What The Mortal Instruments Movie Did Wrong

Back when I first started getting into YA again, The Mortal Instruments was one of the first paranormal series that I read. The original trilogy was already out so I binge-read it all in a matter of days and completely fell in love with the world and the characters. Reading about Jace was probably the first time the words "swoonworthy" and "book boyfriend" came to mind and Clary easily became one of my favorite heroines. But when I heard about it being turned into a movie - I was torn (as I'm sure many fans were!). I could see it on the big screen but would they get it right? 

The answer to that question is A HUGE RESOUNDING NO. Here's why (in my very humble opinion):

Jamie Campbell Bower is not Jace. I always pictured Jace as this tall, muscular (but not overly so), hot guy and JCB was none of these things. Not even close. Every time he was on-screen, I kept thinking this boy needed to eat like 10 cheeseburgers and cut his hair. He just didn't exude the confidence I imagined Jace had nor did he deliver his lines with the dry humor and sarcasm needed. In the book Jace's one-liners made me laugh. In the movie, it just made me roll my eyes. 

They changed the story! Even though there is a lot going on in the book, all the information unfolds in a way that makes sense and it doesn't take long to put it all together (ShadowHunters, vampires, werewolves, etc). But even with my knowledge of the series, I kept getting confused throughout the movie. They just added reveals at the most random moments and the changes they made didn't simplify the story one bit. I can't tell you how many times I asked - WHAT IS GOING ON (or said THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN!).

Absolute lack of chemistry. I'm sorry but there was no chemistry whatsoever between JCB and Lily Collins. I don't know if it was just their inability to pull off the dialogue but I wasn't feeling it. The banter (if you can call it that) wasn't cute, their looks weren't heated. When Lily walked out wearing Isabelle's short, tight black dress - JCB's reaction was so blank that it could've been his grandma standing there and he'd have the same expression on his face. Book-Jace did not react that way! And don't even get me started on the greenhouse scene. Don't even. 

Fire the people in charge of costumes. Why the heck is Magnus not wearing pants when we first meet him? (I don't remember that in the book and wasn't his party supposed to be for his cat?). And why does Valentine have braids in his hair and an open leather vest? Why are they all wearing black leather all the time? Is this supposed to make them look tougher? Because it doesn't! Instead they look like they belong in a wannabe motorcycle gang. 

Music scores will not force people to feel things no matter how many times you include them. I swear every somewhat important moment (and not even the important ones) was backed by some cheesy musical score or pop song. You can't force me to get swept up in a moment by blasting music in my ear. Yes, music can definitely enhance a scene if it's done right and perfectly timed. Here it was like - oh Clary is sitting down, let's cue the violins! 

I could probably go on a little longer but I'll stop here. However, so this post isn't completely negative, I will say a couple nice things:

• The actor playing Simon was perfect and totally adorable! (He looked better shirtless than Jace.) 
• I don't think Lily Collins is a bad actress and she looks like Clary to me. I blame the bad dialogue she was given, not her.
• Lena Headley and Lily were believable as a mother and daughter. 
• Jemina West as Isabelle worked! She played her part surprisingly well. 
• ShadowHunters having British accents (very nice touch).

Did you guys watch the movie? What did you think?

And did you spend as much time laughing or yelling at the screen as I did?

(Photo credits: TMI Movie Site | Taylor Kitsch fan site)