Dave Made a Maze

Couldn't resist the Warren/Buffy reference.

I loved this film. Right from the opening scene it's clear that the rule book has been jettisoned, and we're in for a trip down the rabbit hole. Dave made a maze. It's bigger than it looks. He warned his friends and girlfriend not to go in after him.

Honestly this is a brilliant piece of creativity. The deadpan comedy is spot on (especially from the documentary crew), and it's visually stunning. There's so many great ideas crammed into each scene, and I could hardly take my eyes off it due to simply not knowing what was coming next. It's surreal, but the lead keeps it somehow anchored in normality.

This is a bizarre little world that is a pleasure to experience. A charming film that I'll definitely watch again.

The gorgeous images deserve that you watch this film.

The dreadful dialogues might ruin the moment for you, however.

Now I'll just develop a bit, so you can skip if it's TLDR : I don't know if the same person conceived the visuals and wrote the text, but the former are wonderful while the latter is unbearable. The maze's sets, effects, even costumes are imaginative and fantastic. They keep the promises that made you curious about watching the film.

The dialogue, on the other hand, is written by a slacker. It's the kind of film where the line you hear the most is "Are you okay ?" surrounded by countless other platitudes and a distinct lack of real emotion. Drivel, simply put. Vapid, out of place, lazy, oafish, and much, much less. That's what makes the story. That's also what makes the viewing an ordeal. Thus I can't be sure about the actors : I have a bud of an opinion, but in their defense they had to work with trash.

Likely, you can't predict if you'll endure the talking, which way it will tip your balance. I'm feeling generous, thanks to the handcraft, and I think Jim Henson would have approved.

I like the sense of humor in Dave Made a Maze--for the most part. Here and there it gets a little TOO silly, but most of the time, the nonsense works. It really looks like they took a LOT of time making the sets, and there are some really awesome designs in there. It keeps topping itself as it goes. I liked most of the performances too, especially Annie. Very quirky but fun.

Wow. I'm confused. What was that? Horror? Comedy? Adventure? It was rubbish!!

But wait, I watched it all the way through and was glued to it. Yep, it has no well known actors, along with first time directors and story tellers, and that showed somewhat in the 'occasional' lack of professionalism.

However, It was the most original movie I've seen in years. I had no clue what was coming next and had no idea what was happening. But then I didn't need to, didn't want to and kept wanting to watch. Isn't that exactly what a movie should be?

Well with a watch. It's good to be different.

This isn't a horror film. But there are elements that make it seem like a Saw film if the Muppets directed one. Seems like a metaphor on the pointlessness of life and trying to find meaning with a bunch of geeks in a cardboard labyrinth, including a minotaur, looking how to find purpose. But very fun! Light fare with just an ounce of a larger meaning that the characters are able to enhance in their acting.