The Maze Runner (2014) User Reviews

Intriguing Fantasy Tale

[larrys3 · 7/10 · 28 December 2014]

I can see I am in the minority here, but, to be honest, I found the film to be quite intriguing and exciting. I went into the movie "cold", not having read the novel by James Dashner or knowing very much about the plot. For me, this was the type of film that I knew if I just went with the flow and didn't try and look for all the holes in the story and script that I'd be better off.

The way the film was presented by first time director Wes Ball was top notch, as I felt I was right there in the maze with the main characters. The obvious set-up for a sequel at the end of the movie didn't bother me too much as it seems like every movie of this type "has to" have at least one.

In summary, I found this movie to be very absorbing and kept my interest throughout.

Entertaining Sci Fi Thriller

[tabuno · 7/10 · 16 January 2019]

19 October 2014. The Maze Runner combines The Hunger Games (2012), Cube (1997), with Lord of the Flies (1990) into a rather fascinating mystery thriller for boys. For most of the movie, the consistency of theme and plot holds up well. The tension, the ever presence ominous sounds of the maze offers up a dread that is pervasively creepy. The stereotypical characters aren't usually overplayed and the over the top performances or plot points are mostly held back using instead more empathetic and humanistic portrayals.

The ending seems like a cop out for a hoped for sequel unfortunately. And there a few moments that really do fall back into the stereotypical plot design. The humor however makes their appearances with to great effect though. This is more enjoyable movie than expected. It just misses out though being really innovative and can't quite break out of the mold of most of the other sci fi thrillers.

It wasn't that bad

[serialteg · 8/10 · 29 November 2014]

So I've read a lot of people dissing the movie, and I don't find it that bad. Maybe the book was better. Boy, doesn't that happen enough? The cinematography is good, the effects are good, the clichés are there.

But if I leave it at that, you'd think "why did this guy give it 8/10"? Well, because I was entertained, I was left wondering, it could've been better like 99.9% of all movies ever made, but it also could've been a LOT WORSE.

I studied - majored - in Cinematography, and I can appreciate the hard work that goes into a movie. Even if it's a bad movie. I stand and leave theaters when it goes bad, and I wouldn't have done it here.

See the movie, draw your own conclusions (about the ladder: do you think the grievers wouldn't climb up?), and it looks like a book reading is in order.

Suspension of disbelief? More like suspension of all brain activity

[cuem · 9 March 2015]

**** Major spoilers of the ending and plot of the next movie as well!!! ****

A meeting somewhere safe in a post-apocalypse world

Leader: We need a cure for this disease. We need it now! It's gotten out of control.

Project manager: I have an idea. Let's build a maze.

L: What for?

PM: To study survivors. We will put them inside the maze and study their brain activities under certain scenarios from a distance.

L: Are you kidding? Why don't we study it in a lab, where we have superior equipment?

PM: Right. Maybe we can read their brain activities with micro-transmitter implants. They can do voodoo magic I don't have to explain.

L: But why should we severely limit our technology? Well... fine. What kind of a maze?

PM: Enormous, at least a couple kilometers wide, with 100 ft high walls. And it will reconfigure itself periodically.

L: Reconfigure? 100ft?

PM: Yes, we will build tons of moving massive stone walls, put gigantic hydraulics, motors and generators. Energy needs and maintenance should be negligible.

L: *sigh* Where shall we build it?

PM: In the middle of desert sir, where the working temperatures are infernal, roads and rails are blocked, and transportation costs are high.

L: Not underground?

PM: Of course not, because we will need a lush forest inside the maze.

L: How will that work?

PM: We will plant some trees and hope it will rain enough to keep the green.

L: And what workforce would build it? We have enough problems with decreasing population already.

PM: We will use as many survivor people as we can to get it done as quickly as possible.

L: Then what? Who will we put in there?

PM: Teenagers.

L: Why? Do they have some significance older people don't have? Why not 20 or 25 years old people?

PM: I'll come back to you on that sir, but I feel like we should put teenagers in there... Each month one at a time.

L: Why one?

PM: Because we will brainwash the rest and study them in a lab first.

L: Why not study them in the lab in the first place?

PM: But sir, then the maze would be unnecessary, wouldn't it?

L: That's circular argumentation! *sigh* Whatever. Then what?

PM: We will open and close the maze every day and release giant, genetically modified spider-scorpion creatures every night to kill any escapees. They'll be injected with the virus.

L: Sacrificing some of the last of survivors of humanity we study and invest lots of time in would be acceptable. And we might ignore the danger of uncontrolled spreading of the virus I guess. So, do we have them creatures in stock?

PM: No sir. We have to develop the technology first and breed them as well.

L: I see. And that's the only way to study these teenagers? What about their hormones? If we put them all in one place they'll populate like rabbits.

PM: See sir? We will put only boys in the maze. There'll be no girls.

