The Maze Runner

In recent years we've seen a plethora of young adult oriented films, i.e. "Twilight Saga", "Hunger Games", "Divergent", etc, so when I saw the trailer of the upcoming "The Maze Runner", I thought it was going to be yet another teen perspective type of film that we've all seen much too often. Although I can see the youth angst in this, this does go deeper than the surface if you're willing to dig deep and be patient with this.

Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) wakes up in a freight elevator remembering nothing but his own name. As he's yanked up to the ground by several teen boys, he emerges in a world of about 60 of these teenage boys who have learned to survive in a completely enclosed environment, subsisting on their own agriculture and supplies. Apparently a new boy arrives every 30 days so as to add to this community. The original group has been in 'The Glade', as it's called, for two years, trying to find an escape through the maze that surrounds their living space. Some of the others can't help but think that since Thomas has arrived, things have not been the same causing fear and confusion in others such as Gally (Will Poulter) and Minho (Ki Hong Lee). The only ones that seem to listen to Thomas' thinking-outside-the-box mentality is Alby (Aml Ameen), Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) and Chuck (Blake Cooper). After a point, a comatose girl, Teresa (Kaya Scodelario) arrives on the elevator with a strange note. And at this point, their world really begins to change. Will they survive the Maze and especially the nightmarish Grievers who inhabit the Maze in order to make their escape work?

Others to round out the cast are Dexter Darden as Frypan, Chris Sheffield as Ben, Patricia Clarkson as Ava Paige, Joe Adler as Zart, Alexander Flores as Winston, Jacob Latimore as Jeff and Randall D. Cunningham as Clint.

This was directed by relative newcomer, Wes Ball (Several Shorts). I was amazed, because I have seen this caliber of directing by seasoned veteran directors before, so if this is his first theatrical film, I am anxious to see more of this guy's work. This was written by Noah Oppenheim, Grant Pierce Myers and T.S. Nowlin based on James Dashner's novel. This was a decent script, except that there were several questions by film's end. However, fret not, for this is certainly left open-ended where they could simply continue on with the story so as to answer some of those important questions.
If this film does nothing else for you, it definitely supplies us with a look at the many different ways we, as a society, deal with issues when in a stressed situation. Such as Thomas having the ability to think outside the box through constant curiosity, Gally being satisfied with the way things are which basically stems from fear of change, Minho as a 'Runner' who is a fighter, Chuck who wants to please and help others, Newt who is knowledgeable, but knows something has to happen to get out of the Maze and others that are merely followers, are cases in point of the many individuals we know ourselves. This is more than a group of guys that need to escape a huge Maze.
Otherwise, the sets/models of this maze that were built were simply amazing in and of themselves. And the haunting sound effects just add to that otherworldly feel in which this film exudes.

This film, although not perfect, is a great way to escape into a world that you've never experienced before, and if this makes money, it will be another world you will experience is a continuation. Enjoy!

Out of 4 Stars: 3                              Rated: PG-13                              113mins.