Movie Review: ‘The Maze Runner,’ Based on a Novel by James Dashner
THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Ben Kenigsberg
HOLLYWOOD---“The Maze Runner,” adapted from James Dashner’s novel, is a perfectly serviceable entry in the young-adult dystopian sweepstakes. It combines elements of “Lord of the Flies” with the Minotaur and Orpheus myths, but it plays as something closer to “The Hunger Games” experienced through a dissociative fog. Much suspense comes from wondering which favored Hollywood twist the movie will employ. Is this actually the present day? Has someone blown up the planet? The dime store explanations are unsatisfying, but the movie does its main job: raising curiosity for a sequel. Problem solved.[link]
By Ben Kenigsberg
HOLLYWOOD---“The Maze Runner,” adapted from James Dashner’s novel, is a perfectly serviceable entry in the young-adult dystopian sweepstakes. It combines elements of “Lord of the Flies” with the Minotaur and Orpheus myths, but it plays as something closer to “The Hunger Games” experienced through a dissociative fog. Much suspense comes from wondering which favored Hollywood twist the movie will employ. Is this actually the present day? Has someone blown up the planet? The dime store explanations are unsatisfying, but the movie does its main job: raising curiosity for a sequel. Problem solved.[link]
