Film Review: The Maze Runner

What if one day as you open your eyes you can’t remember most of the things except your name? Your memories, experiences you've been through, the names of people you have met, the place where you come from; all things seem impossible to trace and remember. How will you react? Will you question things? What if as you struggle for the answers, your life is put in danger? How will you handle your situation?

The Questions: Who am I? Where am I?

The loss of memory shapes the story line of The Maze Runner. All of the characters have seemingly decided to live their “present” without thinking of their “past”. The predicament of tracing their memories leads the main character, Thomas, to become very conscious and aware of his surroundings and become inquisitive in the place enclosed with high, cemented, and moving walls.

Every now and then, the eerie sounds beyond the walls made the teenagers alert and tremble for moments.  Thomas is informed that the people whom he has been spending time with are called as Gladers, and the place where small community is built for them is termed as the Glade.

As the story progresses, Thomas is being informed that the place beyond the walls is named as Maze. The walls have been experiencing a process which is called as Changing. This process makes the unnerving sounds audible due to the mechanical movements occur inside. As Thomas struggles in finding his past and discovering the place, he is trapped in a situation that forces him to move forward in the maze and save the two runners: Minho and Alb. In spite of fright and uncertainties, Thomas’ character of being helpful has been shown. Unknown to Thomas, there are creatures roaming around the maze and these are called as Grievers. The grievers add tension, pressure and difficulty to the characters.  As they struggle in the maze and finding their escape, these creatures run after them with only one goal— kill them.

The New Recruit
















The enthusiasm to know his past by the newly recruit member in the Glade, Thomas, leads the group in finding the way out. Thomas struggles not only with personal and psychological conflicts but also with his environment and others. This is typical to most, if not all, the films I have watched. But, what makes this film different is how the writer manages to give the protagonist a different perspective and attitude. The character reminds me that, in life tradition or custom practices may not always be practical and endless. The Gladers have been struggling in the Glide for three years. All of their practices are routinely done. From the food supply that they get every week, the absence and adventure of the runners in the maze, and presence of new member that is recruited and brought by the lift called as “the Box” every month are indeed habitual and expected. Most of them are not willing to   question why things are such that, why their time and life are seemingly always in danger. Most of them are not yet ready to go out of the convention. Most of them are contented to the kind of life that they have. A life that is restricted,   conventional and restrained by rules.

In the advent of Thomas, the movie goers can easily predict that he will be set aside and not listened to. It is easy to foresee that his character may complicate things. But, surprisingly, the film shows a different way of character-convincing. Thomas establishes good relationship with a number of Gladers led by Newt, Chuck, Minho, Frypan and Teresa.

 It is the human nature, I guess, to question why things are not happening the way we want it to be. It is human nature to find somebody who can understand and relate with us. Further, it is human nature to be with someone who can be an answer and lead us to an escape. But it is also our nature not to go initially and withdraw in changes. These natures are successfully shown in the film. These human natures are exposed though the character of Thomas.

The character’s attitude in a new environment is not new. But what’s surprising here is that Thomas has been able to go beyond the convention and able to earn the trust of other people in a community that they called home. Through Thomas, many characters find a new way for escape, hope, and life.

The Film Itself

In general, the film functions to be entertaining and at the same time it provides realizations in life. The Maze Runner is probably one of the best science-fiction films for this year. It offers a different viand for moviegoers. It really makes us feel part of the movie by giving provoking thoughts and asking questions that the film’s characters are not aware of. This film moves out to be as one of the copy-cat of Hunger Games Trilogy. It shows its prowess in many ways and proves that the art in film making get better and better as the time passes. The cinematography and CGI effects are indeed amazing. No doubt that the film spent million dollars for its visual enhancement. The sound scoring is truly in accordance with the heart-pounding scenes in film. In fact, I suggest that somebody should watch this with someone to relate with: the unique experience, the pain, the triumph and the perplexity that the characters have involved with.

What seems missing in the film is the idea of Supreme Being who transcends among them. As a believer, I am looking for a certain scene where God will be mentioned or even thought of as the source of strength and hope. That no matter how difficult life may seem and how impossible to survive, they are always encouraged to fight not only because they are standing as one but also because they have FAITH that no matter what happens God exists and always present to guide them.

The things I did not expect

First, I am not informed that this film is originally adapted  from a science-fiction novel which is written by the Best-selling author , James Dashne. Since I haven’t had the chance to read the book prior to the premier, I cannot compare its plot. As a literature major, I believe, that it’s not appropriate to compare the quality of both media because book is truly different from film. Their presentations and how one is adapted is indeed different, so it’s a no-no to say that the film version is much better than the printed one. It’s difficult because, again, they are not in the same medium.  

What is acceptable on my end is to compare the presentations of the significant story-line. We can only say that the film is a good adaptation of the book, if the director has successfully captivated the chapters worth presenting from the book, and he does it with conviction, mastery and uniqueness.

Then, I did not expect that the film would show a not-that-kind-of-game-like-plot, because what I expected was the film would seem to be a game of survival—that characters were forced to compete with one another to survive.

As I watch the film, it proves me that what the film does is better compared to what I am expecting because the film teaches one important lesson in life—success in unity is more fruitful and tastier. Finally, the questions of the characters are passed to the viewers and like them we are not answered. The questions of both the readers and the film’s characters remained unanswered until the end. This suggests two things, it’s either we read the entire book or wait for its sequel.

The Rating:

Based on my rubric on film, I have, without a doubt, rated it with 8.5 over 10. I am self-assured to say that this film is worth the wait and worth-watching. For greater enjoyment, I suggest that you watch this in a movie house that is equipped with Dolby Sound System and good picture display, because they truly add wonders in the presentation of quality film like this one. Additionally, because of the sound elements and great sceneries in the film, good choice of cinema matters. The following cinemas are suggested for better viewing: Promenade, SM cinemas, Robinson's Cinema, Ali Mall Cineplex 4,  Gateway Cineplex and Greenbelt Cinemas.

My hopes are with you that at the end of film you'll say: It's worth watching!

Enjoy,

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