This
weekend another book to movie adaptation was released and I was there to check
out The Maze Runner. I have been excited for this movie since I
first saw pictures for it. Now this
movie was supposed to be released back in February but it got moved back, I
understand they needed more time to finish the product and not rush it, I'm
glad. You don't want to rush something
with a huge set and a lot of moving parts.
Now I admit I had a lot going on and I did not have the chance to do
what I normally do and reread the book to have it fresh in my mind so book
specifics I was a tad bit hazy on but the overall plot/story was still there. I
didn't watch a lot of trailers beforehand because if I wasn’t going to get to
reread then I wanted to go in fresher. I
saw them once or twice and saw a lot that I remembered. So these are my thoughts on the movie.
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| See how similar they are |
The
first real pictures I saw about the movie were ones that reminded me of the
book cover and that has to be a positive thing right, to associate a photo of
the movie with the cover itself. I was a
bit leery of how they were going to bring a story like this to life and not
make it super cheesy. Being hazy and all
I know they did change some things and how it came into play or was relayed. I get it and I feel the overall plot of the
book and the story being told was provided to the audience very well. I didn't feel like I was missing anything or
that I was confused about what was happening at all, which sometimes with
movies involving new worlds can be an issue that is usually explained with an
info dump. But with the characters
arriving and having no memory, it worked out perfectly because as our main
character Thomas arrives they have to explain things to him and in turn to the
audience. You got a feel for The Glade
and the boys in it with their own type of language and the community they built
for themselves. The characters easily
came back to me and I was so happy to see some of them come to life and to see
them played by the cast chosen, Thomas, Newt, Teresa, Minho, Alby, Gally, and
little Chuck. They each had their own
little things that made them unique in the books and that shown through with
just how different they look and are built and the rolls they took on in the
culture of The Glade. Kudos to the
actors for great performances.
The
story is packed full of action and mystery as the Gladers try and figure a way
out and deal with the changes happening around them. When I saw action we get to see the Grievers and
they were just as icky as I imagined when reading. Something is constantly going on and moving
there isn't any dull or dead space. They
packed the almost 2 hours with everything it needed and nothing it didn't. I felt the time just flew by. I also liked the change to the mazes and how
it made a little more sense for the audience and the 3D map was way
cooler. Also there is a lot of running
in this film, running for answers, for safety, for escape, basically I wouldn't
survive in this world but it did make me want to start doing cardio again, so
that's pretty nifty also.
If
you didn’t know The Maze Runner is
book 1 of a trilogy (with a prequel
companion novel), and I really hope we get to see the other movies. They left it like in the book where you want
more and are anxious for it. Trust
me. I originally read The Maze Runner shortly after it first
came out. I really enjoyed it and was
counting down the days until book 2, there was a cliffhanger afterall. Then on that day I planned my shopping trip
around it, as at the time I lived 30 miles from the closest Walmart or Books
A Million. I went in all happy and no one in my area had
it, neither Walmart (there are 2), not Sam's Club (where I got book #1
originally), or the only actual book retailer Books A Million. I was in shock and in need of this book, I'd
been waiting for it after all. So thanks
to smart phones I was able to locate a B&N about an hour from my apartment (opposite
direction of where I was at the moment), and called to confirm they had it in
stock, even made the guy go get it and physically hold it in his hand for me to
make sure it was not a computer error.
Hey it was a long drive for a book.
Well
I went to my apartment dropped off my groceries, because yes I still did get
those while searching for my book, and asked my friend/co-worker/neighbor who
knew about my plan to purchase that book on release day to come with. She said yes, even though she teased me a bit
about my determination for a book, and we went off on our little mini road trip
for a book. Yes I drove over 3 hours in
total looking book 2 but I found it and I had a good time on my journey. We ended up doing some early Christmas
shopping at shops we don’t normally see, plus being B&N is huge bought more
than the one book, as well and had dinner and a pretty amazing time driving
around someplace new.
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| The Scorch Trials is the one I went on my adventure for. |
I
admit these books have a special spot in my heart and some great memories to go
with them. I will always associate this
series with good times. I find I have
some memorable stories about obtaining or reading the majority of the books I
have and I think that makes it special.
That when I look at my bookshelf I have nothing but happiness and fond
memories for the experiences themselves but also with the stories and pretty
covers.
Due
to work schedules and jazz I was unable to get my friend up to come see it with
me, being she was off the previous weekend for my Birthday (she's an awesome
friend). But I have advised her she will
be seeing it so we can discuss. In the
movie, being alone I was also able to people watch. I could tell that the majority of the people
in there did not read the book, everyone seemed shocked by the end saying they
left it open for a sequel. I helpfully
advised it was the first book in a trilogy by James Dashner and to check them
out. Everyone seemed to enjoy the movie
and clearly they were unfamiliar with the books. I think the best book to movie adaptations
are the ones that don't leave non-readers feeling like they didn’t understand
it completely. That being said I give
this movie 5 Stars for both the
movie and an A+ for movie
adaptation. Anyone can enjoy this movie
so if you didn't get into the book or haven't had the chance yet you can still
enjoy the movie.
So
Greenies share your thoughts. Have you
already seen the movie? Read the
series? What did you think?
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