L: What?!? Why shall we halve the "guinea pigs" we have?

PM: You haven't heard the best part yet. We'll put the girls in the second maze.

L: What second maze?

PM: We'll build another maze just like this one, just as expensive and elaborate, and put the girls there.

L: And how long will we keep them there?

PM: As long as it takes until they escape. Years, decades if necessary.

L: What if they decide not to escape or those monsters kill them?

PM: Sometimes science needs sacrifices sir. And if they decide to stay, we'll help them escape after a while.

L: Then why do we have to wait for years? What do we do in the meantime?

PM: I'm sure rest of the world can survive the virus in safe, isolated environments until we've finished building the mazes and carried on with the tests.

L: Why don't we study those safe environments and the other survivors?

PM: But sir, a self-reconfiguring maze with teenagers and monsters is much cooler, isn't it?

L: Only in a movie! Tell me what do we do with the escapees?

PM: We'll study their biology with our equipment and develop a vaccine for the virus in our labs sir.

L: Then why don't we invest all our efforts into biological study instead? Whatever. You're not much of a scientist are you?

PM: No sir, I'm just a project manager. I worked as book author before my career switch. Trust me, I know what I'm doing.

...and on and on...

L: Sounds plausible, your idea is our best hope. It's a bulletproof plan. Our governments, economy, transportation and communication are collapsed but I'll ignore our scientists' opinions and give you as much resources as you need. I got you covered. Let's start.

Had they not tried to explain the premise, it would be much much better for the sake of the movie.

This movie when not compared to the book is awesome!

[orbitgyrl208 · 7/10 · 20 September 2014]

This movie when not compared to James Dashners book is wonderful. The cinematography is wonderful, the script is great, and the acting is even better. I admit I might be biased on the acting part my favorite actor stars in this movie. Here are the reasons its not good.

Alby shows Thomas around the first day. The screen writer gave Alby all of Chucks dialog from the book. Theresa doesn't go into a coma. Ben isn't in "the changing" when Thomas comes to the Glade. there is no cliff. the "keeper's meeting" isn't private. Gally doesn't get mad at the meeting and leave the Glade. In the maze Thomas has Minho's help getting Alby up on the maze wall. it rains. Theresa brings the serum with her. Thomas and Theresa don't communicate telepathically. The Griever attack is all wrong. Gally doesn't give himself to the grievers. there are numbers as a password. the scientists are dead when the "Gladers" arrive. Gally doesn't want to leave. Gally kills chuck without being controlled. the maze is not underground. For those reasons I give this a rating of seven. it follows the book but leaves out things that are important. Not all of the things I put are important to the movie. but I felt were.

A tense, entertaining film with enough thrills and drama to cover up its narrative inadequacies.

[shawneofthedead · 7/10 · 11 September 2014]

It's rare for a big movie studio to trust the future of a potential blockbuster franchise to a brand-new director. You'd imagine that there would be just too much at stake when it came to translating James Dashner's series of best-selling dystopian novels to the silver screen. But it's easy to see why Wes Ball got the job - with this one film, he graduates from short films to blockbuster movies with flair to spare. Indeed, The Maze Runner is such a cool, confident and thrilling blend of action beats and character work that it's hard to believe Ball has never before commandeered a full- length feature film. It's true that the narrative gets a little away from him by the end, making less sense as more secrets are revealed. But this is more a problem with the source material than Ball's own skills as a director.

Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) finds himself thrust rudely into the world of the Glade: a community of boys who have figured out how to live while encircled by a giant, constantly changing maze, within which dwell giant, boy-eating monsters known only as Grievers. Many of the boys, including benevolent pioneer Alby (Aml Ameen) and champion of the old ways Gally (Will Poulter), are content with just surviving day to day. Thomas winds up unsettling the entire camp with his refusal to follow the rules and determination to ask questions: he wants to explore the Maze with designated runners like Minho (Ki Hong Lee), and figure out a way to get free. Life in the camp gets more complicated when, weeks before the next boy is due to be sent up to the Glade, a girl in the form of Theresa (Kaya Scodelario) arrives instead.

There's a lot of blockbuster potential to be squeezed out of this premise, and Ball does so quite wonderfully. The Maze encircling the Glade is a stonily grey, massive enclosure, and the Grievers - when the boys encounter them in increasingly close quarters - are odd marvels made as much of machine as flesh. Ball cuts scenes of great, heart-stopping tension together masterfully: whether it's Thomas running through walls that are fast closing in on him, or Thomas and Minho trying to outrun a Griever while burdened with an unconscious Alby.

The film even finds some welcome dramatic depth in this strange little community of lost boys in the Glade - Thomas' growing antagonism with Gally is balanced against the mutual respect he and Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) develop for each other, and the brotherly connection that he forges with the adorable Chuck (Blake Cooper). The politics of the situation is fascinating as well: as much as The Maze Runner is about, well, running for your life in a giant maze, it also raises big questions about identity and integrity. Is safety and security worth giving up your right to information and choice?

