Watch The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
- PG-13
- 2013
- 2 hr 10 min
-
5.8 (139,490)
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is a fantasy adventure film released in 2013, directed by Harald Zwart and based on the first novel of the same name by Cassandra Clare. It stars Lily Collins as Clary Fray, a seemingly ordinary teenager living in New York City who discovers that she is part of a secret society of demon hunters called Shadowhunters. The movie also stars Jamie Campbell Bower as Jace Wayland, a cocky and handsome Shadowhunter; Robert Sheehan as Simon Lewis, Clary's best friend; and Kevin Zegers as Alec Lightwood, Jace's adopted brother.
The story begins with Clary on her 18th birthday, where she visits a nightclub with Simon and witnesses a murder committed by a group of people with strange tattoos. These people turn out to be Shadowhunters, and due to Clary's ability to see them despite their magical abilities to remain hidden, they realize that she is a Shadowhunter too. However, Clary has no memory of her past as one, as her mother Jocelyn (played by Lena Headey) had hidden her past from her in order to protect her from her enemies. When her mother is kidnapped, Clary teams up with Jace and his fellow Shadowhunters to rescue her and discover the truth about her past.
The film takes the audience on a journey through a parallel world where creatures like werewolves, vampires, and warlocks coexist with Shadowhunters. The Shadowhunters are tasked with protecting the world from demons, who have been summoned by the villainous Valentine Morgenstern (played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers), a powerful Shadowhunter who seeks to eradicate all Downworlders (creatures like vampires and werewolves) and bring about a new era of Shadowhunter supremacy. Clary learns that she is the key to stopping Valentine, as she possesses a powerful magical object called the Mortal Cup that he desperately seeks.
As Clary and Jace delve deeper into the Shadow World, they come to realize that their relationship is not quite what it seems. What they initially thought was a budding romantic connection is revealed to be something much more complicated due to their intertwined pasts. Meanwhile, Simon, who is not a Shadowhunter, is struggling to come to terms with the reality of the supernatural world around him.
Throughout the movie, the characters must navigate a web of secrets and betrayals to uncover the truth about Clary's past and her role in preventing Valentine's plan. They embark on a perilous journey, venturing into dangerous realms and battling demons and other creatures. Their journey takes them to various locations, including the Shadowhunter Institute, an abandoned cathedral, and a spooky hotel in the heart of New York City.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones features impressive special effects that bring the fantastical world to life. The action sequences are well-choreographed, and the film uses humor and witty banter to lighten the more intense moments. The cast, anchored by a strong performance from Lily Collins, is charismatic and engaging, and each member brings their unique personality and style to their respective characters.
In conclusion, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is an exciting and visually stunning movie that transport viewers to a world of magic, mystery, and adventure. The film sets the stage for a larger narrative that focuses on the Shadowhunters and their battles against Valentine and other villains. Although the movie was not a commercial success, it has gained a cult following and remains a beloved entry in the world of fantasy cinema.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is a 2013 fantasy movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 33.