‘The Maze Runner’: Are the books better than the movie franchise?
We all know the ongoing “original book vs. movie adaptation franchise” discourse, but will there ever be a true, correct answer? Well, we’re going to have to say that it all depends on which series we’re talking about. Let’s take the Percy Jackson series for example, in which the movie adaptations were so horrendous that the film series never got a chance to make it past the first two book adaptations.
However, take another example such as The Hunger Games, in which both the book series and the movie adaptations were met with pretty critically high reviews, and the debate for whether the books or films are better holds fair arguments on both sides. Well, where does the verdict lie for The Maze Runner series? Do the movies compare to the original book series? Well, let’s take a look at some comparisons here.
Books vs. movies
The Maze Runner movies were based off of the original book series written by James Dashner. The series consists of five books which include The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure, and two prequel novels titled The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure and The Fever Code. There is also a novella for the series titled Crank Palace as well as a separate book titled The Maze Runner Files. A second novella is also reportedly in the works currently.
The Maze Runner movies franchise consists of adaptations of only the first three books, and are titled The Maze Runner, The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, and The Maze Runner: The Death Cure. The movie series stars some notable talents such as Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee, Will Poulter, Dexter Darden, and more. Wes Ball has directed all three films in the franchise.
So are the movies worth watching if you’ve already read The Maze Runner books, and vice versa? And all in all, which version is better, the print or the screen version? Well, although both are obviously based on the same story and plot, there are still some differences between the two that make both worth consuming. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest contrasts here. We will warn you though: tons of spoilers ahead!
The differences between the movies and the books
For now, we’re just going to take a peek at the biggest contrasting elements between the first movie and the first book alone, as there are already plenty of differences in that alone. We have to say though, if you haven’t watched either the movie or read the book and have no idea what the plot is about all together, you’re not going to understand a single word from here on out.
As for those that have done either or though, let’s begin. So one difference is that in the movie, Thomas already begins to have faint memories of his past life from the bat. After he relearns his names, he already begins to have past visions along with the constant voice in his head saying “Wicked is good”. Teresa also doesn’t spend most of the time in a coma-like state, and she wakes up almost immediately in the movie upon her arrival.
This of course is needed for the screenwriters to save condense the plot for a watchable movie length. Other notable differences is that Alby and Thomas get along quite well in the films, the serum to save those from a griever sting is a lot less accessible than it is in the books, and Thomas and Teresa are not actually telepathic in the movies. Thank goodness though, as the voiceover for that would probably have been cheesy.
These, of course, are just some of the many differences between The Maze Runner movies versus The Maze Runner books series. So now, for the ultimate question: are the books or the movies worth it more? Well, we have to say that all three movies were met with some mixed reviews critically, but simultaneously it received some relatively high reviews from general audiences.
The movies were praised for the fast-paced action, the twists and turns, and the cast were noted for their excellent acting. So we would have to say that our answer is that both are works of art that are definitely worth consuming. What are you waiting for now? Go on and enjoy The Maze Runner series, whether you choose the movies or the books!
