Saturday 24 August 2013

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Movie Review



The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones WonderCon 2013 Live Blog image
Source: Cinema Blend
 
On Wednesday, my sister and I hit our local movie theatre to see The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, something that we've both been eagerly anticipating for the past year. The Mortal Instruments series has been a favourite of mine for years now and it was exciting and hella nerve-wracking to finally see it portrayed on the big screen!
 
The cast for this movie was great. I thought Jamie Campbell Bower, Lily Collins and Robert Sheehan in particular were excellent in their roles and that Aidan Turner (Luke) and CCH Pounder (Madame Dorothea) more than did their characters justice. I would have liked to see more of Alec's soft, vulnerable side and more of Isabelle's fiery, sarcastic side, but I understand that they were working on limited screen time. One character that did disappoint me a little, acting-wise, was Godfrey Gao. I was really excited for him to be Magnus (and I still love him, looks alone!) but I thought his lines lacked emotion.
 
HQ Cast Photo - mortal-instruments Photo
Source: Fanpop
 
In terms of the plot, this is where I'm split. On one hand, I liked it a lot from the perspective of someone that has read the book. I had no trouble understanding what was going on but that's obvious -- I mean, I'm clearly familiar with the mythology and the world. Now, if I was going into this movie with zero prior knowledge... I'd probably be confused and held back by the sheer amount of stuff. It's a lot of information to take in and a fine line to juggle when trying to stay true to the books, but I really wish more of the details of the Shadowhunter world had been left out to keep it simple. Never thought I'd say this, but I almost wish the movie had strayed a bit further from the books!

Where the movie did stray, it wasn't difficult to tell why. A lot seemed to be to amp up the drama and I liked the action-filled, exciting atmosphere that ensued. It wasn't all fight scenes and demon kills though. I was glad that the humor that permeates the books was present in the films -- it was definitely needed to lighten the mood at times.
 
Source: TMI Source
I was pretty impressed with the CGI/special effects in the movie. Let's just leave it at this: everything that was supposed to be creep me out did. Sign of a successful movie, clearly ;)

To sum it up: I think book fans will be pleased with this movie and how the actors managed to portray their favourite characters. Viewers that are new to the series however may find it hard and a bit tiresome to follow along with the plot and mythology. Personally though? I really, really liked it!

This movie has been receiving such mixed reviews... have you seen it? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

9 comments:

  1. I JUST got back from seeing it. I have to say, I actually wish there had been MORE detail to the Shadow Hunters, cos most of that didn't really seem to be clear to me. Especially why they have sonic screwdrivers in what is clearly NOT an episode of Doctor Who.

    I really liked the first twenty or so minutes, but once it got to the romance stuff I just wanted to cry from the awkward. Most of the audience was laughing when they kissed, and that love triangle business is just awful.

    But if they make a second movie I will go see it.

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    Replies
    1. LOOOL -- sonic screwdrivers. Um, Shadowhunters have them too? You thought only the Doctor was that special? But no, it's a Witchlight :P It's basically just a stone that brings light to the user.

      Have to agree on the romance... it was pretty awkward. It just seemed so rushed in the movie (pretty sure it wasn't that bad in the book?) In any case, I've never been a huge Clary/Jace fan (although I do like them!). My audience was pretty silent throughout.

      Well, glad you at least liked it enough to give the sequel a shot! :)

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  2. Petition for Sassy Izzy and Magnus in the next movies!!! I totally agree with your review- I am just in love with the cast and I definitely think they could shine more in the later movies.

    City of Ashes starts filming soon!!! SQUEEEEEEEE

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  3. I saw it and really enjoyed it. Although I know it didn't do that well in theaters, but it still seems like they'll be making the sequel.

    And I actually saw it with my husband, and he seemed to follow everything pretty well even without any background, and predicted pretty well what happens in the sequels. Although he is the one who will spoil a movie halfway through because he's figured it out, and I still have no idea what's coming. So maybe he's just good at getting movies.

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  4. Movies are considered as a mere medium of entertainment, but they are much beyond that. They are equivalent to other creative art forms like painting, sculpture, dancing or singing. Cathay cinema

    ReplyDelete