From Page to Screen (76) The Maze Runner
This week on From Page to Screen I'll be tackling The Maze Runner by James Dashner.
First Let's Discuss The Book
Here is a bit of back story in case some of you aren't familiar with the novel. The Maze Runner is a book written by Author James Dashner and was published in October 2007 by Delacorte Press. The Maze Runner follows the story of a boy named Thomas who is brought into a place known as the Glade, with no memories except for his name. Upon release, The Maze Runner received widespread praise from critics and readers alike.
Let's take a look at some of the characters now
Thomas - The protagonist of the story. Thomas arrives in the Glade with no knowledge of who he is or was besides his name. Thomas proves to be brave, loyal, and clever, with isolated telepathic powers and a very limited memory of previous knowledge of the Maze. Soon after arriving in the Glade, Thomas makes both friends and enemies amongst the Gladers.
Alby - The leader of the Gladers, Alby has authority over much of what goes on in the Glade. He is hot-headed but experienced. Only those Gladers who have been around the longest ever see fit to question Alby's decisions.
Newt - Newt is a tall, muscular boy with long blonde hair who operates as second in command in the Glade. Sarcastic and direct, Newt befriends Thomas early on and spends time explaining the way the Glade and Maze work to him. As Alby's leadership begins to erode, Newt steps in to fill the gap and support Thomas's plans to escape the maze.
Chuck - A chubby boy who is assigned to be Thomas's guide. Chuck is awkward and one of the youngest Gladers. He is talkative, innocent and naive, and though he is also annoying at times Thomas comes to see Chuck as a friend and even as a sort of younger brother.
Teresa - A teenage girl who mysteriously arrives in the Glade the day after Thomas. Before slipping into a coma she tells everyone that everything is about to change. Thomas is sure that he knows Teresa from before, but due to his memory loss cannot remember. Later, it is revealed that she shares a telepathic link with Thomas.
Now let's discuss the movie
In case some of you aren't familiar with the film, here is a bit of back story. The Maze Runner is a science fiction action thriller directed by Wes Ball and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It was released September 19th 2014 and received favorable reviews from critics. The Maze Runner cost $34 million to produce and has grossed over $148 million worldwide so far. On October 11, 2013, it was reported that Fox had acquired the rights to the second book,The Scorch Trials. A screenplay will be written by T. S. Nowlin, with director Wes Ball supervising the scriptwriting.
Major Differences Between The Book Film
Book | Film |
---|---|
The Gladers create maps of the maze that they study. | The Gladers create a large model that they use to study the maze. |
Beetle Blades watch the Gladers and report back what they find to the creators. | They do not do this. |
Theresa is unconscious for several days after arriving in the maze. | Theresa wakes up shortly after arriving. |
Thomas can only remember his name upon entering the glade. | He has no memories of who he is or where he came from. |
The current Gladers have been stuck in the maze two years. | They have been stuck in the maze three years. |
Serums were available in case anyone was stung. | Serums weren't available until Theresa arrives with two in her pocket. |
Ben was banished to the maze wearing a collar attached to a long pole. | Ben was banished to the maze surrounded by other gladers brandishing weapons. |
Alby and Thomas butt heads from the moment he arrives. | Alby and Thomas get along almost immediately. |
Thomas and Minho kill the grievers by sending them off the cliff to survive the night in the maze. | Thomas and Minho survive the night in the maze by crushing a griever between two walls. |
Thomas and Minho find a griever hole which proves to be key in escaping the maze. | The gladers find a device in a dead griever which they realize is a key to the maze. |
Thomas and Theresa can communicate telepathically. | This is omitted. |
When the grievers escape the maze they pick off gladers one by one. | When the grievers escape the maze they attack all at once killing many in the chaos. |
Well that about wraps up this weeks From Page To Screen. I know I've missed a few differences specifically at the end but since the film is so new I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't seen it yet. So I guess that begs the question,Which do I like better? Honestly, it's a tie. I really love what they've done with the film even though it doesn't follow the book exactly but on the other hand the book is just so good it is definitely worth reading. I'm super excited to hear that they've decided to move ahead with the sequel because this is one series that I definitely think has potential for the long haul unlike another famous non Hunger Games related dystopians recently released. Definitely check out the film if you haven't yet and if you haven't read the book certainly do because you'll miss a lot of secondary character back story if you don't.
Still not convinced? Check out the trailer below!
Well that about wraps up this weeks From Page To Screen. Have a recommendation for an upcoming From Page To Screen, let me know in the comments below!
Have you read the book or watched the film?
Which did you like better? Why?
What is your favorite quote or scene from The Maze Runner?
Leave your answers in the comments below, I love to read your responses. Like what you see? Please share!
I think most of the differences aren't ones that affect the story majorly. I think they kind of work for a movie. I really enjoyed the movie as well, and think it is one of the best book to film adaptations of the year. It had actually been so long since I'd read the book, I'm sure I didn't remember some of those differences. Great review!
ReplyDeleteYeah I think most of the changes work as well. I understand the readers who want an exact carbon copy, I do. On the other hand, I also think sometimes a book turned film can benefit from small changes when bringing it to life on screen as it can help a non reader of the book understand the goings on better.
ReplyDeleteI've been going back and forth on whether I wanted to read this or not. Sounds like I need to! I think I may attempt the audio, though.
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely read this one! Let me know how the Audio is if you do.
ReplyDelete