The UrbanWire

J.K Rowling’s beloved conception of a boy wizard who discovers his true identity in the world of talking spiders and sleek flying broomsticks in his quest for an ultimate showdown with the Dark Lord is surely the template for the newest kid on the old fantasy block.

They say that imitation is the best form of flattery. But I digress.

The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan’s bestselling children fantasy that is alike Harry Potter in so many of its elements, takes its shot at joining older and more established film franchises with its first big screen movie adaptation. The story gives a contemporary, pop culture twist to ancient Greek mythology, making it all the more fun and appealing to a young audience: the Empire State Building is actually Olympus, home of the gods, the Underworld is below Hollywood, and every Greek god that lives in the heavens also has an updated 21^st century persona. (Well, if I were Hades, I’d take a Mick Jagger human form too!)

As with previous fantasy novels that have been brought onto the silver screen, the books are infinitely better. While the first of the Percy Jackson & The Olympians print series was lavish on details of its hero’s epic adventure to the Underworld and his side quest to find out more about his heritage (his mother is mortal, while his dad is an ancient Greek god), the movie had streamlined the book’s 375 pages to a 119-minute film that’s bigger on its visual effects than its flimsy plot.

Zeus (Sean Bean), ruler of Olympus and god of the skies, accuses Percy Jackson, son of the sea god Poseidon (Kevin McKidd), of stealing his master lightning bolt that’s the most powerful one on earth and the heavens as well. The teenager has 10 days before the summer solstice to return the bolt to its master, before an apocalyptic war so disastrous and destructive even mankind won’t be spared, begins between the gods.

So now, Percy must travel to Half-Blood Camp, a lousy reference to the title of the sixth Harry Potter book, where he will train in swordfighting and learn more of his long ancestral past before he begins on his dangerous quest to the Underworld.

Joining him on his Herculean mission across America is the daughter of the goddess Athena, Annabeth Chase, who is played terribly by Alexandra Daddario because she tries too hard to ape Hermione Granger, and the satyr Grover Underwood, who’s reinvented by actor and funnyman Brandon T. Jackson to reflect a more comedic personality onscreen than the timid role he played in the book.

Undoubtedly the best looking of the ensemble cast, Logan Lerman (3:10 to Yuma) stars as the titular hero. His cheeky grins and mythical god image are set to put him on the radar of screaming fan girls worldwide, even though he makes you barf whenever he tries to get all emotional during the film. The scene where Percy had discovered the sacrifices that his mum had made for him after she had supposedly passed away is a reason enough to send the actor for some classes that the scriptwriter should tag along for as well. “She did all these for me? Why didn’t she tell me earlier?” says the boy who has just lost his mother, with a few drops of teardrops glistening in his sparkly blue eyes. Double barf.

The strong supporting cast that includes Pierce Brosnan as Chiron, trainer of heroes and half-man half-horse, Uma Thurman as she vamps it up as the seductive Medusa (who has little snake friends on her head where her hair should be), and Sean Bean, fans may remember him as Boromir from the Lord of the Rings series, who plays the angry lightning god.

However, the action sequences were jam-packed with fast cuts and spectacular digital effects that are worth the value of the movie tickets alone. This comes as no surprise given director Chris Columbus’ track record with big budget action-packed pictures like 2 of the Harry Potter film franchise and the Fantastic Four films. Whether Percy is battling the gargantuan Minotaur or the 5-headed fire-breathing Hydra, the film is rapidly paced to keep you at the edge of your seat while throwing up some dazzling lighting bolts and nimble swordplay in the air.

By the first 60 minutes, most people who are able to follow the poorly developed story would have guessed the identity of the original lightning thief already, which is such a letdown considering that the author of the books had gone to such great lengths to keep his readers in suspense right till the last chapters. Screenwriter Craig Titley had also forgone some of the breathtaking moments in the book, such as the first time Percy had learnt to will water to his advantage in Half-Blood Camp and the taming of the ferocious 3-headed dog Cerebus by the sharp-witted Annabeth, for a much looser narrative that would have buckled in the film if not for its strong visual support. Perhaps the director should have been more faithful to the original story that made Riordan’s book a major bestseller.

The ultimate showdown in the book between Ares, the war god, and Percy was also scrapped in favor of a completely new face-off where the lead character summons water in air bending and gravity-defying fashion to defeat the main antagonist. The consequences of doing so may spill over into the subsequent films where the additional arc of Percy’s bitter relationship with Ares will call for additional screen time and development.

Forged with danger, suspense, action, evil dark lords, and even a cheesy romantic subplot, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is poised for big numbers at the box office. The heroic saga made and marketed to capture of some of the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings colossal fan base will inevitably do so, as movie-going audiences get their fix of magic and glitter in a year that’s quickly shaping up to become one in celestial territory, given the upcoming release of mega blockbuster Clash of the Titans on Jan 25 in Singapore that is also based on the legends of greek god Perseus.

UrbanWire gives Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief 2.5 out of 5 popcorns.

Release: 11 Feb (Singapore)

Duration: 119 minutes

Rating: PG

Language: English

Genre: Fantasy / Action

Director: Chris Columbus

Screenwriter: Craig Titley

Cast: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Brandon T. Jackson, Steve Coogan, Uma Thurman, Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Kevin McKidd

The first impression of The Blind Side from its 150-second long trailer is certainly underwhelming, with its seemingly cheesy plot, mushy dialogue and yawnfest of a story. Even its promotional poster featuring a petite woman gently guiding a giant of a man would draw a puzzled look from most people.

But any expectations you have are likely to be exceeded after you actually sit down and watch the movie. Set in the southern state of Memphis in the United States, the production costs only US$29 million (about S$40.3 million), which is relatively low budget in Hollywood terms. Yet during its first 7-week run, it manages to hold its own against the likes of bigger blockbusters like sci-fi mammoth Avatar and the slick and sexy Sherlock Holmes, grossing over a cool US$200 million, according to the Hollywood Insider.

