Posts Categorized: mortal instruments

The Mortal Instruments
City of Bones
Release date: August 21, 21013
Directed by: Harald Zwart
Screenplay by: Jessica Postigo Paquette
Based on the novel by: Cassandra Clare
Executive Producers: Bob Shaye, Michael Lynne, Martin Moszkowicz
Cast: Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Robert Sheehan, Kevin Zegers, Lena Headey, Kevin Durand, Aidan Turner, Jemima West, Godfrey Gao with CCH Pounder, with Jared Harris and Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Movie Source: Saw in Theatres, bought our tickets
Genre: Action, Fantasy
PG-13

Summary: Set in contemporary New York City, a seemingly ordinary teenager, Clary Fray (Lily Collins), discovers she is the descendant of a line of Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of young half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons. After the disappearance of her mother (Lena Headey), Clary must join forces with a group of Shadowhunters, who introduce her to a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld, filled with demons, warlocks, vampires, werewolves and other deadly creatures. Based on the worldwide best-selling book series.

I took my husband who has never read Cassie Clare’s series with me on a date night to see City of Bones because I loved the original book in this series. The mythology, deep characters and magical setting drew me to Cassie Clare. However, about three minutes into the movie adaptation I could tell this probably was not for me. I don’t do well with violence and couldn’t stomach the gross alien like demons.

The tone of the movie was too dark for my taste and I was disappointed there wasn’t more story line or back story. There were a few witty one liners that really showed Cassie’s sense of humor and the cat and mouse banter of her characters. I just found myself wishing there were more. It seemed to be a very fast paced jump from one Halloween like scene to the next. The focus rests almost entirely on Clary, Jace and Simon with supporting actors being given just a few lines in the entire movie.

My husband was lost through most of it. After when I asked what he thought,  he responded,  “It was weird. They just jumped right in without explaining anything even up until the end.” He loved the action sequences and fighting skills of the actors, his favorite actor, Simon played by Robert Sheehan. However, he was scratching his head and leaning over to ask me questions through  most of the film, which leads me to believe if you hadn’t read the book you might not get it.

My favorite parts:

Lily Collins. Loved her. She fits Clary well and was beautiful, a great actress. I also liked the chemistry between her and Jamie Bower off screen in their interviews.

The door of the Institute- very cool how it locked automatically on the inside.

Hodge’s library and the portal. There was so much detail and attention to little things.

The one liners that came directly out of the book. They made the mood light where it really needed to be. This movie felt too horror show, not based enough in reality for me. I wanted to see more of the Brooklyn, mundane real life New York of present day woven in to the fabric of the film, instead of mostly the alternate Shadow Hunter world.

Simon. He fit the part exactly. How cool is it that he’s really from Ireland?! Robert is definitely not afraid to be himself.

The greenhouse garden scene was magical, but the kiss…a little over the top.

Did not like:

The first stand off with Luke and Valentine’s men in his shop. I found  it very offensive.

Valentine, Magnus or Alec. Valentine was not how I imagined him at all. Alec and Magnus looked the part but there was not enough character development or focus on their role to grow to like them in two hours.

And, I’m sorry folks, I am still not buying Jaime as Jace. He is a good actor, very like able, genuine, but he’s too thin compared to what I imagined. I’ll admit he grew on me after seeing the movie, but I’m still not there yet.

Consensus: I probably would not go to see it again and would not buy the movie.

Content: Adult. It’s not family friendly due to graphic demon scenes, violence and suggestive content. (I closed my eyes through about 1/3 of the movie)

The wonderful ladies at Mundie Moms have excellent coverage on all things TMI if you would like to learn more.

What did you think?