Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials : Movie Review


Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015) - Movie Poster2014's "The Maze Runner" (based on the first in James Dashner's three-part YA fantasy book series) separated itself from the onslaught of dystopian book-to-movie adaptations such as "The Hunger Games" and "Divergent" by opting for mystery over exposition, told from the perspectives of characters stranded in a labyrinth-surrounded glade who had no memories beyond their first names. Their discoveries were the audience's, happening in intriguing, layer-peeling tandem. For second installment "The Scorch Trials," returning director Wes Ball and screenwriter T.S. Nowlin pick up exactly where the last left off, the films seamlessly seguing into each other. Unfortunately, the story this time pales in comparison, feeling shopworn and less vital as it tramples across sands and tropes. Much of the film consists of introductions to new characters, tidy descriptions of who they are, and explanations of what is going on—elements that were quickly handled up front in "The Maze Runner" or more organically disclosed as the film progressed. Also sorely missed: Blake Cooper, whose youngest-of-the-group Chuck was the arguable heart and soul of the predecessor.

Human rats who have adeptly fought off the deadly Grievers and found their way out of the maze in which they were trapped, Thomas (Dylan O'Brien), Teresa (Kaya Scodelario), Minho (Ki Hong Lee), Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Frypan (Dexter Darden) and Winston (Alexander Flores) are promptly helicoptered to a maximum security holding facility where they discover there are other teenagers just like them. Each day, a short list of names are revealed, the lucky few supposedly transported to a safe zone far away from the apocalyptic landscape outside. Thomas isn't so sure this is the case. Frustrated that Teresa has been cryptically separated from the group, he is already mistrustful of Dr. Janson (Aidan Gillen) and the rest of the medical and military personnel when another kid, Aris (Jacob Lofland), reveals to him their diabolical operation: they are harvesting maze survivors' bodies in hopes of finding a cure for the catastrophic flare virus. With no time to spare, Thomas finds Teresa and escapes with her and the rest of their friends into the harrowing desert scorch, an unforgiving wasteland where Dr. Janson warns they will not last one day.


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Author : Dustin Putman, TheFilmFile.com.