I saw The Maze Runner today. I didn’t know what to expect as I have yet to read the novels. My friend has said a lot was changed in it. Also, people on Tumblr in the Maze Runner tags have complained about it. And it reminds me of why I make an active choice not to compare books and movies of books to each other, because it just ruins my enjoyment.
There is only one movie of a book that I will complain of ruining a story and that’s My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Piccoult. [Read the book and watch the movie and compare the endings; there are other changes but I don’t think they affected the plot as much as the endings…]
Anyway, The Maze Runner. I’m not good at being unbiased in reviews. But, I’ll start with one thing. I love Dystopian storylines that feature young people. I think it’s a great genre to target toward young adults because in a sense these movies [The Hunger Games, Divergent, TMR] are at the bare bone basics about identity and growing up and maturing, and that’s what’s going on in a teen and young adult’s world. I also think it’s scarily close to reality as these things could really happen. If we had the technology and nous for it.
That aside. The acting was brilliant. Dylan O’Brien [who played Thomas] was a great lead, though I have to be honest, I couldn’t take my eyes off Thomas Brodie-Sangster [who played Newt]. But, more on him soon.
The character of Thomas was many-layered. He was inquisitive, strong, caring. The friendship he struck up with Chuck was sweet. His characterisation of a young man thrown into a situation that was unknown made me think of Lord of the Flies in a way. He is Ralph. [Read Lord of the Flies, you’ll catch my drift…Chuck is to Thomas as Piggy is to Ralph].
Alby, I wanted to know more about. Though he was the leader, I didn’t really get that vibe from him. I got that more from Newt. But, again, I’ll get to him soon.
Gally [played by that guy who played Eustace in the Narnia movie]…his eyebrow game was strong…haha. He was a foil to Thomas’ character. An obstacle to Thomas’ goals. He acted the belligerent, reluctant, angry person well.
Chuck. The only thing I have to say to him is, why? Why is it always the compassionate, kind ones? And why always the chubby ones? [He had a lot of spunk and courage though].
Minho. I was watching his expressions throughout most of the movie and the way he went from disinterest, to interest, to respect of Thomas. It feels like they became close friends.
Teresa. I don’t think she was developed well enough…but that seems to be the issue with female roles that aren’t major. Though I loved how the guys all reacted to her.
Finally. Newt. Played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster. Can I just say, he totally jumped out at me. His character absolutely screams Robert Douglas [but I’ll get to that in a moment]. He was my favourite character; the quiet strength that speaks of hidden steel. He looks scrawny but that was misleading. His strength was in his character and personality. And, you could tell he could be ruthless when he needed to be.
Speaking of Thomas BS, he’s 24 apparently, and he definitely doesn’t look his age. I would never have guessed that, he looks like a teenager.
So, now I’m going to explain the Newt (TBS) Robert Douglas connection.
I don’t usually depict my original characters using actors or celebs or famous people. Not deliberately at least. But, it happens sometimes. [Jim Sturgess is Elliott Preston; Pierre Bouvier is Pips Preston; Alex O’Loughlin is Daniel McTavish.] And, now Newt [TBS] is Robert Douglas.
Robert ‘Robbie’ Douglas is a Rebel of Scotland; youngest brother of Gordon Douglas who is the Rebel King. Robbie is the only one of the Douglas brothers who isn’t dark haired. He is sometimes known as the chameleon and is the only one who was ever serious about school. Newt as portrayed by TBS is exactly how Robbie is, and I never realised it until I saw the movie. It just clicked. Couldn’t unsee it once it got stuck into my mind. [Except that Robbie’s choice of weapon is the sling, I’m sure Newt would be good with one too…]
