{"id":48633,"date":"2013-08-27T18:16:25","date_gmt":"2013-08-27T17:16:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scifinow.co.uk\/?p=48633"},"modified":"2013-08-27T18:16:25","modified_gmt":"2013-08-27T17:16:25","slug":"the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones-film-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scifinow.co.uk\/reviews\/the-mortal-instruments-city-of-bones-film-review\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones film review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Being based on a bestselling novel and with many on the hunt for the next Hunger Games<\/em>, the pressure was on for The Mortal Instruments:\u00a0City Of Bones<\/em>. Unfortunately, it\u2019s not up to HG<\/em> standards, but there are positives enough for it to be worth a watch.<\/p>\n

Supernatural creatures are creepier than anticipated, given the rating and considering it\u2019s director Harald Zwart (The Karate Kid<\/em>)\u2019s first fantasy gig. With a back catalogue comprised heavily of kid\u2019s movies, his demons, vamps and werewolves are surprisingly well constructed, fitting convincingly into urban Manhattan.<\/p>\n

The action is gripping enough to, momentarily, remove you from the inevitable love triangle conventional in YA adaptations. Thought the Twilight<\/em> teens had it hard? Imagine finding out your potential love might be your sibling, after sharing a kiss more passionate than that of Luke and Leia.<\/p>\n

Get passed the clich\u00e9d romance scenes and awful \u2018you know I told you I\u2019d never seen an angel?\u2019 chat-up line and the leads are rather good. Campbell Bower\u2019s (Harry Potter<\/em>, Twilight<\/em>) Jace is satirical, delivering one-liners flawlessly among his otherwise brooding persona.<\/p>\n

Sheehan\u2019s Simon, too, is amusing, though not as hilarious as his Misfits<\/em>‘ character; understandable when considering the differing certificates. Collins (Mirror Mirror<\/em>) deserves praise for tough but not faultless Clary, who\u2019s set on finding her mum, without constantly focusing on the lads. The \u2018kids\u2019 certainly steal the show; with Lena Headey, Jared Harris and Jonathan Rhys Meyers given comparatively less screen time.<\/p>\n

Costumes can be eccentric. Clary even questions why she need dress like a lady of night to get into a party, although, when the host emerges trouser-less, she seems overdressed. The goth look can be OTT, but sci-fi favours a studded, leather-clad wardrobe, right? The Shadowhunters\u2019 tattoos, however, appear to be inked on with a Sharpie.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s room for improvement, but it\u2019s good enough to aid growing appeal in YA adaptations. You might not pre-book for part two, but you\u2019ll probably rent the DVD.<\/p>\n

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