Movie review: The Maze Runner thrills and chills

By Lisa Goudy

A clatter echoes in the dark. Confusion fills the mind. A blinding white light pervades the eyes. A group of boys come into view. Confusion is imminent.

This sets the scene from the perspective of Thomas (Dylan O’Brien), the main protagonist of The Maze Runner, a heart-stopping, intense thrill ride that is enjoyable from beginning to end. The film is filled with non-stop action sequences, mixed in with some character development, but maintaining a fast-paced story for the entire runtime of 113 minutes.

It keeps everyone on the edge of their seats for the ride, all the time in the same position as the characters in the film because no one really knows what’s going on. The new young adult film is a gripping film leaving the viewer dying for more.

Image source: http://www.matchdrama.com/maze-runner-2014-watch-online-free-movie-trailers/

Based on the best-selling novel by James Dashner, the story takes place in a place referred to as The Glades, a piece of green space surrounded by a giant maze. The Glade’s residents are filled with boys. None of them remember anything about themselves or their lives except their name. Once a month, another boy is sent to The Glades.

Among the boys includes Alby (Aml Ameen), the charismatic leader, Chuck (Blake Cooper), a smaller boy with a good attitude and Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) who help Thomas out after his arrival.

They live in a working civilization almost as the boys have found a system that works to get the resources they need and stay alive.

Runners, however, have the most difficult and dangerous job. Led by Minho (Ki Hong Lee), every day they go into the maze to try and map it to figure a way out. That task isn’t easy because the maze constantly shifts. It’s vital to make it out by nightfall as no one has ever survived the maze overnight.

Their way of life is upheaved with Thomas’ arrival. Thomas risks his life to find a way to escape, determined not to be stuck in The Glades. With order disrupted, Gally (Will Poulter) is resilient to that change and what it could mean for his home.

The mystery is unraveled in a smart way that thrills and surprises. The effects are believable and real that makes the audience feel like a part of the maze, a part of the threats and a part of the confusion and horror that dawns with every revelation.

Another great and refreshing aspect of the movie is the slew of new faces. None of the actors are A-list or even names a lot of people will have heard of before. The Maze Runner goes to show that Hollywood doesn’t need big names to make a successful movie.

All of the actors do a fantastic job in their roles, showcasing their talents. O’Brien is a likeable and relatable protagonist, proving he can hold up his own, just as Poulter does a good job of being Thomas’ arch-enemy in the film.

The Maze Runner is a solid thriller young adult movie with impressive action scenes, wonderful acting and a story that will suck anyone in who dares enter into its world.