TLDR;
Jeremy Jahns reviews "The Maze Runner," a movie about adolescent youths trapped in a mysterious maze. While he finds the movie entertaining with intense chase scenes and a compelling sense of isolation, he criticizes its implausibility, premature glimpses into the larger world, and a particularly disappointing ending. Despite its flaws, he considers it a worthwhile experience, especially for the environment and suspense.
- The movie creates a strong sense of isolation and suspense with its maze environment.
- Intense chase scenes are a highlight.
- The ending is a major letdown and undermines the entire story.
- Premature glimpses into the outside world diminish the intrigue.
- Overall, it's an entertaining but flawed movie experience.
Intro [0:01]
Jeremy Jahns introduces "The Maze Runner," comparing it unfavorably to "Labyrinth," particularly in terms of iconic villains. He jokes that the challenges in "The Maze Runner" are less formidable than the "Bowie bulge" from "Labyrinth."
Plot Overview [0:22]
The movie centers on a group of adolescent youths trapped in a field surrounded by a massive maze. They have no memories of their past and are trying to find a way out. The arrival of a new guy stirs things up, challenging the status quo. The arrival of a female character raises questions about the logic of introducing a female into a group of adolescent males who have been isolated for a long time.
Positives [1:30]
Jahns appreciates the movie's tone and the feeling of confinement experienced by the characters. The setting, a large field surrounded by an imposing maze, effectively conveys their isolation. He praises the intense chase scenes, which are a key element of a movie called "The Maze Runner."
Negatives [2:28]
He criticizes the movie for its implausibility and failure to maintain intrigue. Jahns had hoped for a "Lord of the Flies"-type scenario, but the movie doesn't fully explore the breakdown of order and civilization. The movie reveals too much too soon, diminishing the mystery. The ending is particularly disappointing, unraveling the entire story and rendering it nonsensical.
Ending Criticism [3:39]
Jahns expresses strong dissatisfaction with the ending, describing it as illogical and destructive to the overall narrative. He jokingly suggests a better ending would involve the characters discovering they were running the maze to answer the question of whether people hate the McRib.
Final Thoughts [4:06]
Despite its flaws, Jahns acknowledges that "The Maze Runner" is still a good time, with a compelling environment and characters to root for. He suggests that removing the flashbacks might improve the movie. He recommends leaving before the last 10 minutes to avoid the disappointing ending.
Outro [4:46]
Jahns asks viewers to share their thoughts on the movie in the comments. He also promotes his channel and encourages viewers to watch more of his content.