Maze

I am disappointed, as an American, that I did not learn more about the Troubles from this movie. It's one of the reasons I watched it. Everything seemed to be skimmed over as if every viewer already had the knowledge needed. Wrong.

I tried to figure out how I would make this movie better and I can't - because I am not Northern Irish (Scottish). I do think this was a lost opportunity.

That's why the average score. None of the characters had depth, so we didn't really care about them. Maybe the Guard whose family was almost shot, but that's about it. Otherwise, can't tell you a thing about anyone else. How sad. How very sad for a missed opportunity to educate people to a VERY important period in Irish history.

Maze is a movie based on the biggest prison escape in Europe. A prison escape of 38 IRA members, a movie on how they planned and executed it. Even though the entire movie is in prison you really never have a dull moment. I doubt that there was not more tension between the Loyalists and the IRA members, like they portray it in this movie, but all in all it was not really about the hate towards eachother but more about the planning of the escape out of this maximum security prison. The cast was good, all the actors did what they were supposed to do. Maze is an entertaining movie that could have used a bit more violence and suspense to make it a better movie, but it's certainly worth watching.

No explosions or cartoonish special effects so I won't be surprised if it doesn't play well in the US. Factual learning experience, only wish they would have spent more time explaining the situation at that point in history for the younger crowd.

I was hoping this would have moved irish cinema forward a bit. Unfortunately it succeeded in doing the exact opposite.

There was a great lack of authenticity regarding the prison atmosphere, the supposed northern Ireland accents of some of the actors, the location( shot in Cork southern ireland and didn't care to hide that fact in the film). You would expect a prison drama to be a bit gritty and claustrophobic and maybe even instill a sense of menace. This felt more like an adult day care center where you could sit and drink a cup of tea with your custodian. Some performances worked but overall the film was embarrassing to watch as the amateurish holes appeared one after another.

Maze is an adaptation of the true story of the escape of IRA political prisoners from British captivity in Maze prison, Northern Ireland.

There's a thread of quiet tension about this film that's drawn ever tighter as the prisoners plans to escape intricately come together. At the same time there's a human tale on offer about the connection between people who on initial inspection appear to be on different sides of the bars.

The reality of course is everyone in Northern Ireland is in one way or another held prisoner by the larger conflict. This includes the warden and his family who has a friendship of sorts with the prison break mastermind Larry who is, in turn, obligated by his bonds with his fallen IRA comrades.

The acting in this film is understated but frankly quite excellent. Not for one moment was this film dull or boring and believe me, it could have been given the film takes place in the confines of the Maze prison.

One to watch. 8/10.