Movie Review: MAZE RUNNER

The Maze Runner is a 2014 American science fiction action thriller film directed by Wes Ball, based on James Dashner's 2009 book of the same name. The film is the first installment in The Maze Runner film series and was produced by Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, and Lee Stollman with a screenplay by Noah Oppenheim, Grant Pierce Myers and T.S. Nowlin. The film stars Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario,Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee and Will Poulter.

The story follows sixteen-year-old Thomas, portrayed by O'Brien, who awakens in a rusty elevator with no memory of who he is, only to learn he's been delivered to the middle of an intricate maze, along with a slew of other boys, who have been trying to find their way out of the ever-changing labyrinth — all while establishing a functioning society in what they call The Glade. Principal photography began in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on May 13, 2013 and officially concluded on July 12, 2013.

The Maze Runner was released on September 19, 2014 in the United States by 20th Century Fox. The film received mainly positive critical reviews, with praise aimed at the cast's performances as well as the film's intriguing premise and refreshingly dark tone. The film was also a commercial success, as it topped the box-office during its opening weekend with a $32.5 million debut, making it the sixth-highest grossing debut in September. A sequel, The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials, is set be released on September 18, 2015 in the United States.

                                                                                                                                 -wikipedia.org

Movie Review:

The beauty of reviewing this film is that I haven't read the book.  This was a plain movie enjoyment without the book's point of view.

The actors were good in terms of their role portrayals.  Since the  film called for males to be in their teens, the actors were good to reflect that in terms of their acting and style of delivering dialogues.  My only concern is this character who has been in The Glade for a time by the name of Chuck.  He is still plump!  Ok, he has been in the glade for a month but still, he should have lost some weight with all the clean-up he needs to do on a daily basis (1).

 What happened to the beast that was in a cage that Thomas saw while he was in the metal lift? (2)

The Grievers are another thing.  It is a bio-engineered creature.  It is like a mite with a mechanical tail. It was created well for my taste.  A little peculiar in looks but that is something to be expected with a bio-engineered creature.

Being a Mass Communication graduate, there is always a reason as to why one has to make use of a particular shot or angle.  It could be simply for symbolism or to show the point of view of a character but in this film, I don't see the value of having a shot where the lights were coming from behind a person since the scenario can be taken in a different angle (3).  It could be simply to make the viewers see what the prime character is seeing but like what I have mentioned, it could be done in another angle.

I also don't understand as to why for 3 years, they really haven't mapped out the outer rim of the maze.  They were able to mapped-out part of it but beyond the markings no more.  They know that it opens for a time and could have explored it further but it took that part of a Griever to guide them to that part (4).  It is either they were afraid to go further because of the time element but based on the film, they could have gone further with enough time to go back. If you will see the image provided, you would notice that it is incomplete.

What happened to the dead bodies when the Grievers attacked the Glade (5)? There were no burial grounds made or even funeral pyres for that matter.

Despite the things that I have pointed out above, the storyline was developed well that you get to have the feeling that there is more to come, which I like.  Like what I said, I haven't read the book but this film (similar to Divergent) gives you that desire to wait for the next part and see how things develop.  The pacing set of by the film is good that it keeps you looking forward as to what is to happen. Humor was added into it through the way the dialogues were delivered.

What is good with this film are the values that were presented through out the story.  Loyalty, trust, courage and hope.  Values that are either presented differently in some films but was shown clearly (for me) in the film.  Would I recommend this film?  YES!  It is one film series to look out for and watch.