The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner almost needs to be awarded two different star ratings. One for those who've read James Dashner's source novel and those that are going in fresh.

This is the next Hunger Games and knows it, it hits all the same notes and thrives on its young and mostly new cast.

It's set to become a massive franchise similar to Suzanne Collins' finest and, like those movies, I hope the second Maze Runner takes a step up from this one.

The problem here is the length. It's actually too short; there's just not enough time to delve deep into this world and give it the polish and realism that the book does.

Characters dive in and out and the events span about three days which makes the entire thing seem a little silly come the end.

The actors are great and the effects amazing; the maze and the grievers are everything you would want if you've read the novel and the great ending hits hard but it's the little details that are missed that disappoint.

I won't give too much away here but I'd advise watching this first then buying a copy of the book to devour and delve deeper into the world Dashner has created.

Not quite a missed opportunity but smacks a little of disappointment if you enjoyed the book first.

3 stars ***