The first novel adaptation in James Dashner’s dystopian series, does not leave it’s audience unsatisfied. Director Wes Ball keeps the audience on its toes by maintaining an intensely nerve-racking atmosphere and putting the main characters in recurring danger. The New York Times best seller which centers around life threatening struggles faced by a group of teenagers walled inside The Glade — a clearing in the middle of the maze.

The film hits the floor running quite literally, when the protagonist, Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) sprints from the cage he is transported to the concrete surrounded meadow in. He quickly discovers that he not only can’t remember his name but the rest of the people trapped with him find themselves in a similar predicament — with severe amnesia.

Characterized by being overwrought with strain and reducing the viewer to a bundle of nerves, the resulting thrill is captivating enough to keep you entertained for nearly two hours. Comparable to one of the few above-average young adult novels such as “The Hunger Games” in their race for survival, it is also reminiscent of William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies,” when pigheaded and ruthless acting leader Gally (Will Poulter) takes to behaving like a savage.

Although there are some holes in the storyline, especially for someone who has not read the books, it definitely left the fans of the trilogy frustrated and wanting more as the filmmakers plainly set the stage for its promising sequel.

The one slightly unfavorable factor in the film was the stereotypical evil corporate mastermind and the rather redundant female lead, Teresa (Kaya Scodelario who has proven her talent in British series “Skins,” and “Emmanuel and the Truth about Fishes.”), who’s performance was rather bland. Following a string of action films recently released I will say that I was surprised that despite being a much anticipated movie, the theater was half empty.