What works less well is the secret around which the Glade is constructed. As viewers, we aren't given a whole lot of answers about why the Glade and the Maze exists, nor do we get many explanations as to why Thomas is so different and insatiably curious. But the ones we do get - all centred around the mysterious, severe figure of Ava Paige (Patricia Clarkson) in some kind of control centre - oddly render the film and its characters less, rather than more, interesting. It's a strangely deflating experience to have the film's rich ethical dilemmas and intense action sequences give way to an underlying dystopian narrative that isn't really all that compelling.

Nevertheless, The Maze Runner remains quite an accomplishment. It's an assured, impressive debut for Ball, one with enough electric tension and moody drama to intrigue throughout its running time. His young cast is fully capable of carrying their own weight, with Poulter - morphing from comic sidekick in We're The Millers into hateful adversary here - the standout. Its story collapses a little into itself as it hurtles towards its climax, but Ball's work is quite enough to leave viewers excited by the prospect of the inevitable sequel.

Great concept, mediocre execution

[the_real_smile · 7/10 · 29 November 2014]

Wow, I really anticipated on this movie, suspense, action, the unknown, it all sounds very exciting. Now I must say that I have seen some very good movies and series round this theme that may influence my judgment, for example The Cube (1 - 3), Persons Unknown, Saw, etc. all have a person or group of persons who don't know how they get there or how to get away. How is it possible that those movies, some dating from 1997, are so much better then a 2014 movie? And being almost 2 hours long, how come so little happens in those 2 hours? Some reviewers already mentioned the contradictory and illogical elements in this movie, and yes, this does this movie, with such much potential, not much good, it's just annoying to see them not try what is so logic. The movie is entertaining, but leaves you very unsatisfied.

Awesome

[digdog-785-717538 · 8/10 · 11 December 2014]

what can i say. i LOVED this film.

yeah sure, it has a *few* weak points and maybe a plot hole or two. And the acting is barebones, these are kids, not Cyrano De Bergerac or Mephistofele, but boy the film is well done.

I mistakenly googled the film's name before it was over, and disappointed myself to learn that it's just the first of three parts, so it means waiting another 2-3 years for the other two films, but that means also that i have something to look forward to.

Now, i normally like more "profound" films, but for once, i really enjoyed this sci-fi romp and no, it's nothing like Twilight. A couple of the characters (Gally, Chuck) are phoned in, but then again, how would you write this kind of plot without these characters getting thrown in?

So the film is a very pleasant, well paced, well directed, reasonably well acted, decently scored, great .. well, nice CGI, entertaining film that will please just about every audience there is, without being horribly commercial, soppy and cliché.

I haven't had this much fun in a long while - although i gotta say Edge OF Tomorrow was just as good.

My final vote - a very solid 8/10, and I'm wishing for parts 2 and 3 ASAP.

Good, but could easilly be better

[tinovalkki · 6/10 · 22 November 2014]

Although The Maze Runner story isn't one of the brilliants I have seen, it is interesting enough to satisfy my interest. Opening scene is intriguing and wakes your interest to wait to see what to come. Story itself is many times seen in various movies, but citation to such movies as Cube and TV- shows like Lost keeps you interest awake about what to come. Biggest problem is the movie casting. Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) is interesting character enough, but Will Boultier as villain of story is too lame personality. And somehow I don't understand the meaning of Teresa's (Kaya Scolecario) character who seem to pointless for the whole story. Maybe her role for the story grows and clears at the forthcoming movies. Sequel is coming next fall. After all great scenery combined with intensive storytelling is fresh enough to bring this movie a little bit more interesting, than most of those Hollywood's post-apocalyptic serial productions these days. I stay wait sequel with great interest.

The Maze Runner succeeds as the next big franchise with an engaging story, intense action sequences, and a solid cast of actors

[gavin-thelordofthefu-48-460297 · 8/10 · 30 October 2014]

The previews for this movie interested me and after seeing that it was from another book series, I decided to read all of them, particularly the first one. It was gripping and kept me hooked. So, when the film finally came out last month, I was expecting this film to live up to my expectations and to my surprise, it turned out to be an intense and well-acted film. It isn't one of the best book-to-film adaptations like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Hunger Games, but considering that it avoided the tired trend of young-adult romance movies, this is one of the better films of the year.

The story, for the most part, is interesting and kept the spirit and tone of the book intact while keeping some of the minimal changes which were acceptable. It also has some smart dialog and explains the details of how the people are trapped in a maze and their attempts to find a way out very well. The pacing is mostly decent and gives its time to develop not only the main protagonist, but the other characters as well. The music score is pretty good and it fitted the tone of the film perfectly; the direction from Wes Ball (who worked on a CGI animated short named Ruin that inspired the idea of the film) is nice. Also, the CGI visual effects on the Maze and the scenery are beyond fantastic it gives the film a big scale to it despite it's lower budget, but the best part would have to go to the acting. It had some very strong performances and portrayed the characters perfectly.

