The Maze Runner

****
UK Release Date: October 10th 2014

Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they're all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow "runners" for a shot at escape.

Director: Wes Ball

Starring: Dylan O'Brien, Aml Ameen, Will Poulter, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee

Young adults of the world are being spoilt by Hollywood. First came The Hunger Games, then Divergent, and now The Maze Runner. All are dynamic and virtuous in their own ways, with TMR sticking out with plenty of worth.

It smacks you hard in the face from the moment it opens its doors. It starts with a teenager in a dark lift, on his way up to no one knows. The suspense kills already as we're just as isolated as he is. Tensions continue to soar as the lift's doors eventually open to a wide, open glaze surrounded by high walls. Staring at the newcomer are a bunch of other youngsters (all of which are male). He can't remember a thing, apart from later on his name, which turns out to be Thomas (Dylan O'Brien).

Like all the others, Thomas has to start life without memories, just as we have no choice but to find out the answers when he does. The unveiling of the narrative as time stretches on is what makes The Maze Runner so successful. We aren't spoon fed; début director Wes Ball believes we have what it takes to work it out, just as Thomas eventually does. 

All the problems that Thomas faces are questioned from beginning to end (why are we here, what's beyond those walls?), but not all of them are fully answered. That's because, just like The Hunger Games and Divergent, it's the first in a number of films to come, but maybe not exactly as the books/authors intended them to be. Its success may lead to a two part finish.

Part of The Maze Runner's success is down to the actors. Some are relatively known (Will Poulter in We're the Millers and Thomas Brodie-Sangster in Game of Thrones) but others not so much. We're given the chance to see everyone as equals. This means no one's safe. Performances are greatly enjoyable. The only downside that effects their deliverance is those minor parts we see coming. They take a fistful of emotion out of the experience. 

Far grittier than other YA films, The Maze Runner is one to keep a keen eye on. Once The Hunger Games has been and gone, this will be the leader in the ever expanding genre.