The Maze Runner
Rated: PG-13
Prefer to listen rather than read? Listen Here!
Unlike so many people my age and younger these days, I have yet to buy into the hype of the oh so many Young Adult titles that have made it to the big screen. I’ve never read, or seen, the Twilight Saga. I have no interest (apart from being made to watch the movies by my husband) in The Hunger Games or Divergent series. I guess it all goes back to the plot hole and predictability factor for me. I can’t really get into any of them for a few simple reasons (that I’m sure many of you will disagree with, but here they are anyways.) For the most part, within the first five minutes I can easily predict what will happen in the rest of the movie, as well as guess most of the characters lines…right down to how they’re delivered. Not to mention that, in my opinion, the acting is sub-par at best. And so when The Maze Runner came out in theaters and my husband kept pushing me to see it, I resisted. I mean, why bother right? But as time went on I felt a little bad, since I make him see so many movies he has absolutely no interest in. So for Christmas I got him a copy.
Upon waking up in the Glade, surrounded by a community of boys, Thomas is shocked to find his memories have been erased. He is quickly integrated into their mini society and soon learns that they’re all trapped within a giant maze that changes daily. With the dynamic of their mini utopia fast changing for the worst, the question becomes should they stay where they are, or can they solve the maze and escape before it’s too late?
As I already said, I really didn’t expect much out of this movie, which is why I was so shocked that I liked it! The Maze Runner not only had me guessing from start to finish, (which of course is a good thing), but my husband and I continued to talk about it long after it was over. This was a movie that I was easily able to let myself float away into, without the glaring “potholes” that plot holes create. It was a (just about) 2 hour long thrill ride of suspense, drama, action and science fiction that had me on the edge of my seat. In this case I just wish I’d read the books first!
The only bad thing I have to say about it is that the ending was left wide open. So wide open in fact that they’d better be working on the next 2 movies, because although it was good, it really can’t stand alone. But with two other books to convert into film and pretty darn good results with the first one, I don’t see that as a problem, especially since, according to Fox, The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials will be out sometime this fall.
The Maze Runner is rated PG 13, was directed by Wes Ball and stars Dylan O’Brien, Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Will Poulter. It’s available now on Blu Ray, DVD and digital download.