Dylan O'Brien did a perfect job as Thomas, who develops from a confused teenager with no memory of who he is to a brave leader. The other characters are also good. Alby, the leader of the group of people called the Gladers in the Glade, Newt, the second in command and friend to Thomas, Gally, the arch-nemesis of Thomas, and Teresa all support the film with flawless effort. Mostly Teresa who doesn't come across as a love interest, but instead sharing a connection to Thomas. Then, there's Patricia Clarkson as a scientist who explains how the Gladers were brought to the Maze in the first place because of an experiment she and other scientists tested.

Before I end this review, there are two problems that I do have with this film.

Aside from the nice direction from Wes Ball, the camera angles on the action scenes felt kind of shaky much like the ones from The Hunger Games. Also, the flashbacks in Thomas's mind throughout the film felt poorly placed and could've been handled better. That's all I have to say.

Overall, The Maze Runner isn't one of the best young-adult adaptations, but with an engaging story, intense action sequences, and a solid cast of actors, it succeeds as the next big franchise and due to it's sequel hook, I will anticipate for the sequel, The Scorch Trials, in 2015.

Far superior than rest of post-apocalyptic YA adapts

[ArchonCinemaReviews · 7/10 · 9 December 2014]

The film The Maze Runner is based off the three book series written by author James Dashner.

As post-apocalyptic films adapted from YA novels go, and there have been many, The Maze Runner might be the most successful of the 2014 year.

The film opens on a young teen, seemingly kidnapped against his will and unclear of what he is doing. His body, limp on the floor of a openly woven caged box, rises up to the sun and grass where he promptly meets a crowd of his peers, all male. Talking with them he discovers he is exactly like them, unknowingly in this location, his memory erased with only his name available to him, it is Thomas.

He soon discovers the grassy area's perimeter is completely encapsulated by steeply high concrete walls, beyond which is a maze. The goal is to figure out the maze as it is the only way to freedom.

The Maze Runner uses young up-and-comer actors and actresses rather than the obvious and nepotistic decision. Dylan O'Brien does a superb job as the newbie Thomas and Aml Ameen is especially captivating as the leader of the stranded survivors Alby. The primarily British young actors also do a splendid job of masking their native accents for a neutrally American vocal pattern.

Further, Wes Ball's direction of The Maze Runner has a clear vision as it emulates a vastly PG-er Lord of the Flies vibe. The beauty of the film is its simplicity. Since the children and teens are locked in an experimental cage, there is no need for monotonous information delivery regarding the futuristic world. There's no futuristic dialect, class system, government changes or anything of the type.

Surprisingly Good

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 1 November 2015]

A teenager (Dylan O'Brien) awakes in an underground cargo elevator with amnesia. He arrives at a primitive culture called The Glade with teenagers and boys, surrounded by huge walls, and he is welcomed by the leader Alby (Aml Ameen) that explains that his memory will return in a couple of days. Alby tells that all of them have passed by the same process and now they survive working in their own agriculture plus the supplies provided by the elevator once a month. Further, a new boy is always brought in the elevator. The teenager sees a breach on the wall and Alby explains that only runners succeed in crossing trying to find a means of escape since there is a maze around the walls and the dangerous Grievers that hunt them down. When Alby is stung by a Griver, he brings him back to the community. He is bullied by the strong Gally (Will Poulter) and they fight. He hits his head on the floor and recalls his name, Thomas. Soon Thomas becomes a runner with his partner Minho (Ki Hong Lee) and they explore the maze together and find a possible way out. Meanwhile a girl called Teresa (Kaya Scodelario) arrives in the elevator with the note "she is the last one ever" and two syringes; further she knows him. Thomas decides to use one syringe in Alby and he recovers. However that night the breach on the wall is not closed and The Grivers invade The Glade killing the boys. Will Thomas and his friends survive? Will they find a way out from The Glade? Who is keeping them in that place?

"Maze Runner" is a surprisingly good film, with mystery, action and sci-fi with wonderful special effects. The plot has many surprises and the young cast has great performance. Dylan O'Brien and the British- Brazilian Kaya Scodelario are excellent and show a perfect chemistry. The twists in the end are totally unexpected. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Maze Runner: Correr ou Morrer" ("Maze Runner: Run or Die")

Cube for kids

[BA_Harrison · 6/10 · 3 April 2015]

My immediate thought while watching The Maze Runner was just how close the whole premise was to Vincent Natali's sci-fi horror Cube (1997), both films featuring a group of people who wake to find themselves in a strange environment with no memory of how they got there. The big difference is that, where Cube was a brilliantly executed low-budget thriller with nail-biting tension and a thought provoking ambiguous climax, The Maze Runner is a mega-budget blockbuster that, for much of its running time, moves like molasses, and which ends leaving questions that we know will be answered, just so long as we shell out more cash to see the next couple of instalments.

