Theatrical Reviews: The Maze Runner

Ladders.  Ladders are a series of ancient and ingenious tools that have existed for hundreds and hundreds of years.  They are a simple and efficient means of getting from a place of lower altitude to one of higher altitude with little effort.  They are not as easy to use as elevators, but they are quite handy in scenarios where only a small distance needs to be climbed, or when an elevator is not readily available.

Ladders are the first things I thought of when I saw the trailers for The Maze Runner, and I spent the entire duration of the film waiting for them to make an appearance.  Their awaited appearance, unfortunately, never arrived.  The Maze Runner maze has no ceiling, it only looks like its a few stories high.  The maze’s residence themselves have been trapped within its confines for over three years, did they not once think to try going over it instead of through it?

The filmmakers are aware of this to some extent.  There is a scene near the beginning where the lead character, played by Dylan O’Brien, begins questioning why they haven’t found a way to get out; He lists several methods, alternative to running through the maze, that could be used to escape.  Another character replies to his questions, saying, “Anything you could think of, we’ve tried.  It won’t work.”  This scene was clearly shoed in to try and explain all of the massive questions that might come to the viewers minds, but I don’t buy it for a second.  They should have used Ladders, if they can build tools and giant freaking buildings then why not some simple ladders and make-shift bridges?

Obnoxious nit-picky plot problems aside; The Maze Runner isn’t really that bad.  Among YA adaptations it lays firmly between the worst and the best.  Is it as thoughtful as The Hunger Games?  Not even close;  But compared to Divergent it looks like Citizen Kane.

What keeps the film above water most of the time is not it’s characters or even it’s plot, but simply it’s ability to make you wonder where the whole thing is going.  The film is able to keep it’s momentum and plot twists coming fast and furious enough to keep the viewer invested;  though probably not very satisfied.

The character offerings here are paper thin, stereotypical and uninteresting.  The character plot is basically just “The Matrix,” but less thought provoking;  And while there certainly is a place for “The Matrix” light, I can’t imagine this being an apt replacement.  This story, message and characters are dumbed down to a extreme extent;  It feels like a children's book when you watch it, and the Harry Potter style tropes don’t help things along.

While I legitimately enjoyed watching it for the first time, I seriously doubt there will be a second viewing for me.  The only thing that keeps the movie flowing is the mystery surrounding the antagonist, and once that that has been removed there really isn’t anything left of value. 

The ending is especially stupid. After all that running around the movies only great revelation is that there is going to be a sequel,  Hilariously enough, the final phrase spoken in the film is, “Begin phase 2.”  After all that tension and build up the last thing I wanted the filmmakers to do was not explain half of what was going on in hopes of a sequel being made.  Worst of all, he ending cliff hanger is so stupid that I have trouble believing I will muster the courage to go see the announced sequel.  What a waste of effort.

I’m sure fans of the novel will probably enjoy this, but most others will either shrug, or balk at the stupidity.  It’s a fairly awful movie, but compared to most YA adaptations it looks a lot better than it is.  I don’t want to say that it isn’t worth seeing, but it certainly isn’t the best movie to spend your money on.  It’s a bad movie that was well made; 

Possibly on accident.

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