To this day, our mythology matters.
Whether it’s stories that tap into religious beliefs or mythological beasts, the stories of the gods continue to have relevance to us. Through the flaws and failings of the supernatural, these ancient tales continue to challenge us to discover what it means to be truly human. It’s this spirit that anchors Percy Jackson and the Olympians, the new (and improved) series that wants to tap into the mythological realm while navigating the minefield of youth.
Now streaming on Disney+, Percy Jackson and the Olympians follows Percy Jackson (Walker Strobel), a young man who is shocked to learn that his estranged father is more than human. Uniting with other children of the gods, Percy and his new friends, Annabeth and Grover, (Leah Jeffries and Aryan Simhadri) set out on a quest to prevent an all-out war that could threaten an unwitting humanity.
Having found mixed results with some of its other rebooted series, like Willow or National Treasure: Edge of History, Disney+ has finally found a revival worth reviving. Like a bolt of lightning from the heavens, Percy Jackson and the Olympians series finally breathes life into the flailing franchise. Without the rushed runtime of the cinema, this latest incarnation gives greater opportunity for the characters to come to life. Even though this is a supernatural world, these characters finally feel more real. Here, relationships are more fully flashed out and characters feel more authentic.
As much as it has always focused on gods and monsters, the true soul of the Percy Jackson franchise is the coming-of-age of its young characters. By slowing down its runtime, Olympians actually manages to capture some of the magic that made the Harry Potter franchise so special. Unlike the Jackson films that came before, the series finally emphasizes the burden of youth and the challenges of growing up in a manner that feels true to their age.
With this in mind, much of the success of these Olympians remains due to its casting, especially its young stars. Having recently starred in The Adam Project with Ryan Reynolds, Strobel shows true promise in the lead role. As the titular character in Percy Jackson, he impresses with a great deal of confidence and maturity. But Strobel’s maturity is matched by the fire and funny of co-stars Jeffries and Simhadri who bring their characters to life with enthusiastic glee. (In fact, even adult in smaller roles such as Jason Mantzoukas and Megan Mullaly elevate the series in their limited minutes.)
Similar to the source material, Olympians wants to help us to understand what makes a monster. From the outset, we are told that “not all things that look like monsters really are”. For Percy, the meaning of a monster means more than simply mythological meanies on the prowl. Instead, he believes that its the intent of the soul that determines their worth.
But, as he quickly learns, the quality of one’s spirit isn’t always easily determined.
In the end, Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a series that wins the day. While a second season has yet to be announced, there’s more than enough source material to keep the adventures coming. In the meantime though, Olympians may be the adventure your family has been looking for to make your holiday bright.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians airs its 2-episode premiere on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, with new episodes each Tuesday afterwards.
