For all the parents who don’t read their teen’s books first (and that would be nearly all of us), what are your first thoughts when you wonder what The Maze Runner could possibly be about? Maybe a mouse looking for cheese? Or perhaps your brain is nudged—correctly—by thoughts of the Minotaur in the labyrinth.
The Maze Runner does indeed share qualities with that ancient Greek myth. Similar to the Athenian kids sent into the labyrinth, kids are abducted and wake up in a place called the Glade: the only way out is through a maze. Like the murderous half bull/half man roaming the Greek maze, the killer creatures (called Grievers) lurking in the Glade's maze passageways are half monster/half mechanics. Also, the brave youth who volunteers to try and conquer the maze and the beast is named Thomas (*cough cough* Theseus). Thomas is encouraged to attempt the maze after literally “getting a clue” from the only girl who's ever appeared in the Glade.
Interestingly, The Maze Runner isn’t the only teen book turned movie that leans upon the Greek story of the labyrinth. The setup of The Hunger Games borrows from the concept as well. The myth says that to prevent Crete from attacking Athens to right a wrong, the kings negotiated a deal: every nine years, Athens would send seven boys and seven girls to serve as “tributes,” to be put into the maze with the Minotaur. Theseus (like Thomas and Katniss Everdeen) volunteers to be a tribute, hoping that he can prevent more loss of life. The similarities don’t end there: all three of these stories are well-crafted thrillers and can be terrifying to young viewers, particularly because they feature kids being killed in a horrific way. Call me Ariadne; I'm just giving you a heads up.
Here are three more movies to see with your family this weekend:
Dolphin Tale 2. This multigenerational pleaser manages to turn a story about coping with death and depression into an uplifting, inspiring and empowering film.
When the Game Stands Tall. The De La Salle Spartans, the sports world’s winningest team, are a shining example to kids that the qualities we parents try to instill in them – responsibility, accountability, dependability, commitment and humility –actually bring success.
The Giver. Junior high students, rejoice! The required reading fave that questions “Is ignorance really bliss?” finally makes it to the big screen.
Read Tara’s parent reviews at ThatWasSomething.com. Find out what kids think about these films at KidsPickFlicks.com, where all kids are movie critics!
