Blu-ray, DVD: The Mortal Instruments City of Bones

Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: Dec. 3, 2013
Price: DVD $30.99, Blu-ray/DVD Combo $40.99
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment


The Mortal Instruments: City of BonesThe Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is the first movie based on the best-selling series of novels by Cassandra Clare.

Aimed at the Twilight young-adult market, the fantasy film didn’t quite score as highly as the vampire movie, grossing only $31 million, compared to $193 million for the original Twilight. That could be because critics panned The Mortal Instruments (to the tune of 12% approval, according to Rotten Tomatoes), although fans liked it much more (66%).

Lily Collins (Mirror Mirror) stars in the fantasy film as Clary, a normal teenager who discovers she’s the descendant of a line of Shadowhunters, half-angel warriors trying to save the world from demons. When her mother (Lean Headey, The Purge) disappears, Clary joins forces with a group of Shadowhunters, who introduce her to a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld, filled with demons, warlocks, werewolves and, yes, vampires.

PG-13-rated The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones also stars Jamie Campbell Bower (Anonymous), Kevin Zegers (The Entitled), Kevin Durand (Real Steel) and Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Velvet Goldmine).

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Blu-ray boxThe DVD and Blu-ray contain these special features:

  • “Bringing Them to Life” with the filmmakers and cast discussing the characters
  • “Descendants of the Cup” about the film’s stunts and the cast changing into the Shadowhunters
  • music video for “Almost is Never Enough”
  • deleted scenes
  • digital copy via UltraViolet.

The Blu-ray adds these exclusive extras:

  • Interactive Lineage Tracker, about the characters in the world
  • “Deadly Attraction” with Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower talking about their roles
  • “Entering the Shadow World” about how the filmmakers created the movie’s creatures
  • “Into the Shadows: From Book to Screen” about the film’s adaptation.
Buy or Rent The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
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About S. Clark

Sam Clark is the former Managing Editor/Online Editor of Video Business magazine. With 19 years experience in journalism, 12 in the home entertainment industry, Sam has been hooked on movies on since she saw E.T. then stared into the sky waiting to meet her own friendly alien. Thanks to her husband’s shared love of movies, Sam reviews Blu-ray discs in a true home theater, with a 118-inch screen, projector and cushy recliners with cup holders.