Likable But Underdeveloped Characters; A Contrived Set-Up for a YA Dystopian Franchise

Rating: 7/10 (2 February 2015)

Another YA dystopian novel movie adaptation?!? I'm starting to wonder if the market will become oversaturated with these films (though I doubt it). If you're just looking for one nice movie to be entertained with, you might be disappointed with TMR because the movie ends with a cliffhanger and is the first in a quartet of books (and probably future movies). It has an interesting premise (Why are the Gladers in the Maze? Who put them there? Will they ever get out?), but to new moviegoers TMR might feel like simple franchise bait and will leave them with more questions than answers about the world of TMR. You might not get much closure.
The Gladers are likable characters, but they aren't developed much and are too similar to familiar character archetypes. Thomas is an OK character, to be honest Newt and Alby are more interesting than he was. This is probably due to Thomas having no memories, and most of his scenes are ones that set up the series mythology and ones where he's in fight and chase scenes. The rest of the Gladers don't do much or are there only to advance the plot of the movie (but they're likable). You don't focus on this much though as The Maze Runner is a very fast- paced book and movie. Thomas and the "Gladers" rush from one shocking event to the next dangerous chase, all while trying to find a way out of the Maze.
Even though TMR only has a $34 million dollar budget, the movie still looks visually nice. I loved to see the Grievers, the Maze, the Glade, and the Gladers brought to life from the book! I think they were cast very well: Thomas, Teresa, Alby, Minho, Gally; they all look like I imagined them. To the disappointment of some action, effects-heavy, CGI explosion fans there are no super-big set pieces in TMR, and the fighting is pretty primitive (with almost no guns or heavy hand-to- hand combat sequences). But there's still excitement with the chases from, and the fighting against the Grievers (bio- mechanical lizard/scorpion-like monsters). TBH the fight scenes could've been a bit more professional.
There are a few small things changed from book to movie, but most help the movie become a smoother cinematic tale (albeit slightly cliché) and more understandable to those who don't know all the info that comes with reading the books. However, others are quite unnecessary.
The movie ultimately spends too long setting up future installments than fleshing out the characters, but it still has enough things going on for you not to get too bored. It's adrenaline-fueled, suspenseful, and thrilling. I personally think the fight scenes could've been better choreographed and more exciting. Also, the characters really could've used more development. I think we should've got to known the Maze, Glade, and Gladers more because the movie is IMO too short.
PS, for those of you that don't know, a sequel to TMR (called The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials) is set be released on September 18, 2015 in the United States. Also, a second prequel book has been announced by James Dashner called "The Fever Code" (possibly to be released in 2016). Score for The Maze Runner: 7.4
%%SPOILER ALERT%% Does it really make sense that, with an unlimited budget and support of the world's governments, WCKD (or WICKED in the books) decided to make a maze of death in an attempt to find a cure for The Flare? If they wanted to study the brain patterns of the Gladers, couldn't they put them under complex simulations (like in Divergent)? It'd be stupid if they hadn't invented the technology, because they have "Transvices" and "Flat Trans" (mentioned in the other books) in their world. They have those futuristic devices, but not simulation serums? Also, why do they only measure the killzone (or brains') reactions to negative things and dangerous situations? What about positive emotions/situations? Wouldn't those have to be tested too? I personally think the government and scientists would've just exterminated all the infected and they all would've hid in some bunker. So I think that the Maze Runner is a bit implausible in that regard. But whatever. %%END OF SPOILERS%%
If you liked this review, please read my other ones on movies, TV shows, and videogames. I have reviewed 38 movies, including the 2015 and 2014 films: Taken 3, The Interview, Exodus: Gods and Kings, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Dracula Untold, The Maze Runner, The Expendables 3, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy, Sharknado 2, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Edge of Tomorrow, X-Men Days of Future Past, Godzilla, Blended, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Divergent, Transcendence, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Blended, The Lego Movie, and more.
I also review TV shows, such as: Empire (2015), The Flash, Arrow (Seasom 3),Marvel's Agents of SHIELD, (Season 1&2), Gotham, The Last Ship, Sleepy Hollow,The 100, I Wanna Marry Harry, Crisis (2014), Gang Related, and more.