The Maze Runner
Directed by Wes Ball
Released 9.19.2014
113 minutes
Based on the book by James Dashner
See on IMDb
Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they’re all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow “runners” for a shot at escape.
Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter
My review
Wow. I was really impressed with the way this was pulled off! The movie was way, way better than the book. It’s not that I didn’t like the book, it just didn’t wow me. It was meh. But the movie adaptation was spot on! (At least for bringing the book to life…I don’t remember the little details about the book, so if anything changed I wouldn’t know.)
The casting was great. Dylan O’Brien was perfect for Thomas! Will Poulter was perfect, too; he is awesome at being a tool! When I first saw Kaya Scodelario, the only thing I could think is: Holy crap, she reminds me of Kristen Stewart. Thank heavens she didn’t act like Kristen does! She ended up being pretty good too. I also really liked who they picked for Chuck, Alby, and Minho. They did a great job!
What I was most impressed with was the Maze itself. WOW! It was very well done, and was totally creepy and convincing! The only complaint I have? The Grievers. I was so not sold on the design. The face was way too tiny, which made them look ridiculous! And I pictured them much different. I pictured them more of a metal bot-spider thing than looking like an actual spider with metal legs.
As a movie, I gave this 4 stars. But as a book adaptation, it is hands down 5/5. I think this is one of the best movie adaptations I’ve ever seen. (Mainly because I thought it was better than the book! That doesn’t happen very often!) I think even if you hadn’t read the book, it would work. There was nothing left out that I can think of, and everything was explained enough (as much as the book was, since you basically don’t get answers til the end) for someone to watch the movie by itself.
If you read the book, I highly recommend you see the movie!
Overall Assessment
Casting: 5/5
True to the book: 5/5
Delivery: 5/5
Visual Effects: 4/5
Pace: 5/5
Score: 3.5/5
Trailer
Great review! I have the series on my Kindle but am a bit reluctant to start it since so many people seem let down by the final book. Glad you enjoyed the movie so much though, there’s nothing I like more than reading a book then watching the movie adaptation straight after!
I’m glad you enjoyed the movie! I liked it a lot as well. There are definitely a lot of differences from the book (I actually really enjoyed the whole series lol) but the movie is great in it’s own right! I didn’t like the way the Greivers are depicted either, in the books they are slimy blob with mechanical appendages haha. I just reread the book after seeing the movie and I’m planning on writing about them soon :) my other complaint with the movie was I felt the commercials led ppl to believe it might be an alien movie, and I think the fact that it wasn’t was disappointing for those ppl.
Yeah!! I didn’t think there was anything about spiders in there. Oh well. I need to re-read them so I can finish the series! And yeah, I hate misleading trailers :(
I felt the same way! As a movie on its own, I wasn’t IN LOVE, but since I liked it better than the book, I had to give some praise. The book always left me struggling to picture everything, especially the grievers, so I thought the way they were portrayed was well done. And since I was freaking out every time they were on screen, I’m pretty sure they did their job!
I haven’t read the book series, but I think Dylan O’Brien is SO cute, so I definitely need to watch this! I think he has the perfect face for a YA adaptation (weird way of putting it, but it’s the truth haha). Glad you enjoyed it so much!
He DOES have the perfect face! He’d be great for a lot of different YA heroes :D
DYLAN O’BAE[N] IS MY NEWEST OBSESSION! I’ve seen this movie twice and it’s so bad because I watched it once and then I restarted it. It was a great movie! I read the book but I ADORED this movie and I’m so glad you did too because YAYYYYYY
[you see how professional my comment is?]
Hahaha XD Yeah, I totally want to watch it again! Actually, I think I might buy it ;)
[professional shmessional.]
Yes! I’m so glad you loved this one! I really liked the book, but I’ve been really excited for movie because I want to see the Maze! I’m sad the Grievers are weird looking, but whatever. Everything else is good though, right? :)
The Maze was AMAZEBAAALLLSSSS. I was so impressed with how creepy and realistic it was!! And yes, right :D
I haven’t seen the movie yet, but want to. I enjoyed the book a lot and haven’t been so sure about the previews. The maze looked too industrial to me, I kind of pictured something more medieval-esque, but since you liked how they did it I’m even more curious to see the movie now!
I haven’t read the book before the movie, but I liked the concept and the Maze looked amazing. I wasn’t completely hooked on the characters, but I hope they make a movie of the sequel :)