Movie Monday Week 1: Pandemonium

We are just over a year away from the theatrical release of ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones’ and the hype for the adaptation of the internationally best selling series by Cassandra Clare will only continue to grow as the release draws nearer.

I’ve banded together with other ‘Mortal Instruments’ fansites (TMI Institute, Mundie Moms, TMI Examiner and TMI News en Espanol) for a new weekly feature called Movie Monday.

Each Monday leading up to the August 23, 2013, release of ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones,’ we will take a look at a scene, moment, detail, etc. and give our opinions on how we think it will be interpreted in the big screen adaptation.

What better way to kick off Movie Monday than where it all began in ‘City of Bones?’

Week 1: PANDEMONIUM

Alyssa, TMI Source: You can’t really have Clary’s meeting with the Shadowhunters without the blue-haired demon nor the story for the matter. While I’m sure there will changes–there always are with adaptations–I’m confident that it will play out on the big screen exactly like it does in the book.

But I don’t necessarily think that’s how the movie will begin. I think there might be an introduction with perhaps a flash forward to a shot of Clary standing in Valentine’s lair and a voice over of some kind by Clary as to how she got to this point before the screen goes to black and fades to a sweep of New York City at night and ending outside of Pandemonium on Clary and Simon and the start of the story.

As far as Clary’s meeting with Jace, Alec and Isabelle, I can see it playing out almost exactly as it does in the book, but shortened in time. This is the scene I am most anxious and excited to see. It’s where it all began!

Amber, TMI Institute: When I think of the Pandemonium scene, I believe it is important to play it much like it is in the book. I can see the writers/director doing it with slight alterations. My thought would be that they would start it from the perspective of the blue-haired boy, who we later find out is a demon. They could show him getting into the club by putting a glamour on the bouncer (and everyone else for that matter).

They could show pan shot of the Pandemonium club which would end on Clary and Simon already in there dancing awkwardly. To me, they would stick out from the crowd because of their normal dress and lack of piercings. I think they could have the blue haired boy walk past Clary, which grabs her attention. She might notice that his eyes are too green, that his blade is real, etc. It could be like she believes she is hallucinating.

About that time, they could show the kid passing out the herbal ecstasy. It would give the impression that maybe Clary was hallucinating, which would trick the audience. That would give the director time to show the conversation with Simon and Clary about how she thinks the blue-haired boy is cute and how she continues to follow what he is doing throughout the scene. Simon could ramble in the background while they show Clary staring after him. The blue-haired boy would then be shown passing by Clary on his way to Isabelle, who lures him into the storage room.

From there, I can see the scene playing out as it is in the book because we will want that initial meeting between Jace and Clary to be authentic.

Katie, Mundie Moms: I think the Pandemonium is a crucial scene for this series, and I’d be really shocked if they cut that scene out of the movie. I think this scene is important for a few reasons. One, it’s the scene were we see that Clary has an ability unlike other humans in the fact she sees the blue haired boy aka the demon (before meeting the Shadowhunters), two this is the scene where Clary gets a glimpse into this whole other world she didn’t even know existed, and three and the most important part of the entire scene is her unofficial introduction to Jace, Alec and Izzy. Like all movie adaptations, I understand this scene may not be exactly what the scene is like in the book when it’s featured on the big screen, but I think we’ll get the just of what happens in that scene and see the crucial moments come to life. I can’t wait to see Clary and Jace’s first meeting!

Natalie, TMI Examiner: I am so excited about the Pandemonium scene because I’ve always felt that it sets the tone for the movie and introduces us to the idea that something is very different about this world. I believe the film makers can have a lot of fun with the edgy feel of the scene probably even narrowing in on the blue-haired boy before introducing us to Clary and Simon. I’ve always envisioned a sharp focus on him and then hearing Simon talking to a distracted Clary before we actually see them. This is such an important scene because it leads to Clary and Jace’s first meeting and Clary’s entire world and belief system is questioned. Their meeting must be perfect and emit chemistry from both Jamie and Lily. Clare has spoken before of their amazing chemistry and I respect both of their talents so I’m very encouraged that this will play out perfectly to please the fandom. I’ve also hoped that the Pandemonium scene could offer a brief opportunity for Clare to cameo. This is such a special and exciting time for her and I’d love to see a glimpse of her in the scene. The club is a chaotic atmosphere with a lot going on so it could be such a cameo that if you blink, you’d miss her.

I do not see the Pandemonium scene as being something we would see in a trailer so I bet we will have to wait a while to see how it will translate to screen.

Tita, TMI News en Espanol: I do think that the movie will begin exactly like the book does. This first scene show us what will drive Clary directly to the Shadowhunters, so I my guess is that will look like the book.

I also think that is possible that there’s a small introduction to the movie before that scene, something like a few words, narrated by Clary, about what she’s about to find out or a few words about that there’s a magic world just in front of our eyes.

Check back next Monday for the next edition of Movie Monday.