The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

There is most certainly an audience for the film "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones": fans of the six (planned) novels about demons, demon fighters, vampires, werewolves, witches and warlocks.

They'll thrill to the endless litany of runes, history and "rules" of this world of shadow hunters descended from an angel that showed up to help crusading knights a thousand years ago.

And if you love exposition and shapely if bland young actors in leather, skinny jeans, knee boots, Goth cocktail dresses and heavy eye makeup, this may be the movie for you.

Lily Collins is Clary, the birthday girl whose mother (Lena Headey) never told her about her heritage, or why she keeps seeing signs and people with great hair who stalk demons.

Clary finds out. She was born into this world. Mop-topped warrior-explainer Jace (Jamie Campbell Bower) has the tedious job of explicating every single thing to her and to the audience. FYI: It's supernatural war and such.

Director Harald Zwart has "Agent Cody Banks" and the recent "Karate Kid" among his credits, which tells you the best that's being hoped for is a "Percy Jackson" level of success.