I didn't know anything about this movie. My wife and daughter were out shopping Saturday, and they called me at 7 to say, "Hey, can you be at the theater by 7:30? We're going to see a movie and want you to come join us." So, I put the dogs away, washed the paint off my arms, and drove like hell - to the wrong theater! But I did get to the other one while the coming attractions were still playing.
As I said, I didn't know anything about this movie, and I would not have picked it to go to. But as the movie started, I found myself quite enjoying it! The story, which obviously juvenile, was paced well and the mystery of who (and what) Clary is was well done.
And, let me just say this - Lily Collins was radiant in this movie. And Lena Headey, as always, is a joy to watch in any movie although they don't give her much to do in this.
So, the first act of the movie, as Clary is figure out who and what she is was well done. The second act, was beginning to become more of a CGI fest, but it was still well done. The huge fight scene when they were in the dining hall of the Hotel was done well. I was actually feeling a little tense for the good guys and wondering how they were going to get out of it.
The last act - the huge battle and the appearance of the villain is where the movie really started to drag. It went on too long, it didn't really make a lot of sense at times, and the whole "is he or isn't he" thing just didn't come well.
I actually checked my watch during the battle - always a sure sign that the movie is losing my attention.
But, based on the first two acts and disarmingly way young Ms. Collins carried this film well on her shoulders, I still think it's worth a 7 and should be a fairly solid bit of entertainment for anyone not feeling jaded by the whole Twilight thingy.
Just imagine if Lily Collins had been the star of the Twilight series - I might have watched more than 2 of them!
As I said, I didn't know anything about this movie, and I would not have picked it to go to. But as the movie started, I found myself quite enjoying it! The story, which obviously juvenile, was paced well and the mystery of who (and what) Clary is was well done.
And, let me just say this - Lily Collins was radiant in this movie. And Lena Headey, as always, is a joy to watch in any movie although they don't give her much to do in this.
So, the first act of the movie, as Clary is figure out who and what she is was well done. The second act, was beginning to become more of a CGI fest, but it was still well done. The huge fight scene when they were in the dining hall of the Hotel was done well. I was actually feeling a little tense for the good guys and wondering how they were going to get out of it.
The last act - the huge battle and the appearance of the villain is where the movie really started to drag. It went on too long, it didn't really make a lot of sense at times, and the whole "is he or isn't he" thing just didn't come well.
I actually checked my watch during the battle - always a sure sign that the movie is losing my attention.
But, based on the first two acts and disarmingly way young Ms. Collins carried this film well on her shoulders, I still think it's worth a 7 and should be a fairly solid bit of entertainment for anyone not feeling jaded by the whole Twilight thingy.
Just imagine if Lily Collins had been the star of the Twilight series - I might have watched more than 2 of them!