But all that’s possible because the picture is a powerful and true story in itself – one that must be told. A homeless black teen (Michael, played by Quinton Aaron) is literally scooped off the freezing streets by the altruism of a blond woman, who takes him into her family and makes him feel like he belongs.

Sandra Bullock is without a shred of doubt, the megastar of the 128-minute feature. Formerly known for her funny lady turns in popular romantic comedies like The Proposal and Miss Congeniality, her career has taken a surprise turn with this compelling and emotionally demanding role as Leigh Anne Tuohy. This leading lady of the film and family in the film is spirited and steely, often delivering sass and strength. Bullock colours her character with such an emotional intensity that makes you feel for Leigh every time she tries to make the boy’s life better, like when she makes his bed, invites him to the dinner table with her family, buys him new clothes, and even coaches him in his football games.

The movie surely leaves you guessing if there’s some sort of Pay It Forward imperative that drives Leigh to such an extent, that she’d invite a complete and total stranger into her life and very expensive home. She asks herself precisely this in one scene where she’s visibly frustrated with the situation after Michael leaves during a quarrel.

“Am I a good person?” Leigh sighs. “It’s not a joke. Not rhetorical…”

“You are the best person that I know. Everything you do… You do it for others,” replies Sean Touhy, her husband and fast-food tycoon.

“And why is that?”

He laughs a little, before saying, “I have not a clue. But um… you obviously get some sort of sick satisfaction out of it.”

“Sean…” Leigh says in her thick Southern accent, “What if Michael never comes back?”

Most of the screen time is devoted to how the family deals with their new addition, who’s probably twice their individual sizes and comes with some very deep hurt from his childhood experiences. While Michael is every bit capable of talking, he prefers to mutter under his breath and keep his sentences to a few lines. His GPA at school is a total disaster; much to his tutors’ despair. He struggles through soccer practices as well, using his brute strength to shove his opponents to the ground instead of tackling them properly as you’re supposed to as the offensive lineman in American football.

The Herculean job of helping “Big Mike” get back on track then falls on the tiny shoulders of Leigh, who’s dressed in Gucci and Chanel for the most part. While it may seem like a Disney fantasy that a wealthy white woman would extend her manicured nails to help Michael find the hope to live again, the fact remains that the story has happened. American journalist Michael Lewis wrote the remarkable and uplifting tale of Touhy and sports legend Michael Oher into a book that was published in 2006, which while not very popular sales-wise, became the source material for director John Lee Hancock to make The Blind Side.

In this, Lee never lets any explosive effects or extravagant music direct the picture as popular tastes dictate. Instead, he expertly layers the film with the development of the story’s characters with very light touches, and lets his talented cast give weight to the sensitive roles they play.

Blessed with meaty scenes and delivering a hell of a performance, Bullock will be the actress to beat for the Oscar, come March.

Country singer Tim McGraw stars in the role of Mr Tuohy, and is a fitting match for the good-natured and charismatic man that he plays, while child actor Jae Head makes the little brother look and sound as cute as a button every time he is on with Michael. Kathy Bates is the feisty Miss Sue, who’s hired by Bullock’s character to help the kid ace his exams so that he may qualify for a football scholarship.

Newcomer Quinton Aaron plays the troubled and lonely Michael Oher, who cannot understand what his teachers are saying in class most of the time and carries around his wardrobe of a shirt and pair of pants wherever he goes. We discover his heartbreaking past with his own family through a series of fast cuts and flashbacks.

Even without any formal training, Quinton is as convincing in every scene he appears with the other veteran actors. His droopy eyes and hunched posture exude the sadness of a boy who has lived most of his life forgotten by society. It’s a role that’s hard to play well without milking an unnecessary extra dose of pity from the audience, but Quinton does unexpectedly well and reminds you of the male version of another newcomer, Gabourey Sidibe, who stars in the similarly themed Precious (2009), which is, unfortunately, not likely to see a release in Singapore. Both Quinton and Gabourey certain make the list of stars to watch during 2010’s many award ceremonies.

By the time the movie ends on a triumphant note where Michael Oher finally earns his place in college and in the football team, it’s hard not to shed tears with the spitfire of his blond adoptive mother as she quickly dashes off into her car to hide her heartache that her new son is going off to live in college.

It’s the short and quiet scenes like these that make Bullock the serious leading Hollywood actress that she already has been for a long time, just waiting for the right role.

While the film also has many of those big sentimental moments, it’s the little nuances in body language or facial expressions by the characters that make you feel a little warmer on the inside and give the movie the big heart that it deserves.

Ultimately, The Blind Side is a big package of love, hope and all things good in a family. Paired with the drama of a young black man’s awe-inspiring story, a very convincing and skillful cast, and America’s all-time favourite sport, you’ve a winning formula that’s sweeter than fudge, and bound for greater things during its run on the silver screen.

The UrbanWire gives The Blind Side 4 popcorns.

Release: Jan 14 (Singapore)

Duration: 128 min

Language: English

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Sports / Drama

Director: John Lee Hancock

Cast: Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates, Quinton Aaron, Lily Collins, Jae Head

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As the blaring sounds and fireworks of 2010 start to play and remind us that we’ve come to the end of yet another decade, UrbanWire compiles the greatest of the reigning 8 American Idols debut music for your auditory pleasure.

At no cost or canticles, it’s our way of wishing you the very best for the new year ahead!

This article is the last of a 3-part series on American Idol releases. Be sure to check here for a recap of past seasons and here for our review on reigning Idol champ Kris Allen’s debut CD!

The brand new ninth season of American Idol begins on Jan 12.