Adaptations of young adult novels have been popular and prominent in theaters this year, from romances “If I Stay” and “The Fault in Our Stars” to dystopian adventures “The Giver” and “Divergent.” “The Maze Runner”, though narratively similar to sci-fi adaptations in the past, manages to carve out its own niche in the YA genre thanks to its element of mystery. Just don’t go in expecting great depth or a fully satisfying conclusion.
The film opens in a dark, musty elevator shaft, where Thomas (Dylan O’Brien, “Teen Wolf”), confused and disoriented, speeds towards the world above. A group of teenage boys, including established leaders Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster, “Love, Actually”) and Alby (Aml Ameen, “Lee Daniels’ The Butler”), surrounds Thomas and tells him that he has entered The Glade. This small patch of open land is enclosed by an intricate, foreboding maze that seems to be the only means of escape.
Glade residents enter the maze regularly in attempts to solve its puzzles, but are threatened within by scorpion-like creatures called Grievers that consume anyone who falls into their traps. As soon as Thomas begins to explore the maze for himself, however, everything begins to change.
“The Maze Runner’s” premise is simple but effective, and the atmosphere remains suspenseful thanks to director Wes Ball’s clever direction. Information about The Glade and the maze itself is gradually revealed, but action sequences kick in at just the right times to keep the stakes high. The editing and visual effects teams, who create excellent tension throughout the film, deserve praise in particular.
Some other elements of the film fall short, however. The actors are energetic to a fault, but attempts at poignancy come across as heavy-handed and forced. The script is serviceable, and in this case its purpose is largely to propel the mystery forward, which it does successfully but not memorably.
Audiences expecting a firm end will be disappointed by the film’s largely unsatisfying conclusion. The end makes it clear that the filmmakers designed this series as a trilogy. This is perhaps understandable if the films are eventually to be considered as one narrative, but as a stand-alone movie, “Maze Runner” suffers for it.
“The Maze Runner” is a film that begins in darkness, gradually reveals clues and mysteries, and leaves the viewer with even more questions by the time it’s finished. It is an entertaining addition to the ever-growing catalog of YA films, and there are almost certainly sequels on the way. Catch it for the visual effects and effective suspense, but skip it if you’re looking for character depth and a deep, thought-provoking story.
“The Maze Runner” (PG-13, 113 min) is now playing in theaters nationwide.