Obviously, at 47 I'm not exactly in the intended demographic for this film, but I do feel that this one missed the opportunity to be a hugely entertaining adventure for all ages. When the characters are in the maze, running for their lives from the grievers (metallic insectoid monsters), or dodging the changing architecture, the film is actually very enjoyable, but far too much time is spent in the relative safety of 'the glade', the idyllic green area at the centre of the maze where the boys first wake up. With my son currently reading the series of books, it's almost certain that I'll have to watch the sequels; I just hope that they make it a little more exciting next time around (and don't cut the film to reduce the UK rating to a 12 certificate. Grrrrrr!).

5.5/10, rounded up to 6 for IMDb.

Don't Judge A Book By Its Movie

[georgiewinchester67 · 5/10 · 21 March 2015]

Having read "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner, I can say that this movie heavily disappointed me. The storyline was barely stuck to at all, and so many important details were altered, and I don't doubt that they are going to have huge consequences for them in making "The Scorch Trials" and so on.

But please do not let this movie keep you from reading the book. The book explained so much more that needed to be explained than the movie did. They were so different it's not even funny. So please don't judge this book by its movie.

I cant even begin to point out how much of this was wrong--no telepathy between Thomas and Teresa, no real emotional attachments between Thomas & Teresa and Thomas & Chuck, the Grievers were portrayed completely wrong, as well as the Griever hole; they never saw the Maze from the air, the Maze was square not round, and the Maze was enclosed in a dome with artificial weather (no rain) and was definitely not in the Scorch. I could go on, but you get my point.

Again, please do not judge the book by its movie. There's so much more explaining that happens in the book and not in the movie, so that it actually makes sense.

Formulaic Cheesefest

[a1_andy_11 · 19 September 2014]

The trailer got me into the cinema and it wasn't even at the halfway point that I realized I'd made a mistake.

The premise is interesting. The outline seemed reminiscent of the dark and clever Cube. Unfortunately this film is squarely aimed at the younger, hunger games crowd.

Pacing is terrible. There's endless exposition and pointless dialog throughout. The characters are cookie cutter predictable. I feel like we've had variations on this story 1000 times. Instead of using a really interesting premise, the film went exactly where you'd expect. Right down to spelling out the sequel for us in the final act.

Uninspired garbage. It's the kind of film Christopher Nolan could turn into a piece of art. It's a pity the writers and director turned this film into derivative mediocrity.

Wicked is good

[nogodnomasters · 6/10 · 21 March 2018]

A boy named Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) finds himself in an all boy Lord of the Flies type of camp. They are surrounded by a huge wall that opens into a maze. Two runners, run the maze by day and must leave by night or else the "Grievers", a giant spider like creature will hunt them. Thomas is not satisfied with the status quo and makes waves. Eventually a girl (Kaya Scodelario) shows up.

If you are a teen or tween and like all those kids save the world offerings, this one falls in line. The film is done well enough to hold your interest as the Maze creates a mystery for our human lab rats. The ending tells you why it was done, which still didn't make any sense...and why all guys, or why only one girl? It leads to a sequel. The acting was bland. The dialogue needed zip and Gally (Will Poulter) was a boring antagonist. Good enough for the kids who won't know the difference.

Parental Guide: No f-bombs, sex, or nudity.

Am I getting older or what?

[Sleepin_Dragon · 6/10 · 11 September 2015]

OK, so dude (Thomas) wakes up in a box, he becomes part of a community of other young guys, surrounded by walls. Nobody is allowed to leave, or cross the walls. One slip up from someone let's him know that they are in a maze, wild roaring is heard from beyond the walls. There are 'Maze runners' within the community that have spent three years trying to find a way out. Thomas has disturbing flashbacks, some kind of medical procedure. He gets trapped in the maze and begins to discover what's going on.

I'm assuming that writer Noah Openheim was a bit of a fan of Lost, it feels a little like it, crossed with Lord of the Flies. It's quite an interesting concept I guess, it just doesn't feel very original or extraordinary. There is one serious amount of running around.

A couple of jumps I suppose, not scary in the least, but there is a bit of action. The grievers are quite an interesting creation, like Spidery Aliens i guess.

The arrival of Teresa was quite horrendous (bit of a stretch from Skins!!) Her accent did veer from Amercianish to English. I find these types of film quite formulaic, there's the guy he doesn't get on with, there's the death of the guy he'll replace, there's the annoying kid, there's the brit (with the overly English accent!) let's have someone from Hull for a change!!

I quite liked the ending, it was an interesting conclusion, obviously there will be a few of these, but the finale has left me wanting to see the next one.

