A Film Review by James Lewis
“Perfection…Well almost”.
The films screenplay was written by Jessica Postigo and is based on the world-wide bestselling book series known as The Mortal Instruments series written by Cassandra Clare. I personally have not read the books but after watching this film, I will be.
The film starts off in the usual Hollywood style; with aerial shots of the city then fading into shots of houses before being introduced to the main character Clary Fray (Lily Collins) talking on the phone and doodling an unknown symbol on a sticky note pad; which when her mum Jocelyn (Lena Headey) sees this symbol, she rips of the note and chucks it away, indicating that she knows what this symbol is, leading to the assumption that Clary is not a typical teenage girl.
It is confirmed that Clary isn’t normal when on the way home from a poetry reading with her friend Simon (Robert Sheehan), she notices the symbol she has been drawing on a sign of a nightclub and when Simon is made aware of it, he says that he can’t see a symbol. A guy who entering the club hears Clary mention the symbol and as a result whispers something to the bouncer and lets Clary and Simon in.
Clary ends up on her own when Simon goes to get drinks and it is then she witnesses a murder that when she screams in horror, everyone looks at her confused, indicating that they did not witness the same event as her, clearly showing that Clary is not normal, especially as the murderer looked just as shocked as her that she could see him. A few scenes later when Clary and Simon go for coffee we find out who this mysterious murderer is; a shadow hunter know as Jace (Jamie Campbell Bower), who is a part of a secret cadre of half-angel warriors who are a part of a war against demons that can never to be won, just fought. And the true story of Clary begins.
I loved this film and I urge anyone who likes fantasy to go and see it. I thought the film was perfectly directed by Haald Zwart and thought he was spot on. Music is a very important aspect in storytelling and to get that wrong can completely destroy a scene and in effect the movie, which was not the case in this movie. The soundtrack was perfection, whenever there was music in a scene; it captured the emotion of it effortlessly.
This film is ideal to be seen in the cinema, as the surround sound system engulfs you into the scenes with making you experience the experience that is occurring. For example, there is a scene where Clary hears voices all around her; therefore those voices are played through various speakers in the cinema giving the impression that those voices are being whispered around your own head. This is a very simple and easy way to transport you into the film.
I would love to say this film was perfect (5 out of 5) as it was a fantastic film which was created beautifully and showed that all the cast and crew put 100% into making it, but I have to award it 4 and half stars out of 5 due to some small annoyances; for example in one scene a character could blow a door off its hinges and send another character flying with the door, but then can’t open a door with a chair placed under the handle.
All in all, a fantastic film and a must see.
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