The Maze Runner

Let the comparison games begin! Ok, so if you've read the book, or even the description, you may draw some similarities between The Maze Runner and The Hunger Games, and you'd be right to draw those similarities. Nevertheless, this is an extremely adventurous and suspenseful movie, that makes itself its own.

Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) wakes up hurtling towards the surface in a wire-mesh elevator, with no memory of who or where he is. When he emerges, he joins a society of teenage boys, living in the centre of an enormous maze that opens, closes and shifts shape every day. None of the other boys know why they're there or who put them there, but they know that they must survive, and that they must escape.

There are several different roles in the makeshift society, led by Alby (Aml Ameen), but one stands out to Thomas, the runners. The runners spend every day sprinting through the maze, mapping its walls and searching for an exit. It's a dangerous job and you have to be specially chosen for it. Soon however, the rest of the boys realise that Thomas is different to all the others.

This is one of those stories that attracts the Hollywood bigwigs to come running with their wads of cash, but it's also one that inspires the imaginations of all-ages. I must admit that I'm a bit of a sucker for any post-apocalyptic themed movies, and whilst there's no implicit mention as to why they're in the situation they're in throughout most of the movie, there is a Lord of the Flies tone to it, with society (or in this case, a small group of adolescents) being forced back to their tribal roots.

From a relatively young cast, the acting is astonishingly good. Some stand outs for me were Dylan O'Brien in the leading role, Thomas Brodie-Sangster (AKA the awesome Jojen Reed from Game of Thrones) and Will Poulter (who I like to nickname 'Matt the Marky Damon Wharlberg').

There's no doubt that a large chunk of the budget went into the film's special effects, and they're truly stunning. The concrete maze structure towers over the audience in quite a menacing way, and the bizarre creatures that lurk within it's walls really come to life. As equally good as the visuals is the engrossing sound design which makes damn sure you hear every creak of the walls, every distant bird and every squealing lovable chubby kid.

I must admit that going into this I was a bit hesitant, but it turned out to be a very strong introduction to the franchise. I don't necessarily think the next instalment will be quite as engrossing, but this is a damn good start. It's sure to draw in even the most hesitant viewer with it's strong visuals and suspenseful plot.