Scatterbrained Maze Runner Entertains

The unexpectedly intelligent Maze Runner leaves audiences with more questions than answers.

CONTINUITY

ARTH VADER (AV): Holding surprisingly true to the book of the same name by James Dasher, the young-adult post apocalyptic tale is the opening salvo of a trilogy. My kids all read the book series so I was odd-man out at the theater but given their–often audible–reactions, it appears the film tracked fairly well with its audience. Was that your experience, Pontificator? 

THE PONTIFICATOR (TP): The Maze Runner, like most books made into films, did not make the transition without some changes Vader. I’ll let avid readers of the books (your Sithling children) decide if they were minor to major ones (Ben being a runner, the look of the Grievers, no telepathy) but in the end, the film was not something totally unrecognizable from the book. It remains to be seen if future installments align more or diverge more, from the books they will be derived from.

CASTING, DIRECTING and ACTING

AV: With an entire squadron of fresh-faced up and comers, Maze Runner was rife with genuine, new pasty-faced, wide-eyed young Hollywood hopefuls. Director Wes “God I love Star Trek” Ball shared a cinematographic vision that is oddly gripping and carries the viewer through a very swiss-cheese storyline. Despite the many issues this film has–and believe me, there are many–the entertainment value is high. The story-pacing does well to move the shoddy screenplay forward. The acting is nothing to write home about, but their is magic here, and the cast feels engaged.

TP: Bring out your young up and coming actors, we have a teen movie to film! This is a great film to get some actors started as evidenced by there being no really big names in the film. Dylan O’Brien leads with help from Aml Ameen and Ki Hong Lee. All deliver good performances and the film flows well enough from the directing. My only issue was with the story, but I’ll get into that a little later.

SPECIAL EFFECTS

AV: I was expecting heavy-handed visual effects in Maze Runner, and by jove, P-Man, we got ‘em! The spider-like guardians (keepers) of the maze, imagined as some odd hybrid of monster and machine, was a well-handled visual effect. Watching the maze, shift and transform was an awesome spectacle. While not a particularly stunning visual effects film, the notable effects that were shown were quite well-handled.

TP: There were no breakthroughs in technology or new ground broken visually, but there were also no glaring mistakes (as far as I could see). The effects were good, heck, even great in those scenes where the landscape was the special effect. The film drew me in with a sense of being there, which helped given my grievances with the actual plot. 

TAKING A DEEPER LOOK

AV: This movie doesn’t require a lot of brain power to absorb. What’s nice is the feeling that there is a bigger plan in place. Why are these kids here? Why are there no girls (until the very first shows up near the end)? Why go through all the trouble to look these young boys and men away and have them fight for their lives and slog it out for their salvation against the elements, weird wild animals, and each other? Leaving me with more questions than answers is fine. My issues with this film are the inconsistent acting quality, even from individual actors and the goofy premise to the story. However, the film’s end offers a nice twist (again, didn’t read the book so the end was a surprise). The end of film does leave audiences in a kind of WTH moment and also leaves an interesting door open for a sequel (or sequels). P-Tiff?

TP: I was very excited about this film seeing the previews, not so much after seeing the film O’Dark One. I just don’t get it. A solar event has killed half the population of the planet and ravaged the surface. A virus had popped up soon after killing even more. To combat the virus, teenagers are put into a plush, green, thriving arena to be tested to engineer a cure for the virus? What? Um…why not just take them to a lab and test them biochemically? Obviously they have advanced technology to engineer the Grievers, a mesh of biology and technology. How is dumping these children into a maze, exposing them to dangerous conditions, even killing some of them, advancing the cure for the virus? Visually, the film was fun…intellectually, it made no sense. 

SEQUELS

AV: Its always odd to me when films come out with the intention of being the first of a trilogy, rather than being a solid film all its own. Maze Runner has been out for nigh on 5 weeks as of this blog post and has raked in just shy of $95 million. With a (reported) production budget of $34 million, that makes this a marginally profitable film with promise for a sequel. The real question to ask is, ‘would you see another installment of this film?” Yes, Ponty, yes I would.

