Hollywood likes to get stuck on trends. Its recent trend seems to be adaptations of young adult dystopian novels.

With the successes of films like “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent” it might be a while before this trend ever stops.

But even in its annoying moments, one cannot forget to give every film its fair day in court.

Advertisement

“The Maze Runner” (Rated PG-13; 103 min) is a young adult adaptation directed by Wes Ball and staring Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario and Will Poulter. When Thomas is deposited into a world full of boys surrounded by a giant maze. He is without his memory and finds himself struggling to survive. With his arrival, many changes follow. The inhibitors of this land find themselves wondering whether getting out is worth the risk of The Maze.

Go see this film. It is thrilling and frightening in ways not a lot of movies out there are.

Many creative films find themselves being labeled as just another movie cashing in on a specific genre or craze. It happened to “Warm Bodies” and now it will happen to “The Maze Runner”

This film’s concept and the execution of that concept are amazing. It is something we have not seen in this genre and adds a little more flavor to it. Ball takes this world set up in the novel and puts it pleasantly on the screen for everyone to see.

But the great thing that Ball as a director does and what the screen writers do, is to never fully explain this world visually or throughout dialogue. Even by the end, you find yourself asking more questions that you hope to get answered in the next film.

When getting a glimpse at the random pieces of futuristic technology and the world of The Maze and beyond, things seem unique and different. Yet, everything is shadowed so as to not give too much of it away.

The world and the characters inhabiting it are always convincing and this seems to be thanks to both the writing of the film and the actors. At times this village of young boys and men seems like something out of “Lord of the Flies.”

Advertisement*

A class system has been set up, there are leaders and everyone is expected to help. Every character in this group is compelling and dynamic. All of the actors should be commended for bringing something great to their roles. Many of them are somewhat unknown, but bring an A-game not seen in many established child actors.

You feel for every character and when many die, it is beyond heartbreaking. Even when the “villain” of the film Gally, played by Will Poulter, goes into full villain mode, he never seems like a villain. You understand his thinking, no matter how dangerous it is, and have empathy.

This is an extremely enjoyable film and it will make any flaws it has disappeared in your mind.