Title: Maze Runner (12A)
Year: 2014
Running Time: 113 minutes
Director: Wes Ball
Cast: Dylan O'Brien (Thomas), Aml Ameen (Alby), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Newt), Kaya Scodelario (Teresa)
Notes: Won four awards, nominated for others
Rating: 9
Thoughts: In a bleak future teenage boys are sent one at a time to an enclosed area. All they can remember is their name. And beyond the enclosure is an ever-changing maze with killer guards. And then a girl arrives!
We are into the action quickly and have to piece it all together as Thomas arrives. There is a limited society that has a Lord of the Flies vibe as the boys try to discover more. about their environment.
Thomas is the sudden rebel they need to push the story forward. The group gets progressively bolder as mishaps befall them and discover more and more. This really bounds along and the maze elements look convincing. There are threats aplenty.
In the latter stages, the survivors arrive at a science complex strewn with bodies. They watch a video of an attack and are then whisked off by helicopter. And then we close to find the scientists are alive and this is stage one of an experiment. It works as a standalone cliffhanger but teases up the next film too.
Overall the young actors are great and there is a strong dystopian feel. There is a good blend of suspense and action, loads of pace, and a real sense of wanting to know more. It makes you want to watch the sequels.