Welcome to American Mosaic from VOA Learning English. I’m Caty Weaver.
This year has been a good one for teenage movie lovers. Hollywood has produced several films based on books aimed at young adults. “The Maze Runner” is the most recent. Movie goers in the United States bought more than $32 million worth of tickets last weekend for its opening.
“The Maze Runner” is based on a science fiction book of the same name by James Dashner. The book and movie tell about a boy who wakes up one day and cannot remember anything except his name: Thomas. He finds himself in a place called the Glade. It is a green, rural place and the home to many teenage boys. They all perform different jobs in order to survive. Just like Thomas, each boy has lost his memory.
Thomas’ job is to run through a maze, a place with many paths, but only one that leads out. Maze runners try to make maps of the maze, which surrounds the Glade, keeping the teenagers inside. But there are horrible, hungry creatures on the grounds that make a trip through the maze very dangerous.
Twenty-three-year-old actor Dylan O’Brien plays Thomas. He is best known for his part in the American television series, “Teen Wolf.” Dylan O’Brien has said he did not expect to get a part in “The Maze Runner.” But he told PopSugar.com that the part of Thomas was right for him. He said he thinks in the same way as his character. And he said the job of maze runner was fit him. He said he is good at running.
Movie critics have mixed opinions about “The Maze Runner.” Many critics have noted the movie’s similarity to the book “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding. That book tells about a group of boys who try to create a civil society after a plane crash leaves them alone on an island. But The Chicago Sun Times newspaper says “The Maze Runner” sends movie-goers on a “much different ride” that is “very satisfying.”
The New York Times notes that the movie leaves enough questions at the end to guarantee a second “Maze Runner.” That film is already in pre-production.
Have you seen “The Maze Runner?” What movies are popular for teens in your country? Let us know and practice your English writing skills at the same time. Leave your answer in the comments section below and we’ll provide feedback on your use of vocabulary and grammar.
I’m Caty Weaver. Thanks for joining us.
