The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones Review

Source: Sony

Young adult novels are certainly something of a strength in literature at current, and it shows in their popularity when picked up for big-screen adaptation, with a wealth of talent often involved. From the likes of The Twilight Saga, The Hunger Games and many more, the box office is reaping the rewards of such hugely followed properties, and the latest in line is The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones.

City Of Bones sees young Clary (Lily Collins) being thrust into a whole new world as she slowly begins to experience visions and constantly comes across specific symbols that cause her to question who she really is. When she meets the lethal and mysterious Jace (Jamie Campbell Bower), Clary is welcomed into a whole new world within New York called Downworld; a place where others like her roam and where dangers lurk around every corner.

As Clary delves deeper into this world, along with the aid of best friend Simon (Robert Sheehan), she uncovers that her unique abilities are just the tip of the iceberg, with so much more going on around her that she was completely unaware of.

Adapted from Cassandra Clare's novel, City of Bones is a typical concoction of YA fiction, with its love triangle, secrets aplenty and a willingness to conjure up threat for the main characters on a regular basis. It's a paint-by-numbers variety of film that feels rather familiar but still oozes confidence and delivers some intrigue heading forward.

At the heart is young Lily Collins and fortunately she proves that the leading lady fits her like the proverbial glove. Initially a vulnerable young woman confused by what is going on around her, Collins' Clary blossoms into a feisty, strong-willed individual and one whose characteristics serve up a magnitude of reasons why you should fully back her.

Alongside Collins, the main men in Jamie Campbell Bower and Robert Sheehan both make their mark, with Campbell Bower's dark, moody Jace by far the standout from the characters introduced so far. While Clary turns from innocence to full-blown guile and determination, Jace's evolution sees his infatuation with her unleash his softer side, the killer in him somewhat tamed at times. Sheehan, as ever present in television show Misfits, is a joy to watch and it's great to see him leap up to the big stage.

With a collection of positive characters, director Harold Zwart wastes no time in upping the scale as his vision of Clare's world presents itself in all its glory, impressing upon its presentation and looking far from a low budget page-to-screen offering. From the sprawling buildings filling the New York air, to the rich historical interiors, filled with awe, Zwart creates a truly remarkable picture of what many will have imagined from the page.

Delighting us with an array of thrilling action sequences, as well as keeping the film grounded in drama, Zwart cleverly weaves the often twisting storyline into a two-hour adventure that rarely lets up. The twists within the film are nicely whipped up and the scope for further films certainly fills one with optimism, but often there is an air of predictability about the whole film. A feeling of 'been there, done that' does tend to creep in at times, and, while delivered well, the main twist within the film is both perplexing and unsettling, almost denting our connection with two of the main characters.

That being said, The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones is a good introduction to what could prove to be a blossoming YA franchise. Filled with intrigue and bolstered by a wealth of drama, action and solid characters, it is a film that maintains a reserved stance, teasing what is to come further down the line; something that keeps the interest levels at a peak and audiences wanting more.