TP: There are two more books in the trilogy, so I expect that as long as box office bottom line is viable (and its “just” according to the numbers), we will see those books on the silver screen. Hopefully the story improves.

RATE IT!

ARTH VADER Rates The Maze Runner: If you find yourself in need of overly trite teenage melodrama filled with man-boy actors trying to make sense of a non-sensical world–and let’s face it, who isn’t–then Maze Runner is for you. I can’t lie, I did enjoy this movie. Even with a cumbersome plot and lofty screenplay you can still have a good time. Engaging, if not brainless, Maze Runner earns six (6) busted, if not puzzling blocks.

THE PONTIFICATOR Rates The Maze Runner: The film was fun to watch visually, but the constant questions nagging me and the less-than-fulfilling answers that followed tainted this film for me. The story just doesn’t make sense and that says a lot for someone like me that often suspends logic and belief for the sake of entertainment. Leaving the maze was just the beginning, and this film only found six (6) busted blocks on the way to the exit.

Maze Runner:  6 / 10 Busted Blocks

Rhymes with Awesomeness!

JJ Abrams sends viewers ahead Warp Factor 9.5 with his latest Trekkie eye-gasm,Star Trek: Into Darkness.

WARNING! The post is riddled with spoilers! If you care even a hair about the film
and the story, please go see it first. You have been warned.

ON CONTINUITY

ARTH VADER (AV): This series of films puts a volley of photon torpedoes into the gut of any fan trying to follow any sort of continuity, especially with the earlier movies and TV shows. As the second installment of one of the most talked about franchise reboots in modern times, this movie continues a hyper-jazzed story arc that keeps the viewer riveted and left with no recourse but to hang on to their seat like a Ferengi meeting a new young girl. Ahem. Keeping true to the Star Trek cannon we're treated to everything from a trip to Kronos (gulp!) to a meeting with arguably the most famous single villain the Enterprise and her crew have EVER squared off against. Ponty? 

THE PONTIFICATOR (TP): Continuity is an interesting subject when it comes to the new Star Trek films Vader, since continuity is exactly what has been rewritten. Sure we have the same players as the original series, but they are being shown from a different perspective...and it’s surprisingly refreshing. The best part is that there is enough of the original continuity to ground the film in familiar territory, while taking us where no “Trek” has gone before.

CASTING, DIRECTING & ACTING:

AV: I gotta say, JJ Abrams continues to impress the living Tribbles out of me! As the entire cast returns, led by dreamy, heart throb bad-boy Chris Pine in his role as the iconic Captain Kirk, there are two notably stand-out performers I would mention. First, Zachary Quinto's work as the ever-emotionally unstable Spock is worth the price of admission alone. Going through extensive physical training for the climatic ending was duly noted and as my inspired moniker would say "most impressive." The other call out, Pontificator, is Benedict Cumberbatch as Khan Noonien Singh (gasp!) the iconic man-out-of-time and would-be worlds-conqueror. Abrams continues his fast-paced, high-energy camera work–complete with lens flares in nearly every major scene–to keep every moment relevant and engaging. Heck, even writing this I want to go see it again. Thoughts, Pont-man? 

TP: Indeed Vader, the entire cast has returned, and it’s no surprise that they have delivered stellar performances. The channeling of the original characterizations of the original cast has continued without being deliberate two dimensional copies. The direction of the film gave it a pace that was diversely exciting in delivering every aspect a great movie should have. The real story here though is Benedict Cumberbatch. Understand, I am a stalwart fan of Ricardo Montalbán’s rendition of Khan Noonien Singh (both in 1967 and 1982) and it will always be classic, but Cumberbatch has given the character new life... and made it his own.

SPECIAL EFFECTS

AV: As my daughter would say on the Facebooks "OMG!" Again, my favorite SFX treatment continues to be the sort that is not the story but enhances it. This could easily be one of those all souped-up sci-fi deals where it dazzles you with how good it looks in the absence of a story. That said, the trip to the Klingon homeward (Kronos) and the ensuing fight that follows is breath-taking. The bad-ass Klingon commandos are a rush and the mostly one-sided slugfest between the Enterprise and the giant Stealth Federation ship was spectacular. That's right, I said it… spectacular! And then there is the end fight sequence.. way over the top but a cargo-bay full of fun. Pontificator, my Ngo Jup* did you also feel the effects shots were Dun-yay**?

