I will not apologise for taking a while to post due to college work, again, because I refuse to sound like a broken record....but I am sorry anyway. I think the best thing to do is just get on with the review of the movie Mortal Instruments. So here it is, whilst I sit here gorging on food, particularly a whole tub of sorbet (IT'S SOOOOO GOOD!!!!) I give to you, my take on this interesting movie (even if it was released ages ago and this review is completely out of date. Last year seems way too long ago now....it is crazy!). Rant now over....
Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
After having read the books, ages ago at the start of secondary school, right from the start I wanted this movie to be good and live up to the world that the author, Cassandra Clare, imagined. And, overall, it very nearly does. Falling just short due to the fact it is, what I term, a 'set-up' movie (yes I have copyrighted the phrase....even if it won't catch on...and probably exists already anyway). This is only the first movie in, hopefully, a trilogy (at least) to come in the future. Consequently, the storyline of this first film was constricted by the fact, a lot of backstory needed to be clearly explained. Thus, there were moments in the movie that seemed to fall slightly flat, in between more action-packed scenes. Ultimately, however, this movie was really good and I still recommend it, despite the need for 'setting up' the franchise, slightly affecting the narrative.
First of all, I think the dedication the film showed, in sticking to the original works by Cassandra Clare, is something the movie can be proud of. All the actors, and actresses, did an excellent job in bringing to life the much-loved characters from the book. Lily Collins as the main protagonist Clary Fray, is a perfect balance of determination to succeed, with hints of unstableness (is that a word?....does not sound like one....oh well) at being thrust into a completely alien, supernatural world. Also, Jamie Campbell Bower, playing the enigmatic Jace Wayland, is the perfect amount of sarcastic remarks and one-liners, to keep the audience engaged in the storyline and keep Clary struggling forward against fearsome beasts like a Rottweiler (it is much more terrifying than it sounds....'silly putty' will never be the same again).
Furthermore, despite many of the romantic moments between the leads, Jace and Clary, being overly cliche and rather 'sappy' at times, the credibility of the movie is maintained in the fact some of the creatures used in the film, are surprisingly shocking in their freakiness. Especially the Rottweiler....'shivers'... It makes the world, that has been created, that more captivating to watch, even if the romance can leave you cringing slightly from a sugary after taste.
The whole plot, for the movie, is extremely interesting and unique compared to what has already been introduced to the supernatural/fantasy genre. Though it is lesser now, the fantasy genre is normally dominated by werewolves and vampires, and though they do appear in this movie, the focus is heavily on shadowhunters or nephilim (part angel). A society of dangerous, and super cool, 'warriors' who fight all that goes 'bump in the dark'. Yes, it is cliche. Yes it is cheesy. And yes, it is ok to wish you were a shadowhunter. The movie has tried to mix all the conventions of fantasy genre into one movie. Witches, vampires, werewolves and even angels (at least part-angels) make at least one appearance during the movie, if not more, and the attempt to cater for all these fantastical creatures, in one single film, is admirable.
One of the reasons, this movie had such a lacklustre performance at box office, in my opinion, is shown through it's soundtrack. Artists like Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato and Jessie J, though all really talented, can show an alienation of an older audience towards the movie. The soundtrack and promotional campaign, chose to focus on a teenager audience and forgot, that many readers of Clare's original books, are adults. Right from the start, comparisons were drawn between other franchises such as 'Twilight' which may, ultimately, have turned many possible fans away from the movie, who were not interested in seeing something so similar. Even then, the fact that filming for the sequel was pushed back due to poor ratings, is really disheartening, as worse films have easily gained sequels (they will remain unnamed).
For these reasons, and many more, I give this film a rating of:
3.5/5
The movie, despite the fact a lot of time had to be dedicated to explanations of the world that had been created, was not that disappointing. Despite many films being linear, this film did not just leave all the action till towards the end of the film. Riveting fight scenes, with quickly cut transitions and tense music, are dotted frequently throughout the film. Whether it be Clary's mum, being scarily dangerous (I never knew a refrigerator could be such an efficient self-defence weapon), or a creepy little girl ready to sink her teeth into Clary (and that is all I want to say), there are a variety of scenes that will leave you desperately grasping towards the screen. It is not just left until the end.
Ultimately, if you want to watch some shadowhunters kick some butt ( I am trying to be polite), destroy some demons, and young Clary's life, and that of her awkward friend Simon (played by Robert Sheehan) get absolutely flipped upside down, stomped on and put through a dishwasher...multiple times, then this is a film for you. It has some flaws, but is entertaining enough and worth at least one watch.
Well...here is the review. It is shorter than normal, maybe due to the fact I struggled to decide what I wanted to say. It is a difficult film to summarise. It has some really artistic shots and settings; especially shown through some cool flashbacks (it is a long story...Clary's mother actually hijacks her mind and gets some of her memories taken away....it is a bit invasive if you ask me). I may have struggled on what to write, but I will leave you to make up your own mind. That is, if you are intrigued enough to give this unique story/plot a chance.
Next Review: Baby Daddy ( the Television series) or The Originals (once again a TV series)
As usual, here are some photos to peruse. I took them on my television and if I do say so myself, they turned out......rubbish.....and blurry (my hand wouldn't stop shaking). Oh well, it is better than nothing.
Clary Fray (Lily Collins). Anyone that can pull of thickish eyebrows like in this movie, and still look really good, is ok according to me. (I also have some rather thick eyebrows....not that you were wondering).
Simon Lewis (Robert Sheehan). All you need to know is that he is awkward and geeky....my new best friend! He has a run in with vampires...and it may literally come back and bite him....hehe ;)
A rather blurry image of Jamie Campbell Bower as Jace Wayland. Moody and sarcastic but good with weapons. The perfect shadowhunter; despite the fact he is led to believe he is in love with his sister, Clary, who isn't his real sister...it is complicated.
The Rottweiler from hell....literally. And that is all I need to say....just look at it. :0 Unfortunately, I do not know the actor, dog actor, that plays this fine fellow.
What everyone in the movie wants. No, not a tarot card, but the Mortal Cup! All you have to do, to get it, is to have been fed extra angel blood whilst still in the womb, then use some nifty abilities to literally reach in and take it from the painted picture....piece of cake!
Alec Lightwood (Kevin Zegers). It is alluded to that he has a thing for Jace, leaving him one of the grumpiest people on the planet. I mean it! Anyways, in the next movie, if it goes ahead, he should have a bigger part as he may find love, though also the 'bane' of his existence.
We have Simon again, but with Isabelle Lightwood (Jemima West) also behind in a deep focus shot. Now she, more than anyone, is a shadowhunter who is ready to kick some butt! Some demon butt. She likes them fried and extra crispy!!
Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Valentine Morgenstern. The angry antagonist of the movie. He is desperate for the mortal cup, to fulfil his dastardly plans. He is deranged, especially in some scenes, but overall a great character.
Clary, again, showing off some angel mojo. We start to discover she is different from others surrounding her, because she is able to draw runes, power to a shadowhunter, that have never been seen before....intriguing.....
There is also a dwarf
called Kíli.....actually, that may be 'The Hobbit' :) However, Aidan
Turner is in the movie as Luke Garroway; resident werewolf. From a vampire
in BBC Being Human, to a werewolf and then a dwarf, Turner has definitely found
his niche in this genre.
Finally, a shot of Magnus 'Bane' (Godfrey Gao). The High Warlock of Brooklyn. Though not seen a lot in this movie, he has a vital role. He is the one who blocked Clary's memories and saves Alec from something (you will have to watch). What a hero! (even in such a blurry shot)
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