Movie Review 121: The Maze Runner

Hey what Happened to 120?

Don't worry, I know I missed 120. It'll be a review of The Drop starring Tom Hardy.

Before that I'm reviewing the Young Adult Sci Fi romp The Maze Runner. don't worry, I'm not gonna go off on how it rips off of other young adult movies, cause it doesn't.

Anyway, This'll be a longer review, then the Drop will drop next.

And Last but not least, a SPOILER Tag! So, ye Be Warned

Movie Review: The Maze Runner

Review:
I'm gonna forgo the normal Reviewing style. This gives me a bit more liberty to speak frankly about the movie without having to stop and continue my thoughts later in the review.  anyway I rather enjoyed the first half of Maze Runner. It had a nice Bleak tone and a pretty decent pace.

The best thing about The maze Runner is the visuals and pacing. The Image of the Dark and musty maze looks great, reminiscent of Indiana Jones at times but with some cool Science Fiction edge to it. I liked the moving parts and the big grinding gears. But that leads me to wonder many things.

How is it that there are big walls full of vines when the walls are constantly shifting and moving. wouldn't they be crushed? furthermore how can the runners have mapped it all out if it keeps changing? do only certain walls change? This all leads me to another question. Who built this monstrosity? besides some really bored billionaires who the hell would ever think to put kids in a giant maze with ravenous scorpions and shifting maze walls? It reminds me of Galaxy quest. "Straight on through the Chompers" "Well Screw that!"

This also brings me to the Grievers. They were cool and unique at first, the cool mechanical legs and the unique hybrid of monster and machine. but as the movie went along I found myself wondering, why? why were these things a thing. What brain damaged scientist would make these things? What the hell kind of nutjob would make giant robot mutants with small beeping batteries in them and poison stingers?

Why did they have batteries in them? Where did the We're the Miller Kid get the battery? Did he know the code too? Does that mean he was a runner too?

moving on... Let's talk about Thomas. First off, he's a decent character. I liked him, even though he went from greenie to leader in a day or two. Standard Young Adult fare. but then it's revealed he worked for the testers. so, You're telling me this Teenager worked for a big Scientific testing lab? I can understand Giant Mecha Crabs but Teenage scientists?

OK, Next up, The Cinematograpy. I liked it, at times. The wide shots were great and the visuals meshed well. but then they started fighting and lost all concept of what was going on. things got hit people got thrown stuff was bashed. It was a big Jumble of whirling parts and shaky Camera.

There are also some pretty weird physics conundrums at times. How did the griever crawl on the wooden shack and not fall in instantly?  and how can you not escape the Pit.

I liked it overall but there are some serious issues. Mostly the ending. It was relatively believable for the first three quarters of the movie. then it went down hill. so they get out of the maze and end up in the testing facility. well, okay, is there a mile or so of testing facility below them that they send the greenies up from? Ok, fine whatever. Did the world actually fall into chaos? is that just part of the 'Bait'? How is Bullet to the Brain Pan Squish not a KO?

Gah this movie just brings up so many questions. It really needs a damn sequel just to resolve the issues it brings up. Hopefully this one doesn't go the route of Golden Compass.

Final Verdict: 71
Enjoyable fiction with a very muddled plot.


Now to Review the Drop!

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