I've read some reviews that have utterly savaged this film, it's not that bad, it's far from a great movie, but it's worth a look. 6/10

Explosive Start Devolves into a So-So Final Conflict! Still, Much Better than Most if the Recent YA Releases!

[prospectus_capricornium · 7/10 · 20 September 2014]

'The Maze Runner' marks its run by setting its path ablaze in an explosive heart throbbing start. Right away, it builds its seemingly intriguing and smart storyline with a solid opening sequence, throwing us into immediate action and suspense as the first scene depicts the amnesiac teenager, Thomas (Dylan O'Brien), struggling to find his way out of a rattling lift, ascending through a darkness-filled elevator shaft. Emerging to the surface, he finds himself surrounded with multi-ethnic boys who seem not surprised by his arrival. He is immediately welcomed to a commune of teenagers who have been struggling to find their exit from the world they've been mysteriously thrown into--The Glade, a forest dominated settlement surrounded by thick concrete walls whose only gate opens to an intricate and ever-changing maze, one the boys suspect to end up to their only way out of that prison-like expanse.

Knowing only his name, curious Thomas joins the league of runners who run into the "griever"-infested maze every morning, to unfold its secrets. His courage is convincing enough to earn him equally-earnest companions to run with him side by side, in his quest to discover the passage out of the Glade. That courage itself, puts growing suspicion to the tough bullying elder, Gally (Will Poulter), whom Thomas immediately finds to be his inevitable and insecure rival. Adding to the tension, is the arrival of the first and only girl in the group, Theresa (Kaya Scodelario), bearing a note that tells she's the last one.

There are many obvious elements that keep 'The Maze Runner' within the confines of the Young-Adult Adaptation genre: it happens in a post-apocalyptic era, young teenagers appear to be the last hope of a controlling dystopian society, and at its center is a young protagonist who would go through all lengths to escape his brutal fate. It is interesting to note though some attempts to set itself apart from the craze. Most notably, it doesn't have sexually-intuitive characters as it appears to be more focused on the action and adventures of the hero. The mood is also set in a darker tone, adding more excitement and suspense to its already intriguing premise. However, it's also not easy to shrug off some flaws in the film, flaws that could have been avoided if first time director, Wes Ball, had put equal attention to both the film's visuals and script. While it boasts stunning visuals, the movie's overall output is weighed down by some nonsensical clichés, bland dialogues and tiring one-liners, some not fully developed and utilized characters (ex.Theresa) and misplaced highlights, all these pushing the story out of its track. It feels as if it hasn't maintained, much less taken off, from the level of excitement and suspense it achieved in the first half. Towards the end, it loses grip of its the initial thrill, barely bringing back the intensity with a uninteresting final conflict. In the end it tries to save itself by hinting a promise of an inevitable sequel, one, I can say, it utterly deserves.

The Maze Runner - Review

[CharlieGreenCG · 8/10 · 11 September 2014]

Based on the best-selling YA novel, The Maze Runner is the newest, and one of largest adaptions to arrive in cinemas yet. Comparable to The Hunger Games and Twilight, it is in fairly good chances to be the next big franchise. Here is what we thought of it; Setting the tone immediately, lead star Dylan O'Brien awakens suddenly in a very dark and eerie lift travelling from deep below the ground, it becomes apparent that he now knows just as much as we do. The fear is visual and quite real – and just like a young child on our first day of school we are pushed into a new, confusing experience for the next two hours. Arriving atop the lift and unable to remember anything other than his name, Thomas. He is told by a group of teenage boys that he is in a field in the centre of a maze, called the 'Glade', where they all live. Having attempted to find a way out many times, all they know is that the maze is open during the day-time, and closed at night where it periodically changes and is protected by fearsome creatures called 'grievers'. Anyone in there at that time has never returned. Much like an episode of Lost meeting The Lord of the Flies meeting Labyrinth, we understand narrative at the same time as Thomas, who is eventually told that three years ago a young teenage boy first arrived at the glade, and each month since one more arrives in the lift with certain supplies to survive. Unknowing of why and unable to escape they have become helplessly trapped there since. Similarly to The Lord of the Flies, the group of boys, all probably aged 10-20 have creating a living-area, created rules, swearwords and the imperative code to 'never go beyond those walls' - but as Thomas arrives at the glade all seems to change for the worse, and many of the other 'Gladers' take note. Admittedly we had not read the book until after we had saw the film, but from the very first paragraph we noted its book-to-screen accuracy. Fans of the book will be more than satisfied with the minimal changes, and any made are for the better. The film, upheld by a ninety-nine percent teen cast, feels news and many of the actors are in roles unseen before. Dylan O'Brien, From TV's Teen-Wolf, provides an exceptional lead role as Thomas and carries the film in both story and emotional trawls. Although new to the setting and with the films entirety taking place over just a few days, he comfortably fits in, although ruffling many traditions too. At one point it is said 'I don't know if he is brave or stupid, but we need more of him'. Co-staring alongside Dylan O'Brien are equally exceptional performances by; Will Poulter, in a dark tough-guy role, (and absolutely nothing like his recent role as Kenny in We're The Millar's); Thomas Brodie-Sangster stars as a fellow Glader; and Kaya Scodelario in a surprise turn-up as the first female at the Glade - but also 'the last one ever' to arrive. Although the narrative between them is conflicting at times, the chemistry is smooth as if friends both on-and-off the screen. Notably, we can confirm that the characters live-up the book creations and are almost perfectly cast. Evidentially former director/writer/editor/effects maestro, Wes Ball uses skills from his previous work on this film and it shows and flows evenly. Take note future producers, this is how to successfully make a YA adaption, which surprisingly, is just as impressive as the book. Yet unfortunately leaves us with far more questions than answers by the end. Based on the trilogy by James Dashner expect more answers to follow in sequel movies in the soon to be massive franchise. Or, you know … you can read the books before hand? Ultimately, you do not have to be a fan of the books, or even a YA to enjoy the film it, it has something for almost everyone. The Maze Runner arrives in US cinemas 19th September, and UK cinemas on 10th October. Be sure to check back soon and read our exclusive interview with director Wes Ball, and leading cast; Dylan O'Brien, Will Poulter and Thomas Brodie-Sangster. Brace yourselves Maze Runner fans!

