Directed by Harald Zwart
Screenplay by Jessica Postigo
Based on the novel by Cassandra Clare
Review
From Shadowhunters, demons, vampires, and werewolves to warlocks, The Mortal Instruments has it all for the folks who love or can at the least appreciate, the world of the supernatural.
With fun action, amazing casting choices (from Jared Harris, Lena Headey to Jonathan Rhys Meyers), and an engaging romantic story to pull at the heartstrings, there is absolutely nothing dull about this adaptation of the bestselling YA urban fantasy series.
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And yes, this is urban fantasy with some paranormal romance on the side. If you go in expecting something more ‘adult,’ something more realistic and academically literary for the big screen, well you will very likely walk away disappointed. No doubt you are probably not the target audience anyway.
What the Critics Say
Unsurprisingly, reading the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, they were primarily negative and commonly (and unoriginally, I might add) compared this to Twilight as if somehow EVERY genre teen story equates to Twilight.
One of my favorites called the film a “desperate Twilight wannabe” (The Hollywood Reporter). At the same time, The New York Times stated that “References to “Star Wars” and the Harry Potter and Twilight universes pose less of a problem than the increasingly messy action scenes and an overabundance of main characters, more than enough to fuel several franchises.”
An overabundance of main characters seems exaggerated, and the critics are fueled by a passion for hating this film simply because 1) they fail to understand the genre and 2) they have joined the sheep who believe every teen paranormal romance story likens to Twilight.
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Another of my ‘favorite’ critiques from Sky Movies described the film “as shambolic drivel, a lazy, unfocused, over-complicated attempt to ape Potter while drearily providing a Twilight-style love triangle.”
Despite the overly pretentious nonsense spouted here, a love triangle is not new. Even L.J. Smith’s teen paranormal romance books in the ’90s included love triangles (i.e., The Vampire Diaries and The Secret Circle). Not to mention, love triangles have been around since the beginning of storytelling (Arthur, Lancelot, and Guinevere come to mind).
Stephenie Meyer was not the first in her genre to include a triangle, nor will she be the last. So, taking ‘only’ The Mortal Instruments adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s engaging fantasy series into account (which, by the way, is not actually like Twilight), I found the film succeeded in what it aimed to do: entertain.
Mortal Instruments falls into a similar category to Twilight but nothing more. It’s like saying that whenever you see a spy gadget in a movie, someone has copied James Bond. Like Film Noir, urban fantasy, or even paranormal romance have elements that will likely be found in most stories of the genre, so if you see a snarky, disillusioned detective – oh, sorry, wrong genre, a love interest with extraordinary powers, don’t fret. It’s not copying Twilight; it’s just staying true to the genre with its own unique twist.
The Story
The story follows Clary, a young, artistic, and seemingly normal teen who stumbles into a secret world when she witnesses a murder in a club that only she can see. To the rest of the world, including her sweet best friend Simon, who has unrequited feelings for Clary, these killers (or shadowhunters, as it would turn out) happen to be invisible if they choose to be.
There is also something mysterious about Clary herself. Her mother (Lena Headey) and mother’s best friend Luke (scene-stealer Aidan Turner) clearly have something to hide. And as Clary starts drawing a strange symbol, time becomes of the essence.
Soon, like many teen protagonists in urban fantasy, Clary learns of the extraordinary when she meets the handsome Jace, a shadowhunter (demon hunter descended from angels), and of the top-secret world in which she comes from when her mother goes missing. She must then, of course, leave the ordinary behind forever and no longer remain a mundane (regular human).
What works about Clary as a character with a destiny is that she is flawed. She makes mistakes by acting like a stubborn teenager but she also shows bravery in moments that would send most packing. She will do anything to find and save her mother (even if sometimes her naivety is completely frustrating in a few scenes).
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As the story continues to unfold, the audience learns of Valentine, who is after Clary because her mother Jocelyn revealed to Clary (though the memories have been repressed with a spell) that the mortal cup, a powerful object that will help him create an army of shadowhunters, is hidden. The film builds suspense as we question who to trust in this veiled world; anyone could be trying to get the cup, after all.
The Characters
Was there an overabundance of characters, as several critics complained? The answer is most certainly not. In fact, I found the characters quite simple to follow because of the self-contained plot taking place in the empty mansion. There were only six main characters in total. The rest supported the plot and appeared as needed.
Overall, there is the protagonist Clary, her best friend Simon, Jace, his small team of two shadowhunters, a warlock, a witch, Valentine (our villain), the older shadowhunter played by the fabulous Jared Harris, and Jocelyn and Luke.
Of course, there are also Valentine’s two goons (if one could consider them ‘actual’ characters). With fewer characters than other genre-based stories, such as Pirates of the Caribbean and the Harry Potter franchise, I fail to see where all the complaints stem from.
And to top it all off, most of the side characters captured my interest. Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ interpretation of the villainous Valentine was fantastic, while Sarah Connor (I mean Jocelyn) pulled off the mother so well that I want more of her backstory.
I particularly want a sequel for her backstory. But it was Aidan Turner as Luke that drew me in the most. He pulled off his part with charisma and humor that didn’t even seem part of the screenplay. If only he had been in more scenes…
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The main players also played their parts believably. Lily Collins (Clary) had a wonderful innocence about her, Robert Sheehan (Simon) had a sweet adorableness and likability, and Jamie Campbell Bower (Jace) had an aura of intensity that makes for a strong, romantic lead.
None of the actors came off as amateurish or with a tone of voice that told me they were actors on screen rather than characters I could believe in. The dialogue, in all its campy glory, also rang true and didn’t make me cringe.
The Romance
The romance is compelling and goes to a dark place, which I think the audience will not expect if they are new to the story (I won’t spoil it for you). The chemistry between the three leads felt palpable and convincing. Everything about the casting and the writing of the romantic elements within this fantasy world came together seamlessly for a good whole.
I have to confess that while I am sure Clary and Jace have the most popular love story, I felt drawn to Jocelyn and Luke and the unrequited feelings between their characters. Can they have something more? I hope so and anxiously await the five possible movie sequels.
I will also be reading the books (I did read the first one years back and loved it then, but I need a refresher) to further flesh out their stories. Perhaps I am just biased towards Luke because of my love for Mitchell and Being Human. No, but seriously, he plays the perfect werewolf.
Overall Thoughts
Was this movie without flaws? No. Some background details need more fleshing out and are likely confusing to those who haven’t read the book. I didn’t understand Hodge (Jared Harris) as well as I could have, for instance. There were also a few moments of cheese, but they were still rare.
Overall, this film has something for almost everyone (gritty realism fans or those not interested in urban fantasy should probably stay away) from the romance to the fun adventure and action. Hopefully, enough people will overlook the negative reviews and decide for themselves. See this movie and trust me, you’ll be entertained.
Content Note: The film is PG-13
You can now buy The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones on DVD/Blu-Ray.
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MORE ROMANCE:
Did you ever go back and read the whole series? If you haven’t, I strongly encourage it. Get through book 3 at least, and if you’re not hooked by then it’s probably not for you. I love the world she created, and the more I read the more I felt like I was walking in that world. I remember seeing a girl’s tattoo at one point and getting so excited that I’d found a real life shadowhunter.
In addition to the original series which includes 7 books, there is the Infernal Devices trilogy and The Dark Artifices trilogy which both take place in the same shadowhunter universe and even include many of the same characters. If you’re a fan of Magnus there is even The Bane Chronicles. With even more books expected in the future, it’s a great world to get lost in for a while.