angelinaThe award winning young adult fiction book series by popular American writer, Rick Riordan, has finally finished it’s first season on Disney Plus. The highly anticipated show, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, has received an influx of feedback from viewers. From critiques regarding the casting choices to the CGI effects, the show has been enveloped in relative discourse. Unsurprising, given the presence of loyal fans who have followed the book series, the movie adaptions, and the currently airing TV series very closely. Which as of now has six episodes out to watch. This viewer, as a long-standing enjoyer of the young adult fiction series, I for one, quite a bit to say.
As many may or may not know, casting for the beloved character Annabeth Chase from the novel has received quite a bit of scrutiny. Annabeth in the book series was often described to be a blonde with calculating gray eyes and unexpectedly so, the actress currently portraying the character is Leah Jeffries, a young black American actress.
As of late, Disney has been on a streak of casting actresses that aren’t necessarily physical matches for their fictional characters, as seen in The Little Mermaid, and the up and coming snow white. Percy Jackson and the Olympians is no exception. Casting controversy related to viewer discontent is not uncommon, however, “discontent” could not possibly encapsulate the backlash Jeffries has received.
If we were to recall in the earlier movie adaptations, critiques for casting were not reserved for Alexandra Daddario, the actress playing Annabeth. For reference, the characters in the fictional series are aged to around twelve at the start of the books, and Daddario was twenty four at the start of shooting. Not to mention she isn’t quite dirty blonde or particularly gray eyed.
It didn’t bother viewers either, when Percy Jackson himself in the movie adaptations, didn’t seem to fit the picture. Despite the fact he was not in fact a twelve year old boy, neither was he tanned, olive skin toned or green eyed.
This doesn’t imply that I was dissatisfied with the casting choices for the movie adaptations. On the contrary, I believe they were well-suited for the roles. It’s important to remember that these are fictional characters in a fictional setting. The issue lies within elective criticism some viewers have regarding these casting decisions.
Still skeptical? Perhaps an even more defining opinion in regards to Jeffries’ casting, is Rick Riordan’s acknowledgment of Leah Jeffries as Annabeth Chase. The author of the series himself has stated, “If you have a problem with this casting, however, take it up with me.”, he continued on his blog to state that, “Leah Jeffries is Annabeth Chase.”
Nevertheless, it’s difficult to say that Jeffries isn’t fit for the role at any extent. There’s more to an actors role than outward appearance.
Besides minor casting controversies, casting has overall been well received. In particular, for the character Grover, who is played by Aryan Simhadri. I truly feel as though Simhadri has accurately depicted Grover. He has done an incredible job this season, and I can clearly observe how much Simhadri has grown into his role.
Props to Dior Goodjohn, her performance in the first couple of episodes as Clarisse was most commendable. It truly felt as though she had jumped right off the page. Despite minimal appearances in the season she has left her indelible mark on the show with her wonderful performance. Many young actors, being often inexperienced, struggle to express complex emotion on screen, however this was not the case for Goodjohn.
Additionally, the casting of Walker Scobell as the protagonist of this wonderful series is worthy of particular praise. Scobell embodies the essence of Percy Jackson remarkably, balancing the character’s youthful exuberance with the weight of his newfound responsibilities. He captures the spirit of Percy’s journey from an ordinary boy to a demigod hero.
In the young adult fiction series, Percy emerges as a compelling protagonist, characterized by his unyielding moral compass. He is depicted as a maverick, fearlessly confronting authority figures, including Ares, God of War, and even the mighty Zeus. His defiance is rooted sense of justice, as vehemently opposing the Gods’ exploitation of power and neglect of their offspring. Needless to say, his strong moral compass and heroic defeats, has won the hearts of many readers. He is clearly a beloved character. As such, there was a lot at stake when searching for the perfect actor of Percy and Scobell was precisely the best actor for this role. There is strong drive in Scobell’s Percy Jackson and this parallel between the TV show and novel series is exactly what was needed.
However, regardless of how incredibly cast these characters are, the script was not without flaws. The dialogue occasionally felt stilted, making some scenes difficult to act out, especially for younger and inexperienced actors, which the cast is largely comprised of. In addition, the script was a tad too unfaithful to the book at times, leading to some unnatural interactions on screen. Leaving many original fans of the book series to feel as though the show was lacking in many ways. I’ve certainly experienced moments of surprise while watching the show, watching many pivotal points in the storyline drastically altered or completely left out. Not only that but the show was much too fast paced, denying the script the justice it deserved. My experience with the books was quite different from the show, as many scenes and story elements that I thought were highlighted by Riordan didn’t seem to be reflected in the show.
However, this is a common challenge when adapting novels to screen, where the internal monologues and detailed descriptions that drive the narrative in books must be translated into dialogue and visual storytelling. If you’re thinking of watching despite not reading or having any knowledge of the book I would still recommend it as it possesses a compelling story nevertheless. Regardless of these occasional lapses, the overall narrative remained engaging and true enough to the spirit of Riordan’s work.
The CGI effects, while impressive in certain scenes, particularly those involving mythical creatures, sometimes fell short in others, especially in underwater scenes, often making the show difficult to watch. The portrayal of Camp Half-Blood, for instance, although visually appealing, lacked some of the magical essence that many fans might have expected. Yet, it’s important to acknowledge the constraints of television production, especially in comparison to big-budget films.
The direction and cinematography of the series deserve commendation. The use of camera angles and the overall visual storytelling effectively conveyed the grandeur and danger of the Percy Jackson universe. The directors succeeded in crafting a visually captivating world that complements the narrative and the characters’ journey.
The soundtrack and score also played a significant role in enhancing the viewing experience. The music was well-suited to the scenes, adding an extra layer of emotion and excitement, particularly during action sequences and pivotal moments in the storyline.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ first season on Disney Plus marks a significant achievement in adapting a beloved book series to screen. While it had its shortcomings in script, CGI, and acting,the strength of its casting, direction, and soundtrack largely compensated for these. The show has set a solid foundation for the characters and the world they inhabit. Fans and new viewers alike should indeed stay tuned, as the journey of Percy, Annabeth, and Grover is just beginning, promising more adventures and character development in the world of Greek mythology and modern-day heroism.