Is It Greeny on the Other Side

[ThomasDrufke · 7/10 · 13 September 2015]

For a film that is budgeted at merely 34 million dollars, this film visually looks really good. For comparison, Fantastic Four had a budget of 120 million and the effects and so called 'set pieces' were awful. This is one of the biggest problems with Hollywood, but that's a discussion for another day. The Maze Runner is actually a surprisingly entertaining movie. For an age in which the medium is flooded with young adult novels and movies, the film feels fresh and isn't overwhelmed by clichés like so many others are.

It's led by a relatively unknown cast. Dylan O'Brien, from Teen Wolf fame, is thrown into a maze structure along with a few dozen other young men who soon find there is more to the maze than they were led to believe. Let me be the first to say I think O'Brien has some chops and definitely has a future in this business. The role doesn't require a ton of range, but I think he proved he can lead a huge action film, and not many actors can say that. The writing itself I thought could have been a little smarter and more mature. Will Poulter, who played a much different character in We're The Millers, was solid in the role that was given to him. But the writing had him doing some really stupid things and was full of forced dialogue I felt.

With that being said, the mythology behind the story is pretty interesting. And they made the film into a more traditional monster film than I'm sure the book originally called for, but it really works. The horror element to the film was by far the most intriguing, and had the biggest payoff. The 'Greavers' also proved to be pretty terrifying, something I didn't think I would say about a film with a bunch of teenagers. So I really only watched this because I'm probably going to see the sequel this weekend, and i ended up enjoying the movie. Plus, having Littlefinger as the next villain gets me pretty excited.

+Monster flick

+Surprisingly well acted

+Suspensful

-Some stupid dialogue

7.2/10

Entertaining

[851222 · 9/10 · 3 December 2014]

Greetings from Lithuania.

"The Maze Runner" (2014) is very well paced, directed and crafted motion picture. It's a very compelling sci-fi, which tells very interesting and involving story. Although the main structure of "The Maze Runner" will probably look familiar if you have seen more then 100 movies in your life, it's still expertly paced and done so you will be glued to your screen for the whole ride.

Overall, "The Maze Runner" is not to be missed one if you like sci-fi movies, which are good crafted and tells interesting stories. It's not revolutionary good, but it does a very good job for a one evening viewing. I will look forward for sequels.

Where is the logic?

[claircolella · 6/10 · 13 July 2016]

I found the plot interesting , but there were too many holes. I was yelling half of the movie because a lot of things didn't make sense or were left without explanation. Why don't bring better weapons in the maze? They had machetes and fire in the glade, why would they go fighting monsters with sticks and knives? Why no one tried to climb the wall? They've been there for three years, why not built catapults or traps? It's not like they have better to do anyway.

The characters were too predictable and they did random things, especially Gally.

I liked the action scenes and the premise, but I'm pretending that the last fifteen minutes didn't happened. I cringed so much. Who would trap teenagers in a maze to study them? and the Sun thing, really?

I laughed a lot, but who do movies shouldn't underestimate people's brain.

Ps.English is not my native language, but I tried my best. I didn't read the books, but I'm sure that they are better.

Remember it's only a movie.....it's not that bad.

[RogerCampbell · 10/10 · 31 December 2014]

I actually liked this movie. As I watched this movie I was somewhat reminded of The Lord of the Flies, but with a lot of science fiction thrown in there. Yes, this movie has flaws, but what movie doesn't? Is it believable? No, but so what. Is Star Wars, The Avengers, Batman, Captain America, and The Hunger Games believable? No. I have read a lot of reviews on here that pan this movie, but that's just it...it is only a movie. Just sit back and let yourself enjoy the fantasy. And if it was really that bad why would they be making a sequel? It must have done well at the box office. I bought the DVD for my son, and I am sure that he will enjoy it more than I did.

