Maze

The worst movie u will ever watch. The story is good but the way they filmed it and the characters are very F bad.

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.

The true events are far more compelling than the events depicted in this film. Why the producers went down this route is beyond me. As a fictional story it is quite a good film, but for anyone with knowledge of actual events it will be a disappointment.

Some may regard this movie as too slow-paced, but I thought it had enough suspense and tension to keep me engaged throughout.

The acting from the 3 leads Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Barry Ward, and Martin McCann was quite solid, and the film was ably written and directed by Stephen Burke.

In some ways, the movie reminded me of the 1963 classic "The Great Escape".

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.