"The
Maze
Runner" is
a
hero's
journey,
where
the
hero
is
courageous,
doesn't
follow
rules
and
is
willing
to
try
till
he
succeeds.
It
has
similarities
with
films
like
"Nineteen
Eighty
Four",
"Logan's
Run",
"Lord
of
The
Flies",
"Battle
Royale",
and
"Hunger
Games".
It
also
bears
a
striking
resemblance
to
the
recently
released
films,
"Divergent"
and
"The
Giver".
In
fact,
this
sense
of
familiarity
makes
for
the
comfortable
viewing.
The
film
is
constantly
engaging
and
never
blatantly
taxing.
The
story,
oscillating
between
fatalism
and
optimism,
is
based
on
James
Dashner's
2009
popular
young
adult
fantasy
novel
of
the
same
name.
The
narration
begins
with
Thomas
(Dylan
O'Brien)
being
hauled
up
in
a
rattling
freight
elevator
in
an
unknown
destination,
which
he
later
learns
is
the
Glade,
a
vast
open
area
covered
by
meadows
and
woods
surrounded
by
massive
concrete
walls
that
form
the
Maze.
This
strange
place
is
populated
by
a
multi-ethnic
group
of
male
teenagers
who
have
been
living
there
for
the
last
three
years.
Like
Thomas,
none
of
the
others
there
remember
anything
about
their
lives
prior
to
getting
to
the
Glade
or
who
put
them
there.
The
inhabitants
address
Thomas
as
"Greenie",
a
term
for
the
lowest
rung
in
the
community,
usually
reserved
for
those
who
indulge
in
gardening.
The
others
are
"Builders"
who
provide
the
camp
with
the
necessary
tools
and
"Runners"
the
most
respected
of
the
lot.
They
also
brief
him
about
the
three
rules
of
inhabitation
-
do
your
part
uninterruptedly
and
without
questioning,
never
harm
other
"Gladers"
and,
lastly,
never
go
beyond
those
walls,
for
into
the
Maze
reside
the
Grievers.
They
are
the
biomechanical
predators
who
look
like
terrifying
tarantula
creatures
that
patrol
the
Maze
during
the
night.
Alby
(Aml
Ameen),
the
team
leader,
who
was
the
first
to
arrive
at
the
Glade,
was
the
one
who
set
the
rules.
He
along
with
Newt
(Thomas
Brodie-Sangster)
led
the
team.
Gally
(Will
Poulter)
is
the
law
enforcer,
who
provides
any
physical
persuasion
if
required,
to
keep
everyone
in
line
in
order
to
perform
their
assigned
tasks
and
there
is
Minho
(Ki
Hong
Lee),
the
lead
runner.
After
more
than
three
years
of
exploration,
they're
still
searching
for
the
secret
escape
route
to
exit
from
the
Maze.
Because
of
his
curious
instinct
and
unique
perspective,
Thomas
is
soon
promoted
to
a
Runner.
And
soon
after
helping
Alby
and
Minho
survive
a
night
in
the
Maze,
an
unprecedented
feat,
Teresa
(Kaya
Scodelario)
the
only
girl
is
sent
to
the
Glade.
Her
arrival
upsets
the
fragile
social
order.
Nevertheless,
the
result
is
obvious.
The
appealing
star
cast
is
spontaneous
and
charming
yet,
offers
nothing
extraordinary.
The
lone
girl
Kaya
Scoldelrio
seems
like
a
forced
inclusion.
She
offers
nothing
concrete
in
terms
of
the
story
progression
and
Patricia
Clarkson
as
the
head
of
the
enigmatic
research
team
of
the
dystopian
society
is
hardly
there
to
leave
an
impact.
Director
Wes
Ball
in
his
maiden
directorial
venture
has
managed
to
hook
the
audience
with
his
winning,
but
not
so
convincing
story,
purely
on
the
basis
of
the
performance
of
the
cast
and
their
interpersonal
chemistry.
Technically
the
film,
with
minimalist,
computer-generated
images
and
trappings
of
science-fiction,
is
a
treat
to
watch.
The
script
is
fast-paced
and
the
climax
challenging.
It
is
the
denouement
that
struggles
to
leave
an
impact.
Nevertheless
the
last
scene
promises
a
sequel
soon,
which
may
be
more
fulfilling.