The Maze Runner

Most of the complicated films with sequels have this kind of a start where it leaves an impression that the next part will have an impact. The Maze Runner is that kind of a film that has an intriguing content largely helped by the unique premises and visuals but lacks the distinctiveness because of its unexciting script.

The film opens to this closed space called the Glade which is inside a maze structure where our central character Thomas arrives through an elevator called the box. There are many other youngsters like him inside this Glade who are living an orderly life. If they want to escape from here, it will be only through the maze which the “runners” are trying to solve for the past 3 years. How Thomas’s arrival changes their routine living and gives hope for a chance to escape from the Glade is what basically the maze runner talking about.

Like I said, as there were films in the recent past which kind of had this “big boss” thread, we don’t feel any sort of thrill or excitement when we finally get to know that there is an agenda behind these events. And still with some interesting sequences and plot elements like the Griever, the film makes its 113 minutes run time absolutely engaging by generating an agony inside the viewer. The visualization of the maze components helps the movie a lot as it easily places the viewer in that isolated zone.

Director Wes Ball has done a pretty good job in terms of keeping things aggressive. But he was unable to picturize certain clichés in a non typical way. Script also has a good pace, but lacks variety in terms of development. Most of the climax twists are predictable if you have the habit of watching these sci-fi films. Cinematography and edits were okay. But the visual effects showed poor quality at some places and I hope they would improve it the next time. BGM was impressive.

On screen all the actors delivered a good performance. Dylan O’Brien was good as that confused Thomas who swiftly gets acquainted to the Glade. Will Poulter as Gally, Thomas Bordie-Sangster as Newt and Aml Ameen as Alby were also good. It was an adorable performance from the little Blake Cooper as Chuck. Nothing much was there for Kaya Scodelario and I hope we will see more of her in the second installment.

On the whole The Maze Runner is engaging with certain amount of expectedness. The chance of a better sequel is definitely there. My rating is 3/5 for this Wes Ball film. It is like a beta version of matrix that you can recommend to someone who doesn’t really like to give his or her brain an exercise.