Title: The Maze Runner
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Wes Ball
Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poultier
Runtime: 1 hr 54 mins

What It Is: What would you do if you woke up in a listless, possibly abandoned elevator. An elevator that’s destination is unknown to you? Probably freak out yeah? Well that’s exactly happen to our nameless protagonist (O’Brien). He’s nameless because he can’t remember what his name is. When he arrives he’s meant with the leader of the group of young adults here and his name is Alby (Aml Ameen). Alby introduces our protagonist to all of the young men that live in this small area. These include the leader of the “runners” Minho (Ki Hong Lee). Now what you must understand is that these young men live in a giant maze, one that they cannot traverse due to an unknown creature that the boys call “grievers”. From sun up to sun down the runners must guide there way through the maze to try and figure out an escape. Will they be able to get out of this labyrinth?

What We Think: Its formulaic as all hell, and it’s energy is really recycled. Things that happen in this film aren’t really anything new. Sure they add a variable or two but in the end it just ends up being mediocre. That’s not the worse thing a film in September can be, it is however not a good sign of something with rewatchability. That is a hallmark of these YA films. The young actors and actresses in this film don’t put on that great of a show, and even the films emotional high point misses hitting the mark. I did enjoy that each actor isn’t too well known for any particular part they’ve previously played outside of maybe Will Poulter who was in last years comedy juggernaut We’re the Millers. Even in the now saturated young adult genre this film seems unnecessary and boring. There’s better (and more interesting) films to see out now certainly. Go see one of those.

Our Grade: C-, It commits cinemas biggest sin by boring me to death. Sure September is often a crap shoot as the major studios go, but this was really a let down. I had hoped that this wouldn’t trope it’s way towards a finish sadly it did. One expected turn after another. Thankfully our next YA adaptation should be excellent, and it’s going to be The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt. 1. JLaw rarely let’s down!