Film Preview: The Maze Runner (2014)

Poster

Poster #1

Additional posters can be found below.

Trailer Link

Release Date:

September 19, 2014

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they’re all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow “runners” for a shot at escape.”

Poster: B- / B- / C / C / C+ / B- / C+ / B- / C- (3) / C+ / C / C+ (5)

Review: (#1-#2) The two primary designs for the film feature the maze in context. While I like the general tone of the second design better, the first features more compelling overhead visuals of the maze and better sets its young protagonists against the backdrop of the film’s premise. (#3) A character poster without matching designs. There may be others out there, but I haven’t seen them. The background is present, but largely devoid of perceptible (not visual) depth

(#4-#7) The next four designs take the maze concept and employ it as a motif that ranges from thoroughly and disappointingly simplistic (#4) to fitting, but bland (#5). One is too difficult to read (#7) and the other does some nice conjuring of Hitchcock (#6). (#8) The perilous nature of the maze and the ability of runners to step outside of the maze with success is embodied with the eighth design, which is one of the better ones.

(#9-#11) Here are three character posters with distinctive taglines, but largely indistinct backdrops, making them blend effortlessly together, which in this case isn’t a good thing. (#12) Another solid effort sets the maze to towering control over the film’s young stars, though it feel too posed and perfected to be of visual value. (#13) The last design takes the running motif and digs into a fit of boredom with it.

(#12-#18) Five new character posters, with only slight variances to the background, these are more appealing to young audiences wanting to see what their stars will look like. The choice of images isn’t particularly compelling, but at least they tried unique poses for each.

Trailer: C

Review: The trailer establishes a palpable mystery tension for the film, but doesn’t give adequate emotional connectiveness to the characters. These are almost interchangeable young actors who can’t even trade on their physical differences to feel separate. In addition, there are some semi-thrilling moments that ultimately add up to very little.