Mortal Instruments, The: City of Bones (12/03/13)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of fantasy violence and action, and some suggestive content.

Starring Lily Collins, Kevin Zegers, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Kevin Durand, Jamie Campbell Bower and Lena Headey

Directed by Harald Zwart (Agent Cody Banks and The Karate Kid)

Watching The Mortal Instruments actually made me wish they were making another Twilight movie.

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 (Lena Headey), Clary must join forces with a group of Shadowhunters, who introduce her to a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld, filled with demons, warlocks, vampires, werewolves and other deadly creatures. Based on the worldwide best-selling book series by Cassandra Clare.

I don’t think anyone will argue with me when I say this is obviously a miserable attempt to kick-start another big-screen fantasy franchise for teenagers. But hopefully this is a one-and-done franchise.

The film has plenty of special effects and extreme violence, fight scenes with weapons like swords, blowtorches and even frying pans. In between the violence there is plenty of melodrama accompanied by an overbearing music score. I mean seriously who cares about a life-or-death battle against evil spirits when there’s teen relationship drama in the mix?

Director Harald Zwart stages some cool action sequences, but fails to inject any kind of meaning into the film; and the performances from the cast of pretty faces are pretty lame.

The hardcore fans of The Mortal Instruments fans may find the movie entertaining, but for me it was a “Coaster.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
This film is on par with the Twilight and Hunger Games movies. There is some suggestive content and a lot of violence in the film including fight sequences and scenes of torture and even death. There are also plenty of creatures in this movie.

The language is on the mild side with 3 S-words, 5 mild obscenities and 2 religious exclamations.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. How would you describe the battle that Clary and her friends fight?


2. What were some of the weapons that they used?

READ Ephesians 6:10-18

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.



3. How is this very real battle that Paul talks about the same as the battle in the movie? How is it different?


4. What can you do this week to prepare for the spiritual battle that is taking place all around us?