The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner
Directed by: Wes Ball
Edited by: Dan Zimmerman
Starring: Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Ki Hong Lee, Will Poulter
Based on the book by: James Dashner


When Thomas wakes up, he's staring at a bunch of unfamiliar, boyish faces. He can't remember anything prior to waking up in the field, in the middle of a mechanical maze. As it turns out, neither can the boys. For whatever reason, they have been put into the maze to fend for themselves. Some of the boys have tried to run through the maze in search of a way out, but so far they've come up empty. Thomas is curious about what lies beyond their glade. He is not content just sitting around and hoping that things will work out. When a girl is put in the maze the rules as the boys know them start to change. They have to act, fast, if they want to get out once and for all.


I haven't read the book of the same name that the movie was based on. So I went in completely oblivious to the plot. And with low expectations. I kind of expected it to be another The Giver fiasco.

I was actually pleasantly surprised.

Instead of telling the audience what is going in, we arrive with Thomas to the middle of the maze. In fact the opening scene is Thomas being pushed up through the ground into the glade. We have no idea who he is, who everyone else is, or where we are. We learn everything when Thomas does. This helps make the movie more interesting. You are intrigued from the beginning. Why are they there? Who put them there? Why is he different?

As the movie progresses, the action starts as well. We see parts of the maze and the animals that lurk within it.

The movie is like a modern-day or maybe even a future-like Lord of the Flies. The boys are left to fend for themselves and some are torn between staying alive inside the glade, safe and comfortable, or trying to figure out a way outside but risking the danger.

The acting is OK. I didn't like Thomas very much. His acting wasn't horrible, I just...couldn't find him interesting. Teresa (Scodelario) doesn't have much to say or do in this movie but I can't help but feel she will come into play in the later movies. I did like Minho (Lee). I felt he acted better than Thomas and he just seemed more likable.

The movie did a great job of keeping you interested. As the movie progresses so does your intrigue. You just have to know what's going to happen. The ending was unpredictable and sets up the sequel, The Scrorch Trials, which is set to be released in September of this year.

I will definitely be seeing the sequel and I hope that it continues in the same vein as Maze Runner when it comes to asking questions and providing delayed answers.

I give this movie 4 out of 5 popcorn.