The good performance of some actors, special effects and the mystery of the environment in which they found themselves is enough to keep the audience interested.

[pedjoane · 7/10 · 10 December 2014]

Not bad!

The good performance of some actors, special effects and the mystery of the environment in which they found themselves is enough to keep the audience interested. It also has a good direction that didn't put the typical teenage romance, that can be so tiring.

However, in my opinion, "The Maze Runner" is unable to get it to be thrilling.The film comes to an end without knowing the answer to several questions in order to make room for the second film.

So I will be waiting for a new episode and news surprises from Wes Ball and T.S. Nowlin in "Scorch Trials" :)

Cmoon Man!

[sie_aris · 1/10 · 29 September 2014]

My English is so bad, I don't speak English, but i'm trying hard to write this review! so you knew my disappointment

Don't waste your time and money watching this. I keep on cursing during the movie.

They been there for 3 years, why not build a ladder, so when the runner late coming, they can climb back to the glade. The wall is still reachable, they have plenty of trees, knifes, axe, rope etc.. Even kids will build a ladder.. even you can make a HOLE on the wall very easy!! its shown when Galby make people name on wall very easy.

Newt said, "trust me. we have tried everything" while gardening.

You put a group of young man with no supervision and they they will become a farmer??? OMG this is insulting. No violence? c'mon...

After 3 years they send Thomas to the glade. why? never explain clearly.. because all the guys were doing nothing but gardening? Even Thomas had to sting his self and got cured so he can remember things, but when he remember things, so what ? it doesn't solve anything nor have any connection to any plot. He already found the way out before.

They have build a complete miniature of the maze while the maze always sifting. And why the... Alby is going with Minho on checking the maze? the story never explain why..

If the sting bring people back memories, why should cast Ben when he got sting? Just keep him in the hole, ask things to him and let him died. while when Alby go sting. they keep it!!! why people whyyyy????? Even Minho risk their live to carry and bring Alby back to glade, and put Thomas life in danger because he think Alby is wounded or something. And after they all locked up Minho said to Thomas.. "congrats, you just kill your self, Alby got sting" what the..... Minho knew Alby got sting, stinged people should be abandon inside the maze right? just leave him!! he is the leader of the runner he should knew more!

They all good looking, well hair cut and fashion group of man in the middle of nowhere.

If you already knew the schedule of the maze to shift, have the maps, you don't have to be a runner, you can just walk. But then again there is a monster in the maze, why are you keep on coming back with just small knife?

And when a girls show at least some guys should have a joke saying something about it. I was kind of expecting it. Especially when you are a group of young men that lived in the jungle for 3 years!

I just don't understand the story of this movie.. to put all the people in to the maze surrounded by monster to study their brain? cmooooonnnnn!! I would just make a survival contest rather that build a super complex million dollar maze with AI droid monster just to see people survive. That is insulting the future man!

No bodies after the slay? OK now the monster eat people, while in the first part it only sting.

Runner sign off because Alby got stinged? while actually there has been a lot of people died before Alby.

Thomas and Minho suddenly have a long rope from the woods and its already hooked up at the top to drag Alby body to the top.

The monster fight was horrible.. you fighting a gigantic robotic monster with a stick??

They gave 2 cure serum to the girl what for? that's not studying people mind. Just like giving an answer on your examp.

They live among a monster they should have create a defense system like a weapon or something. I would build a catapult, Arrows, Traps. I'm expecting to see hardcore life in that glade.

Alby said the 3 rules, "Work hard, never hurt anybody, and never go trough that big wall.." I mean you locked in jungle with a giant big DOOR open? any sane people want to know. Why cant you say, it's a freakin sifting maze and has big scary spider monster inside!

THERE IS SO MUCH WRONG in this movie.. I can FEEL that the glade citizen is a peaceful society, peaceful life, enjoy farming, gardening.. While actually they shouldn't. you live in a box among monster!! its really beyond expectation!

At the end.. the gun from the dead body. Which I should take it!!! to protect my self and friends, not kick it! so Galby, that show from nowhere can have it!

__________ Final word. The end of the movie really make me want to pour my pop corn to someone face! And the exit door was a joke!!

___________________ Movie effect on me. I really can't sleep thinking.. why would someone make such a horrible insulting people intelligent movie like that, I rather watch spongebob guys. really!

___________ Suggestion. I think its better if the creator was a maniac and love to see people suffer! and when they finally got out, they capture the creator and kill him or put him on the maze with the monster, and they can see again the beautiful world with their families. It's shitty end i know! but it far better ending than this confusing (trying to make a good unpredicted mystery ending).

PS I haven't read the book.