeus’s lightening bolt. Because of this, numerous monsters are sent after him by the gods trying to recapture the most powerful weapon ever created for themselves.

Percy, his centaur junior protector, and his new friend and love interest, Annabeth, are sent on a wild journey to free Percy’s mother and solve the mystery of the stolen bolt before the gods start a huge war that would end the world as we know it.

This exciting film is based on the popular series of adventure and fantasy books also titled “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” written by Rick Riordan, where all Greek myths are real in the modern world. I read the first book in the series a few years ago and, although there were some changes, I found that the movie was very much like the original story and many parts were exactly as I vividly imagined them while I read it. The movie has definitely made me want to continue reading the books, so I can be prepared for the next movie of the five book series.

The film, directed by Chris Columbus (who is also the director of the first two Harry Potter movies), was very entertaining and funny, along with all the big action and suspense. The special effects were also great, especially when Percy unleashes his true powers over water, and I found myself saying, “Whoa, cool,” quite a few times.

I think this was a really good movie for almost all ages, and the little kids walking out of the theater yelling “That was awesome!” seemed to enjoy it just as much as I did.

Playing Percy Jackson is Logan Lerman, who has been in several other films such as “Hoot.” He did an excellent job portraying his character, although he didn’t seem as upset as he probably should have been when his mother disappeared. The character that was funniest was easily Percy’s centaur protector, Grover, played by Brandon T. Jackson.

“Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightening Thief” was very much about using your weaknesses, like Percy’s dyslexia and ADHD, and making them your advantages, as well as finding adventure, which was mixed together with battles, monsters, and vengeful gods. The movie was really fun and I think it will appeal to everyone from kids, teens, and even many adults.

Aran Kirschenmann, 13, is a contributing writer for the Bellevue Reporter and a eighth grader at The International School in Bellevue.