Short Takes
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
★★★
This is the second film based on the fantasy tales for young adults created by Rick Riordan. The first film in 2010 was a huge hit because its concept was so clever: a teenager discovers he’s the descendant of a Greek god and sets out on an adventure to settle an ongoing battle between the gods.
The good news for the fans is that the second film is even better. This time, Percy and his team must risk the Sea of Monsters to tackle the mighty Titan, Kronos.
The special effects are impeccable, especially in the centaur, Chiron (Anthony Head), who is a strangely realistic half-human and half-horse. There’s a new character, Tyson, a cyclops portrayed by Douglas Smith, who is great in the role.
The CGI imagery and wonderful creatures they have created are excellent; the script has a sharp, witty feel and, after three years, its young actors are smarter and much more engaging. It’s great family viewing.
Arthur Newman ★★★
The sole reason to see this film is the partnership of Colin Firth and Emily Blunt, who do wonders with a strange kind of road trip.
Firth plays Arthur Newman, who feels like a very old man. He’s been divorced and his latest relationship has failed.
On a whim, he decides he is a good golfer and that he could become a pro at a very exclusive club.
He simply walks out of his old life and takes to the road, where he picks up a sexy, slutty hitchhiker (Blunt).
Both their lives are empty and pointless and they take a road trip to who knows where … They are both lying about who they are and where they have come from but, as they get closer, they reveal more about the dark and unhappy lives they have lived.
You can’t fault the actors, who are great, but the film has barely a plot to carry it along.
Unlike the two travellers, the story goes nowhere and not even these two great actors can steer it anywhere.