The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

In recent past, we have seen films that clearly have a totally 'gothic' look to them, but the films are set in present time. This was, in a sense, a new concept when the "Underworld" franchise came into being. And it's interesting in that, because these films are set in present time, could things that happen in those films really happen? As with the case of "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones", which has franchise written all over it, could this film give some filmgoers that feeling of, could this happen being set in 2013?

Set in contemporary New York City, a seemingly ordinary teenager, Clary Fray (Lily Collins), discovers she is the descendant of a line of Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of young half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons. After the disappearance of her mother, Jocelyn (Lena Headey), Clary must join forces with a group of Shadowhunters including Jace (Jamie Campbell Bower), Luke (Aidan Turner), Alec (Kevin Zegers) and Isabelle (Jemima West), and a human, Simon (Robert Sheehan), who introduce her to a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld, filled with demons, warlocks, vampires, werewolves, and other deadly creatures.

Others to round out the cast are Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Valentine, Jared Harris as Hodge, CCH Pounder as Dorothea, Robert Maillet as Blackwell, Kevin Durand as Pangborn, Godfrey Gao as Magnus Bane, Stephen R. Hart as Brother Jeremiah, Chad Connell as Lambert, and Chris Ratz as Eric.

This was directed with intense realism by Harald Zwart ("Commander Hamilton" '98, "One Night at McCool's" '01, "Agent Cody Banks" '03, "Long Flat Balls" (co-dir.) '06, "Long Flat Balls II" '08, "The Pink Panther 2" '09, "The Karate Kid" '10).He shot it with a dark feel, but it wasn't so much that one couldn't see what was going on as with some films of this genre. It was written by Jessica Postigo Paquette based on the novel by Cassandra Clare. This is based on a series of books, and since it's left opened-ended, assuming the box-office is successful, we can no doubt look forward to another installation.

Most of the main stars are not list 'A' actors, but this is undoubtedly geared to that demographic that is really into this kind of premise. So why pay big bucks to those actors when it is unnecessary? Being part of this particular demographic will give you a leg up on getting into this genre, but even if you're not, you still will have an interesting ride with these characters as they Pop, Pow, and Sock these demons and vampires into oblivion.

Out of 4 Stars: 2.5                           Rated: PG-13                           130mins.