Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief – Dir. Chris Columbus, starring Logan Lerman, Uma Therman, Pierce Brosnan

Percy Jackson is having a rough time at high school, but that’s the least of his troubles. The Gods of Olympus appear to have walked off the pages of his schoolbooks and into his life – and it turns out Percy is a demigod: half human, half god. It seems the gods are feuding, the whole planet is at stake, and Percy’s role is no longer homework but heroics.

We wonder if JK Rowling is getting bored of people trying to cash in on her success. Wizardry and magic are ladled over some cod Greek mythology in Percy and the Olympians, and if you happen to be aged between say eight and 12 the result will be a visual treat and a cinematic delight. If you happen to be older and wiser – or familiar with the Harry Potter franchise – you may just feel a little cheated.