“This is a pen. This is a *pen*”

Listen—I know that Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief is not book accurate. If you’re a fan of the Percy Jackson series by author Rick Riordan, like I am, we’re all well aware of this fact. Let’s just get that statement out of the way, because in this article, we’re going to celebrate this iconic movie for what it is and ignore what is actually canon in the books. Because in all reality, as a stand alone film, Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief is fun, adventurous, and it has Logan Lerman in it—truly everything you could want out of a 2000s movie.

This year at The Game of Nerds, we’re celebrating 16 years of this film adaption of Percy Jackson! Premiering in 2010, Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief holds a special little place in this author’s heart. Watching this movie is what prompted me to read all of the books in it’s series, and sequel series. It introduced fans to a mythology based fantasy movie, and definitely jumpstarted a hyper fixation in young teens everywhere on Greek legends, myths, and Gods.

This movie also has a surprisingly stacked cast. We’ve already established that Logan Lerman was an amazing choice for Percy, but this film also stars Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, and Uma Thurman. Watching this movie as an adult, knowing how huge those actors are, was a wild realization.

Welcome to Camp Half-Blood!

“Oh, you guys take camp way too seriously”.

THE PERFECT PERCY, THANK POSEIDON

While Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief doesn’t follow the plot of the book it’s based on, it covers the main ideas of the Percy Jackson Series. In this world, those Greek myths and heroes you read about in history class are real. Greek gods live on Olympus, have control over their domains, and have continued influencing western civilization without mortals noticing. They also, in their spare time, hook up with those mortals and have kids who are born as demigods—meet Percy Jackson, son of Sally Jackson and Poseidon.

As the son of the Sea God, Percy has dark black hair and blue eyes, which is why Logan Lerman is essentially the perfect Percy look-alike. As a teenager (in this adaption) Percy discovers the truth about his parentage and that half-bloods like him exist all over the world. Mostly though, they train at Camp Half-Blood, a place for demigods to stay hidden and safe from the monsters and myths that chase after them.

In learning about the truth of his father, Percy also finds out that someone has been plotting for him to take the fall of a theft on Olympus—Zeus’ Master Bolt has been stolen. Hence, Percy is dubbed “The Lightning Thief”, when all he wanted to do was pass Algebra class. He is being used as a scapegoat in a massive scheme for the Gods to start a war, and unfortunately, Percy is also the only one that can stop them by going on a quest to find the bolt, save his mom, and clear his name.

How hard can it be?

ALWAYS BET ON BLACK

Despite differing from the book, Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief has some incredibly iconic scenes that make up for it. Nothing screams 2000s like using the reflection in your iPod to cut off Medusa’s head. Or, hearing Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” playing in the background as Percy, Annabeth, and Grover are lured into a casino by eating the most delicious looking lotus flower I’ve ever seen.

I won’t lie when I say that the casino scene in Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief is actually one of my favorite scenes in cinema. It 100% carries the whole movie—the music choice, the blurred background, the unrepressed giggles, Grover walking around with satyr legs and 5 women on his arm, it’s just absolute perfection.

To celebrate this anniversary, you need to rewatch at least this scene from the movie. Check it out below! And if anyone knows where to get some of those edible lotus flowers, please let me know.

BACK TO OLYMPUS

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief completes it’s quest back in New York City, after a final battle between Percy and Luke, who turned out to be the thief all along (spoiler!). After an epic battle between the sky and the water, Percy ultimately succeeds in his quest and returns the Master Bolt back to Sean Bean, I mean, Lord Zeus.

Percy had to discover and accept a lot about himself in just a short timespan. Being the forbidden son of the Big Three Gods isn’t easy! But the most important realization? Camp Half-Blood is Percy’s home, and that’s where he is meant to be.

Percy was 16 when he uncovered the truth behind his life. And now, it’s been 16 years since we got to see it on the big screen! Time flies when you’re slaying monsters and helping your Greek God parent.

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief is currently streaming on Disney+