Movie Review: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

WARNING! There are tons of spoilers from both the series & movie!!

Starring: Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Kevin Zegers, Jemima West, and Robert Sheehan

Director: Harald Zwart

Day of Release: August 21, 2013

Day I saw it: August 25, 2013

Who I saw it with: Two of my friends and some of their friends

Review: The City of Bones is one of my favorite books. Actually, the entire series is one of my favorite series, so you can imagine how excited and anxious I was to see this film. I really wanted it to stay true to the book, and it did. I liked how many of the quotes from the book even made it into the film!

The sequence of some of the scenes changed a bit, but I didn't mind that, the scenes were still the same. Some of it was a bit different from the book though. In the film, Simon goes with Clary and Jace to the Institute earlier than he does in the book, and surprisingly, I was completely okay with this. The change wasn't that drastic and I actually liked having Simon there. It's weird because in the book I hated Simon, but in the movie, I thought he was adorable and I liked him (Not as much as Jace, though). Robert played him really well. Speaking of Simon, I actually liked what happened to him when the vampires took him better than what happened in the book.
However, I am not sure how I feel about all the shadowhunters going in to save him and not just Clary and Jace. That was a very important scene for Clary and Jace in the book. It showed how much Jace really cared about

Clary and was willing to even help her find the other boy who loves her. Oh, well. There was also some drastic changes towards the end of the film. Some of the changes I wasn't sure why they did, but I'm not complaining. One main change was the venue of where the big fight scene was, which to me, wasn't that important, and obviously if Cassandra Clare approved of the changes, then as a fan, I shouldn't care either. I think the biggest change that surprised me the most (and horrified me at first) was that Hodge told Valentine to lie to Clary and Jace and tell them that they're siblings to make them heartbroken. When that happened, I was like "WHAT?!" Major City of Glass spoiler for those who haven't read the books! However, I assume the reason why they did this is to prevent an uproar occurring from the nonreaders. If that part wasn't in the film, people would actually think that they were siblings and that incest was going on and would be truly disgusted and that would prevent them from seeing the future films. So I understand completely why they made this decision.

However, some nonreaders might not even notice Hodge saying that to Valentine. My friends who haven't read the books didn't and asked me if they really were siblings or not. Needless to say, I told them the truth. There were also some other changes at the end that I'm not going to discuss because that will take to long.

The acting was phenomenal! It's hard to believe that it was just over a year ago when I posted a post about how I felt about the actors whom were going to portray each character. Click HERE if you want to read it. I read through it right before starting this review, and I was pretty hard on Lily (Clary), Robert (Simon), and Aidan Turner (Luke). They all proofed me wrong, and I'm so glad they did! They are all fantastic actors and they all played their characters very well! When I saw Jamie and Lily, I didn't think "Oh, that's Jamie" or "Oh, that's Lily." I saw them as their characters and not themselves!

I simply loved the scenes between Jace and Clary. They were so cute, and it reminded me of how much I like them together and of how much I LOVE Jace. Jamie did amazing as Jace. He was able to portray the rude, arrogant attitude and still be completely likable! Gosh, I can't wait to re-watch those scenes again and see more scenes with the two of them in City of Ashes!!

Overall, I am still in Mortal Instruments mode after seeing this film yesterday. I seriously cannot wait to watch it again and to watch City of Ashes next year!!!

My Thoughts & Opinions on the City of Bones Cast

I am quite eager for the City of Bones Movie! I can't believe it comes out in just a little over a year and filming starts on August 15th!! What do you all think of the cast for the movie? I'm not sure what to think. I have mixed feeling about it. I will keep an open mind about it though & wait until the movie comes out to see how it really is. I just hope it isn't a bust or a disappointment the way Twilight was. I hope it is more like Harry Potter or The Hunger Games and does the book justice with talented actors and actresses. Here are my thoughts and opinions on the cast.

