Tags
adaptation, cinema, death, experiment, james dashner, maze, novel, sci fi, series, teen fiction, the maze runner
Here we have the beginnings of yet another series of young adult fiction novels that have (or are going to be) adapted into big screen versions. The first of these novels that were written by James Dashner is simply called The Maze Runner.
Now I went into this slightly warily, knowing that the source material was teen fiction, but I thought I would give it a shot nevertheless. The film tells the story of Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) who wakes up to find himself in a strange place with no-one he knows around him and no memory of how he got there.
It becomes apparent that he has been sent there to make something change in the habitat around him although he doesn’t know what that is to begin with. The community lives in the shadow of a huge maze that only opens during the day and allows “runners” to gain access, who, while inside have been mapping the maze for a number of years.
The only cast members I recognised here were Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Game of Thrones, Love Actually) and Will Poulter (Voyage of the Dawn Treader). The rest of the cast is virtually unknown and they put in a decent job, but nothing Earth shattering in my opinion. I haven’t read the books so I do not know what sort of time frame they follow, but the second novel (The Scorch Trials) has finished filming and is in post production for a release later in the years.
Now my verdict on the film? Well the idea is good enough. A modest blend of the survival element (The Hunger Games) and the horror/action of Cube. Lets just say that although not a brilliant movie, there is enough of a story for me to watch the second movie when it comes out just to see where it goes. I can then decide if any further watching is required.
So I give The Maze Runner and wait for the next in the series.
Trailer: