‘The Maze Runner’: Early Reviews Describe A Ho-Hum Experience

The Maze Runner is presently slated to hit theaters across North America on September 19. However, if early reviews are any indication, you may want to wait until this one hits your favorite streaming service before giving it a go.

Based on the novel by James Dashner, The Maze Runner tells the story of a group of teenagers who attempt to their fate in a dystopian future. Where else? To do so, they’ll need to navigate a seemingly endless maze. The film, director by newcomer Wes Ball, stars Dylan O’Brien (Teen Wolf), Kaya Scodelario and Will Poulter.

The folks over at 20th Century Fox — who are already working on a sequel — are seriously hoping fans of young adult post-apocalyptic fiction will fork over large wads of cash to catch the flick on the big screen on opening weekend. The question remains: Is The Maze Runner any good? Should you bother paying good money for an expensive ticket at your neighborhood multiplex? That really depends on who you ask right now.

Variety critic Ella Taylor suggest you could do much worse than The Maze Runner. Although she doesn’t climb to the nearest mountaintop and boldly proclaim her undying love for the adaptation, Taylor’s review is mostly positive.

“Though the pacing drags a bit in the first hour and there’s not much character development unless you count the cast’s bicep-building hours at the gym, Wes Ball’s feature debut builds solidly to an exciting battle finale and a big reveal that doubles as coming-of-age parable. Though the addition of a lone girl feels tacked on, if the film doesn’t beef up the summer’s watery box office, it won’t be for lack of female bums in seats. Girls flock to action and horror these days, especially when they come plentifully stocked with the comely likes of ‘Teen Wolf’s’ Dylan O’Brien and his band of muscled bros.”

Unfortunately, reviewer Alonso Duralde over at The Wrap couldn’t muster nearly as much love for The Maze Runner. While Duralde praised casting director Denise Chamian for stuffing the movie with interesting actors, the story itself ultimately leads “nowhere interesting.” Of course, your opinion could vary, especially if you like muscles.

“‘The Maze Runner’ has “Lord of the Flies” (stripped of all socio-political context) and even a bit of “The Cabin in the Woods” in its DNA, but the progression of the plot drags it toward being just another YA adaptation…. For its first half or so, [the movie] tells a captivating tale of survival and weaves a potentially interesting mystery. Once its path become clear, however, you realize this is a puzzle you’ve worked out before.”

Are you planning to catch The Maze Runner in cinemas on September 19?

[Lead image via 20th Century Fox]