Lily Collins to play Clary Fray

Before I start, I just want to say that I have nothing at all against Lily. I loved her in The Blind Side & Abduction.  However, I'm still very, very worried about this one. I'm trying to be open minded about it, but I just can't see her as Clary. I don't know if she can pull off the red hair. I know people questioned Jennifer Lawrence at first when she was cast as Katniss in the Hunger Games, but then when they showed photos of her with brown hair, everyone was thrilled. I hope that's how it will be with Lily. I really hope they dye her hair red that will look realistic. I really think they should have cast someone who actually has red hair, but maybe she has a lot of talent as Clary. (I certainly hope so.) I also hope that I think "Oh, that's Clary" when I see her on screen and not "Oh, that's Lily Collins". We'll just have to see what happens.

Jamie Campbell Bower to play Jace Wayland

WARING!: HUGE City of Fallen Angels/City of Lost Souls Spoiler in this paragraph

When I first saw the trailer for City of Lost Souls, I automatically thought of Jamie Campbell Bower as Sebastian because the guy who played Sebastian in the trailer looked so much like Jamie. Then, like the next day, I found out that Jamie was cast as Jace and was horrified. I never thought of Jamie as an attractive guy, and Jace is supposed to be drop dead gorgeous and really, really hot. So, of course, I was disappointed. However, as days pasted, and I saw more recent photos of him, I realized that even though he is not how I pictured Jace & I don't think he's too attractive, I think he can pull it off really well as long as he has the acting skills. I actually look forward to seeing the first photos of him as Jace to see how he will look in the film.

Jemima West to play Isabelle Lightwood

I think Jemima looks perfect for the role of Isabelle! If she has talent, then I will have no complaints!

Godfay Gao to play Magnus Bane

I'm not surprised an Asian was cast to play Magnus. I pictured Magnus as an Asian because it said he was an Asian! Lots of people were surprised that Cassandra wanted an Asian to play Magnus, but they obviously didn't remember when Magnus was first introduced in City of Bones saying that Magnus was part Asian. I think Godfay will do great as Magnus! 

Kevin Zegers to play Alec Lightwood

Not sure what to think of Kevin as Alec. Not how I pictured him, but I think he can pull it off if they dye his hair black. I like how his eyes are blue like Alec's are. 

Jared Harris to play Hodge Starkweather

As soon as I saw that Jared was playing Hodge I knew he would make a great Hodge. He looks perfect for the part! I am sure he will do the part justice.

Robert Sheehan to play Simon Lewis

No. No way. Sorry. I always thought Simon was supposed to be nerdy. Like with short hair and glasses. Not with an Afro. Maybe the producers can make Robert look like a nerd. We'll see. Hopefully my opinion will change once the movie comes out.

Lena Headey to play Jocelyn Fray

I don't know what to think. I think that she may be able to pull off the red hair. Hopefully. I'll just have to wait to see her in character before I make any more judgments.

Aidan Turner to play Luke Garroway

Warning!: Minor Spoiler in this paragraph from City of Fallen Angels

I hate saying this, but this is the biggest mistake the casting director made. I mean, seriously? The guy is 29 years old. Luke is supposed to be Clary's future step-father. Clary is 15, almost 16. It would be horrible if a 29 year old had a 15 year old daugher. Just saying. I don't mean to be rude. I'm sure Aidan is a great actor, but he is just way, way too young to play a father-like figure of Clary's. Sorry. 

CCH Pounder to play Madame Dorothea 

Yes! Yes! Yes! She's absolutely perfect for the part! I can totally see her playing Mme. Dorothea. As soon as I saw that she was playing her, I was pleased. I have no doubts she will make a great Dorothea.

Stephen Hart to play Brother Jeremiah

Not exactly how I imaged him, but I think he'll do well. He definitely has the creepy vibe to him. Can't wait to see him actually in character. Now, that will be creepy.

Valentine & Raphael still haven't been cast yet. I look forward to seeing who will be playing each of them. What are your thoughts so far on the cast? I would like to know what you think! Feel free to comment!