For starters it moves at a much quicker clip than the first film. There is very little time to catch your breath between blockbusting scenes of action.
Things don't get bogged down in explanations or any of that crap. It takes less time than the credits to get it out that these kids are Greek demigods and have extraordinary powers. Then it's on with the action.
It's funny but also pulls on the heart strings, especially in a scene involving Jackson's half-brother Tyson, near the end of the movie.
It had a hip song that I liked (LIGHT 'EM UP by FALL OUT BOY) and Anthony Stuart Head (Giles from BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER) replacing that bore Pierce Brosnan in the role of Chiron from the first film.
The creature FX are pretty good and at times quite frightening (the manticore is quite nasty!).
If you are a fan of the Riordan books, this is a must see. If you saw the first film and were not all that impressed, I recommend giving the series one more shot by checking out SEA OF MONSTERS. You might be pleasantly surprised. I was.
I may have to give this one a go when it comes out on DVD. I checked out the first movie last year and could only sit through the first half. Just bored me to death.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the second one fares better, though. Thanks for the review, man.