Entertainment : In Depth: 'Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters'

This week the Palace Theatre offers up “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.” This film is rated PG for violence and mild language, and runs 1:46 minutes. Showtimes are 7pm each night Friday through Thursday, and of course, the 2 pm matinee on Monday.

“Sea of Monsters” is the second film adaptation of the “Percy Jackson” Action/Adventure book series. Depending on who you ask, the book is much better than the film. I don’t have the attention span to read an entire book, so I always think the film version is much better. Besides, I like it when all the imagining is done for me. Anyway…

The main character, Percy Jackson, is the human son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. In order to save Camp Halfblood from a variety of perilous monsters, and certain elimination, Percy and a few other “halfbloods” set off in search of the golden fleece, a mythical blanket that has the power to bring life to the dead, and heal the injured. They encounter a ruthless “halfblood” who’s turned to the dark side, a sea monster, a cyclops, and the ferocious Kronos, a fiery, ill-tempered god.

Here’s the bottom line: “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters” is a really fun film to watch. It’s got nonstop action, magic, whimsy, and a very witty dialogue. For example, the bad boy “halfblood” Luke says, “I’ve searched everywhere for the fleece. I’ve crawled into the mirky depths of Tardis, even Cleveland.” Well, I thought it was funny.

Although aimed at the preteen and early teenage market, adults will like it too. The script reminded me a little of the old Bugs Bunny cartoons, you know, where the kids liked it, but the jokes were really aimed at the parents. You’ll see what I mean.

And one more thing… I’d like to remind you again what a great deal the Palace Theatre really is. I saw “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters” in the big city. I took a kid with me to a matinee performance. It cost me $7.25 per ticket, and we stepped away from the concession stand for just over 20 bucks. Total cost, just shy of $30.00 for the two of us AT A MATINEE! If I had seen the same movie at the Palace, it would have cost me $3.00 per ticket, and about $10 at the concession stand. That’s over HALF THE PRICE of the big city theaters, in a much nicer atmosphere. Or you can look at it this way. Bring twice as many people to the Palace for the same money as you’d spend in Cedar Rapids. Either way, you save big by coming to the Palace!