Follow The Maze Runner

Here is one movie that I had not even an inkling of an idea about and simply wanted to see it because it was about something I love. Mazes. After watching The Maze Runner I have to say I was quite entertained.

The Maze Runner is a story about a group of kids who were each left to their own devices on a secluded pasture surrounded by towering walls. They all arrive one at a time on a lift that ascends to this desolate area carrying supplies and one new person once a month. When they arrive they have no memory of anything before showing up in this new realm except for their name which tends to come back within the first day or two.

When the lift rises with a new member named Thomas everyone notices that he is different. His curiosity drives him to do things that most of the others dare not do or even ask about doing. Thomas is often confronted for this by a member by the name of Galley. Galley is a hard ass, but you can see that he means well. He just wants to ensure the safety of the group by sticking to the rules that they already have in place.

Each day at sunrise a set of walls open which will allow the group to venture into the maze, but only a few are able to go in. They are known as The Runners. For the past few years The Runners have ventured into this maze mapping it out and looking for an exit. However, the maze changes on a daily basis. If it were possible to explore the maze all day and night they would possibly be able to find a way out. Unfortunately that is not an option.

Each night at sunset the doors that allow the group into the maze close. Once the doors close, if you are still inside the maze you are not expected to come back. No one has survived a night in the maze. Some type of creatures roam the maze at night and kill anyone inside. The creatures are known as The Grievers. They are scary and they are fast and all the reason you need to stay out of the maze at night.

When the lift arrives earlier than expected the group made up of all boys look to find a girl inside. Teresa. In her hand is a note which reads "She is the last one ever." There are no supplies with her and the lift does not descend when they take her out. Upon awakening she remembers Thomas, but she can't remember from where or why.

When the group discovers that the lift isn't descending and that it is possible that no more supplies are coming they are faced with a dilemma. Stay where they are and eventually die, or venture into the maze to find a way out where it is possible that they will die facing The Grievers. 

One day while waiting for The Runners to return the group can see one of the members doing his best to make it back before the walls close while carrying a wounded member named Alby, Thomas dashes inside to help them and all three are trapped in the maze for the night. The Runner named Minho congratulates Thomas on successfully killing himself along with them. Thomas, however, never let's up or loses faith. He is determined to survive the night and save the wounded member Alby while doing so. It becomes a fight for their lives while they are attacked and even sometimes cornered by Grievers in a scene which will keep your heart pounding the entire time. When Thomas returns the following morning with Minho and Alby the group is left speechless. And once they realize Thomas killed a Griever in the process they all have a new found respect for their newest member. All except for Galley who is not happy about Thomas breaking the rules by going into the maze. Either way, Thomas is now a Runner.

One night when the walls are scheduled to shut, they stay open. Not only that, but three more sections of the wall open up allowing The Grievers to come into the camp and pick off members. When Galley calls for the sacrifice of Thomas and Teresa as a peace offering to The Grievers, several members of the group stand up for them and together those member decide to trek into the maze and take their chances.

The Maze Runner is filled with huge scenes and spectacular moments. I believe anyone is capable of having lots of fun with this movie. The scale of the adventure is unlike most movies as our young heroes are placed on such a large canvass of action. Many times throughout the movie you are left chomping at the bit as the film delivers its massive movie moments. Children will easily remember what they see and have a great time seeing it. I felt like I was young again watching one of those epic adventure movies that had huge moments like Star Wars. The Maze Runner is clearly setting up a sequel known as The Scorch Trials which I am now anticipating seeing after having seen what type of story this is turning out to be. If you decide to go see this movie see it at an IMAX if you can. I did not get the pleasure of that type of experience, although, I wish I had. I went to a traditional theater. When you are dealing with a movie of this type of action magnitude, you want to do everything you can to feel like you are right there experiencing all of it along with these characters you are certain to take a liking to.

And be sure to remember ... "Wicked is good."