Movies based from books and novelizations seem to be a growing trend these days, and much of the film adaptations take some liberties and deviate from the source material to present something that's genuinely faithful but fresh for the cinematic experience. The same principle holds true for The Maze Runner - a film based from the book by James Dashner.
As a film that sets the stage for a series of movies based on Dashner's other works, this is one adventure directed by Wes Ball that I wasn't expecting to get into or see, but am pretty glad I did thanks to 20th Century Fox PH. If you need some insight on what to expect, here's the review for reading and contemplation on what this young adult suspense and action vehicle can offer to its audience.
Movie: The Maze Runner
Starring: Dylan O'Brien, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Kaya Scodelario
Release Dates: September 17, 2014 (RP), September 19, 2014 (US)
Directed By: Wes Ball
Somewhat like a cross between Resident Evil (the film series) and The Matrix, The Maze Runner tells the story of Thomas, a young boy who wakes up with total amnesia and gets sent by cargo elevator into a garden area called "The Glade", where a group of boys reside and have built a community following similar experiences one after the other. The Glade is situated in the middle of a huge maze, which inside lies intricate layers and walls that change and shift without any defining pattern. The Maze is also guarded by grotesque mechanical creatures called "Grievers", and no boy who has ventured in the labyrinth has come out alive after night fall.
As Thomas adjusts to life within The Glade, he starts becoming curious, and learns of the mission of the Runners - boys who venture into the maze to memorize and figure a way out. He decides to risk things and become a runner himself, trying to find some way out of their predicament. However he has visions that make him realize he remembers something from before, and everything changes with the arrival of Teresa, a girl who also has no memories but is somehow connected to Thomas. With a note saying she is "the last one ever", Thomas and the community of The Glade must find a way out of the maze or risk being trapped as prisoners forever.
Walking into this movie without expectations or having read the book at all, I can honestly say that The Maze Runner surprisingly entertained me from start to finish. The concept of kids being stuck in one place and figuring a way out of their situation isn't exactly fresh as The Hunger Games echoes a similar predicament, but in this film Thomas and The Glade don't have to kill each other in a battle to the death. Instead, they are kept in a controlled environment, which the other boys have been living in for about three years. It is Thomas' arrival that prompts the kids to work to freedom, and in a way serves as an analogy for change - to embrace it and not living in a constant state of fear and denial. Moving forward to work, strive, and gain freedom is one of the important messages the film conveys, and if someone can strive to make a difference, others will follow by example to make the dream into a reality.
Casting for The Maze Runner was pretty good, and Teen Wolf star Dylan O'Brien makes a pretty good lead as Thomas - the kid with a curious nature and a past that ties into the maze and The Glade as a whole. He's the kid you can root for, but also think that he's crazy to do all of these things to himself. Fortunately it earns him the respect of most of the other boys, and it proves to be his strength throughout the film. Game Of Thrones alum and star Thomas Brodie-Sangster has second tier remarks for his role as Newt in the film. As one of the leading presences in The Glade, it is he who guides and gives Thomas a second voice in his role in changing the community of The Glade once they decide to work out a way to get out of the maze. Kaya Scodelario plays Teresa, the girl who's presence instigates the revolution Thomas leads to get out of their "prison". The cast is pretty tight, and they won't disappoint in any way all the way until the credits roll.
So can I recommend The Maze Runner? Definitly so. As a "Greenie" myself like Thomas was in the beginning of the film, I came out of the film a satisfied and pretty entertained movie goer, and this will certainly impress those looking for something that's filled with heart stopping moments and young adult-oriented storytelling. It's certainly about themes of change and making a difference, so there's also something to gain from the movie experience altogether. Again, it's not something I haven't seen before, but it sure entertains with its own complexities and action nevertheless.
Rating - 4/5
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