I have to say that I haven't read the book but my son has (age 9). I thought that the movie was a great action movie for kids. The storyline was easy to follow and the action was really good. Special effects were good as well, except when they show the humans next to the Gods. That needed work. My son, who has read the book, was disappointed that some of the good action scenes and characters were left out, but he was still very happy with the movie and ready for the next one.