The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones was released in the UK and US yesterday (21st August). The majority of reviews have been highly critical of the movie, claiming it draws too heavily on typical aspects of the teenager supernatural genre. The film may have been compared with Harry Potter and The Twilight Saga, however it seems unlikely, if the critics are correct, to be as successful as such franchises.

Kevin Zeger
Kevin Zeger at the L.A. premiere of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.

The Mortal Instruments is based on the best-selling series of teen fiction books by Cassandra Clare. The fantasy movie centres on Clary Fray (Lily Collins), who discovers she is descended from a race of warriors. These warriors fight evil in an alternative New York City called 'Downworld'. Collins is supported by such actors as Jamie Campbell Bower (The Twilight Saga); Kevin Zegers (Gossip Girl); Jemima West (The Borgias); and Robert Sheehan (Misfits). They are pitted against Jonathon Rhys Meyers (The Tudors) in the role of Valentine. 

Watch The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Movie Trailer:

Kyle Smith of the New York Post claimed The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, "hopes to be the start of a new franchise for tweens and Twihards". However, Stephanie Merry of the Washington Post believes the film's "cheesiness" will be too much even for the most dedicated "Twihard".

On the other hand, the rare positive comments have claimed the movie is "more than just another watered-down tween franchise wannabe" (Chris Nashawaty of Entertainment Weekly). Others have recognised the typicality of the movie but state that it is "highly watchable garbage" (R. Kurt Osenlund of Slant). 

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is out in US and UK cinemas now. 

Robert Sheehan
Robert Sheehan at the L.A. premiere of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.

Lily Collins
Lily Collins at the L.A. premiere of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.