Synopsis
From the novel by James Dashner. It’s about Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) who is transported via an underground cage to a grassy area surrounded by the high concrete walls of a maze, patrolled by electro spiders. Thomas joins a group of teens led by Gally (Will Poulter) who prefers to stay enclosed by the maze, but Thomas wants to escape. A young woman (Kaya Scodelario) joins them, and there are disputes, but eventually Thomas and his pals battle the maze. Will they learn the secret of the world outside the maze?
Review
This is yet another dystopian fantasy. No matter when it was written, it looks like an imitation of The Hunger Games and it appeals to the teen market. These are all up and coming stars. I’m surprized that Emma Watson wasn’t involved. They have the right catwalk faces and physiques like work-outs for outdoors leadership skills. If this looks like a teen Lord of the Flies, then it is, with Thomas playing the Ralph role and Gally playing Jack. It’s also a clunking reminder of the Village, so who is the enemy – out there in the maze or within themselves? There is the usual type of music which climaxes in the blue light of fake night time. It’s like an amateur film maker catching the meritocratic dog fight for physical strength and moral rectitude. Most of the characters talk in obligatory 21st century Hollywoodese. They can be cloned from Lost or any other box set of the past few years. Dramatic poses are of course enhanced by fashion model clothes (especially when dirty) and chic teen psychobabble. You don’t have to wait long for a dramatic turning point to sort out the heroes from the hangers-on among these failed audition contenders for the next Harry Potter. These actors seem to be sizing themselves up for a lucrative UN career, ambassadors for African Aid surrounded by grateful Africans. The final scene sets us up for the next of what is undoubtedly a trilogy. I’ll stick with Hunger Games for all its faults. Maze Runner looks good, but is otherwise terrible, even The Giver and Divergence have the edge over this.
jkinsleyfilm 