[*"pronounced No Jupe" from the Klingon meaning "old friend"]

[**"pronounced Dune-yay" from the Klingon for 'wonderful victory']

TP: Vader they were, in a word, superb. Honestly, I never expected anything less than superb as I knew this film would nail it in the SFX department. What went way beyond my expectations was seeing the film in an IMAX theater. All the things that bring the film to life (in this case sound and 3D) are like Khan...better! If you are going to watch a superior man wreak havoc for two hours, you might as well do it watching a superior picture with superior sound. The bar has been set very high here.

TAKING A DEEPER LOOK

AV: So let's talk about JJ Abrams' vision for Star Trek. While I am a lover of all things Sci-Fi, Star Trek has always been a distant second love to me from key genre franchises like BattlesStar Galactica, Alien and of course, Star Wars. Star Trek had always felt too stuffy, too 'Star Fleet' and too political so I was never quite able to get connected with the Trek universe. Maybe it's my ADD, maybe it's my inability to embrace Trekkie Culture but JJ's new twist makes me want to re-invest myself in the voyages and get all jiggy with the history again. And how about that Khan? I did NOT see that one coming and those of us who were able to relate to Star Trek II all but flew out of our seats for this unexpected development. A masterstroke of brilliance Mr. Abrams. How say you oh, Ponficatorious one? 

TP: I say the right mix of drama, action and comedy carry this film to the top of the summer blockbuster pile Vader-Nader. Now that this is established, allow me to “Trek” out on you. I looked very deeply in this film, and found a plethora of original Trek lore and homage to the original material...and loved it! From the appearance of the Klingons to the appearance of Tribbles, I found myself in Trekker heaven. There was even dialogue lifted from previous films and television episodes. The most telling was Kirk’s death scene which was a paraphrased flip of Spock’s death scene in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” Having seen this scene before made it no less dramatic or touching. In fact, it was the bridge to another sequence that answered a question I’ve had for a very long time... since Khan first appeared in the original series episode,“Space Seed.” I can’t be the only one that has been asking the question “Who would win in a fight between Spock and Khan?” I hope I’m not the only one thoroughly pleased with the (obvious) answer... after all, he did say he was better at... everything.

ON SEQUELS

AV: Bring 'em on! Already stoked for installment number three. It feels as though the highly anticipated "five-year-journey" is about to begin, as McCoy references near the end of the movie. This is a hot bed of opportunity for the franchise, you to "boldly go" where no set of movies have gone before. I eagerly anticipate the next film. Permission to board, Mr.Pontificator? 

TP: Permission granted O’ Dark One. Of course there will be more to come, but what do you do that will top the savage superiority of a classic villain that can take out an entire platoon of Klingons (ships included) all by himself? I would dread having to be the writer tasked with topping this film. That said, we can only hope what comes next continues to take us where no man has gone before.

RATE IT!

ARTH VADER rates Star Trek Into Darkness: Experiencing Star Trek Into Darkness is like eating a box of Pop Rocks and Drinking a 32 oz Mountain Dew—there's a lot of energy and it never really settles down once it starts. Fun, furiously witty and filled with lots of stuff for both beginning Trekkies as well as long-time Star Fleet veterans, this movie has loads of Moxey. If you can forgive the laughable scene where Quinto bellows "Khaaaan!" then bring the kids, bring the Romulans and bring high expectations because I saw reason not to beam 9.5 Busted Blocks directly onto the bridge. Engage.

THE PONTIFICATOR rates Star Trek Into Darkness: Truly the first summer blockbuster film, the bar has been set and the gauntlet has been thrown, challenging all other movies that follow. You don’t have to be a fan of the genre to enjoy it as it’s just one of the most entertaining films to grace the silver screen in a long time. I knew it was going to be a great film, I didn’t know that it would fire a spread of photon torpedoes (at warp speed) that totally incinerate nine and a half (9.5) interstellar blocks! A film genetically engineered to be superior. 

Star Trek: Into Darkness – 9.5 / 10 Busted Blocks: