MOVIE REVIEW: City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare

Attribution

 

So I went to see The Mortal Instruments Movie yesterday and I thought I'd share my thoughts with you. I PROMISE NO SPOILERS in case you haven't seen it yet. But if you have seen it, let me know what you think!

The Cast -

When I first saw who was cast for this movie, I admit that I was a little disappointed. It's always difficult when you picture characters in your head and the actors chosen to play those characters clash with that image.  But in the end, I, more or less, liked the cast that was chosen. I really liked Lily Collins as Clary. I think she does a decent job acting and fulfills the description of Clary pretty well. Robert Sheehan as Simon was pretty perfect too. He was the right amount of geeky and cute, but maybe just a little taller than I thought he would be. Jamie Campbell Bower as Jace is my biggest hang up. I guess he was better suited for the role than I originally thought, but I am still struggling to see him as Jace. I was attracted to Jace in the book and I am not attracted to the Jace in the movie at all. I think that is my problem. On the other hand, Magnus Bane is way more attractive than I pictured him being, but I am totally ok with that eye candy. Godfrey Gao looks good even with makeup, cat eyes, and eccentric clothing. Isabelle, Alec, Hodge, Jocelyn and Valentine were well depicted also. When you dress them up and put them in the right setting, they really did work.  So aside from Jace, I have to say I am pretty happy with how the cast turned out.

The Setting -

I love seeing what was in my head come to life on the big screen. And I thought this movie did a good job showing the Shadowhunter world. I can't say I know anything about graphics or movie props but I imagine that the demons would be among the most difficult to make look real. That being said, the graphics/props people did a damn fine job. The werewolves weren't shown that much so I can't comment much in that regard. But maybe this was a strategic decision because the wolves were super corny in the Twilight movies. The rest of the setting - the Institute, The Hotel Dumort, Clary's Apartment, Madame Dorothea's, Luke's Shop, Magnus Bane's - were all well done too. The Institute being particularly impressive. AND DON'T FORGET THE CLOTHES AND WEAPONS. I am compelled to change my wardrobe so that I can look that badass. Seriously. I might have to take some martial arts lessons too so I am not a complete fake. Meanwhile, I imagined the angel swords being more impressive looking, but Isabelle's whip/snake lasso thing was pretty freaking cool. 

The Story - 

I saved this for last on purpose. So, the movie did not stay THAT true to the book. In the beginning, it's just a few subtle changes - an omission here or there, a different order of events, a different setting - but the differences get more pronounced as the movie progresses. This is most notable with the ending. It was very different than in the book. Not only is the setting different but what happened in the movie was not what happened in the book. Like at all. And one detail in particular that is pretty pivotal to the next book was changed and I am not sure what the directors are thinking. I guess only time will tell. BUT, it is important to note that I probably would not have noticed all of the differences that I did if I did not see it with my friend who had JUST read the book. I read these books over a year ago and I do not remember all of the specifics. AND, I think the directors still captured the big picture (except for that big change at the end). So, I guess how much these plot changes will bother you depends on how much you remember and how much you like your movies to mirror your books.

Overall Impression - 

So I liked it. No, I didn't love it. It didn't really elicit a strong emotion, either good or bad. But compared to how badly some books are butchered when turned into movies, I can't really complain. I have to keep reminding myself that these movies are geared toward a teen audience. They are not meant to win oscars. And movies are NEVER as good as the books. Overall, the acting was decent, the cheesiness was kept at a minimum and the story was depicted fairly well. So in the end, I have to say I am satisfied with the turnout. It wasn't perfect but it was enjoyable. 

MOVIE: Beautiful Creatures & BOOK: Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

So I saw the movie this past weekend. I dragged my boyfriend along and he had an open mind about the movie(as much as any non-book-reading male can), but 15 minutes into it he was thoroughly confused at everything that happened on the screen and cringed the rest of the way through. So it was hard to have a book vs. movie discussion with him so I figure I would see what others thought of the movie. He did say that not having read the books, he got a bit lost in the movie. I just finished book three in the series (I finished the first book a couple years ago, so it is not fresh in my mind for a super detailed comparison). I liked the casting for the characters and thought the movie wasn't bad but it was not fantastic either. I also went in with very LOW expectations as most books turned to movies do not live up to the book. I can't say I hated the characters/actors (like I disliked Kristin Stewart...there was none of that here) it was more of a plot issue. I thought the setting was well done and I also like the costumes :) Side note though: I pictured Amma a little differently and was wondering where Marian was; she continues to be an important character throughout the books.

So what did you guys think??

Title: Beautiful Chaos (Castor Chronicles #3)
Author: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company
Release Date: October 18, 2011
Pages: 518 Hardcover
Source: Audiobook
Rating:  4 Stars

Summary from Goodreads:
Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What — or who — will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself — forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

***THERE MAY BE SPOILERS ****

The Beginning: It started off a bit slow, but picked up right where book 2 ended. Gatlin is facing the consequences of Lena's claiming; there are locusts, sweltering heat, and all the Castor's powers are out of wack. Lena and Ethan are back together and doing much better than in book 2 which is quite refreshing.  There is no longer really any love triangle, just their cute, powerful love story. 

The Middle: I really enjoyed the story as the plot progressed. I found the fact the Ridley was in public school to be quite entertaining. Kami Gracia and Margaret Stohl do an incredible job of developing the secondary characters.  John Breed now is even a likeable character.  But my favorite sidekick characters have to be Ridley and Link!  The fact that Link is part incubus now makes for a great twist; he is now super popular and buff and Savannah Snow is fanning all over him.  Link is probably one of the reasons this story is a 4 star read for me, his friendship with Ethan is so genuine and now with his new powers he is just goofier than ever.

The End: HMM… without spoiling the book, I would have to say that the ending was definitely interesting. I am curious to see what they are going to do for the fourth book. It did take me for surprise though, I really thought the Crucible was going to be someone else.

Overall, this book was a 4 star read. I enjoyed it much more than book 2 so I am glad I continued on. There is definitely more about the creepy castor world and lots more drama and intensity. The beautifully enchanting world of the Castors and Mortals continues to collide into a dangerous and complicated story.


Audiobook review: The narration is the same as the first two books in the series which is nice since it gives consistency from book to book. But be aware it is  LONG audiobook.  I enjoyed the reader and the voices for the other characters were also well done. Some parts were a bit creepy yet corny (when the Lilium talks). I would also give the narration 4 stars.