Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015) | Movie News & Review

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MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS (2015) MOVIE NEWS & REVIEW

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MAZE RUNNER: THE scorch trials (2015) moviE

Genre | Science Fiction

Classification | M

Running time | 133 minutes

Released | 10 September 2015

cast

Dylan O'Brien ... Thomas
Ki Hong Lee ... Minho
Kaya Scodelario ... Teresa
Thomas Brodie-Sangster ... Newt
Dexter Darden ... Frypan
Alexander Flores ... Winston
Jacob Lofland ... Aris
Rosa Salazar ... Brenda
Giancarlo Esposito ... Jorge
Patricia Clarkson ... Ava Paige
Aidan Gillen ... Janson

director

Wes Ball

writer

T.S. Nowlin ... (screenplay by)

James Dashner ... (based upon the novel "The Scorch Trials" by)

cinematographer

Gyula Pados

music

John Paesano

film editor

Dan Zimmerman

box office result

Worldwide $312,325,103

Australia $9,812,639

North America $81,697,192

the best dialogue

Winston: It's... okay...
Thomas: [Thomas cries and turns back] Sorry...
Winston: Thomas... Take care of them...
[Thomas nods and leaves]
Winston: [as the group leaves, a gunshot is heard]

Blondie: Here. Drink this.
Thomas: What is it?
Blondie: The price of admission.

Vince: Hey, kid, look around you. Alright? WICKED just kicked our ass. You think about where you're headed...
Thomas: I'm not asking anyone to come with me.
Newt: Thomas, listen to me. I've known Minho for... well, as long as I can remember. So if there is any way we could help him, trust me, I would be up there standing next to you. This, what you're talking about, is impossible.
Jorge: More like suicide.
Thomas: Maybe. But I know what I'm supposed to do now. It's not just about Minho. It's about all of us. It's about everyone WICKED's ever taken, everyone they will take. They'll never stop. They'll never stop, so, I'm gonna stop them. I'm gonna kill Ava Paige.
Harriet: I have to admit... I'd like some revenge.
Vince: Well, that's a good speech, kid. So what's your plan?

MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS (2015) MOVIE IMAGES

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MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS (2015) STORY SYNOPSIS

Transported to a remote fortified outpost, Thomas and his fellow teenage Gladers find themselves in trouble after uncovering a diabolical plot from the mysterious and powerful organization WCKD. With help from a new ally, the Gladers stage a daring escape into the Scorch, a desolate landscape filled with dangerous obstacles and crawling with the virus-infected Cranks. The Gladers only hope may be to find the Right Hand, a group of resistance fighters who can help them battle WCKD.

MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS (2015) MOVIE REVIEW

Reviewed by Mark Geraghty | Review date 10 September 2015
Pop Movee Rating ⭐⭐⭐

MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS picks up almost immediately after the concluding events of the first film: THE MAZE RUNNER. Thomas (Dylan O’Brien), Teresa (Kaya Scoledario) and the rest of the ‘Gladers’ have managed to escape the dangers of the ‘Maze’ and the clutches of the ridiculously-named WCKD, only to find themselves being put-up by another shadowy, para-military group led by Janson (Aiden Gillen). As surprisingly enjoyable as the 2014 film was, the second feature film instalment of the James Dashner novels doesn’t quite deliver enough of a self-contained story for it to be entirely enjoyable or comprehensible.

At 133 minutes, THE SCORCH TRIALS has more than enough time to lay down a plot and develop the main characters in a considered manner that delivers a wholly-satisfying film and creates anticipation for the next film in the series. Unfortunately, both Screenwriter T.S. Nowlin and Director Wes Ball are unable to sustain the tension and mystery of the first film, as the ‘Gladers’ escape into a bigger, brighter world both literally and figuratively places them under the glare of the bright light. At different times throughout the Second and Third Act, THE SCORCH TRIALS drifts aimlessly, as Thomas and his group search for the “Red Arm” resistance movement that can help them uncover their true identities and, perhaps, give them a place to call home.

The film features one extremely well staged set-piece with a collapsed skyscraper, which has been a feature of its marketing campaign. Wes Ball elicits some of the better moments from the first film and transposes them into the segment, as Thomas and new recruit Brenda (Rosa Salazar) are chased by ‘Cranks’; humans who have been affected by the ‘Scorch’ sun flares and have transformed into zombies. (Yes, that’s right. You read correctly. Zombies…) If expectations are raised in these moments, then the viewers hopes are somewhat dashed in the scenes immediately after, as the story drops back a gear and engages in some absinthe-like induced psychosis that has Thomas experiencing all sorts of strange visions.

The majority of the cast from the first film return and, other than O’Brien and Scoledario, Ki Hong Lee returns as Minho, Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Newt and Dexter Darden as Frypan. This time around though, there’s less of a focus on the ‘Gladers’, as the broader scope of the story introduces new characters. Giancarlo Esposito as Jorge and Rosa Salazar as his daughter Brenda provide an interesting diversion mid-way through the film with some bizarre antics. Lili Taylor makes an appearance late in the film and Jacob Lofland as Aris becomes a suspiciously-regarded newcomer to the ‘Gladers’ group.

Given the success of THE MAZE RUNNER, which was due, in a large part, to the efforts of Ball and his young cast in promoting the film through avenues such as San Diego Comic-Con, it’s hard not to be a little disappointed by the follow-up. A larger budget and greater screen time have not translated into a better film than the first. The lack of clarity about what is going on in the story may frustrate some viewers and deviations from the novel (albeit with Author Dashner’s blessing) may alienate fans of the book series. There are strong moments and sequences, but the impact of these is diminished by what transpires (or more to the point, DOES NOT) in the narrative after the ‘Gladers’ escape Janson’s facility in the early part of the film, all leading to a lacklustre finale that feels tacked-on for the sake of creating a cliff-hanger ending in anticipation of the third film in the series; THE DEATH CURE, due for release in early 2017.