Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015)After having escaped the Maze, the Gladers now face a new set of challenges on the open roads of a desolate landscape filled with unimaginable obstacles.Director:
Wes BallWriters:
T.S. Nowlin (screenplay), James Dashner (novel)Stars:
Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster | See full cast and crew.Storyline
In this next chapter of the epic "Maze Runner" saga, Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) and his fellow Gladers face their greatest challenge yet: searching for clues about the mysterious and powerful organization known as WCKD. Their journey takes them to the Scorch, a desolate landscape filled with unimaginable obstacles. Teaming up with resistance fighters, the Gladers take on WCKD's vastly superior forces and uncover its shocking plans for them all.Written by 20th Century Fox
User Reviews
Looking back at 2014's surprise hit The Maze Runner, its sequel The Scorch Trials was something that proved to be an immediate worthy follow-up. The moment I stepped into the theater, I had some thoughts of what was to happen following from escaping the ever-changing, intricate maze and dodging the Grievers that inhabit it. Sadly for Thomas and his fellow Gladers, their efforts in leaving the maze behind were just the beginning when they are finally brought out into the open, revealing a ravaged wasteland that was once hospitable. While evading Cranks (zombie-like creatures affected by the outside world's solar flares), they must venture out to this metaphorically wider maze to find any other rebels out there fighting for the same cause to put an end to W.C.K.D.'s nefarious plans.
With this game of "cat-and-mouse" being played nearly throughout this interesting sequel, it started to remind me of (most notably) the 2008 techno-thriller movie, Eagle Eye. Because like the latter, The Scorch Trials had this whole theme of paranoia, deception, and loyalties being tested mixed together. Whereas the main characters go through any means necessary to evade their pursuer, but strike back when given the right chance. Actor Dylan O'Brien is certainly no Shia LaBeouf, but his character Thomas is quick to act when he and his group's lives are on the line. Which I must say kind of suits the scenarios the Gladers must face when trying to elude the evil organization looking for them. With the return of Thomas Sangster's Newt, Ki Hong Lee's Minho, and Kaya Scodelario's Teresa, they all proved their part as individuals who can hold their own among the Gladers. It gives off this cohesive element of a nonconformist persona among them. Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Revolution) as rebel leader Jorgè was certainly a change of pace compared to his TV characters he's known well for, but his inclusion into this film series proved to be notable for his style of acting, especially since he's no stranger to post-apocalyptic scenarios.
As a whole of over two hours running time, the cast delivered great performances and the action sequences were such a nail-biter that you'll miss the best part if you turn your attention away for only a moment. Story and concept-wise, it felt like a watered-down, bloodless version of a Resident Evil movie for the young adult genre, which I think a junior high student could easily think up. Nevertheless, all my attention and adrenaline was geared towards the most complex action scenes that proved to be no easy feat as the characters continue to run near endlessly to formulate a plan. I can tell that some of them needed great practice to have it play out well on screen. In the pool of YA book-turned-film adaptations, I'd say this title is really trying to rise up to prove its worth as the other big name YA films that already came before it. Despite not having any directorial involvement in any other titles prior to this film series, director Wes Ball is starting to demonstrate that he can helm a movie on this second round of maze running. With a third movie still yet to be released, only time will tell how this conflict will turn out in the end.
With this game of "cat-and-mouse" being played nearly throughout this interesting sequel, it started to remind me of (most notably) the 2008 techno-thriller movie, Eagle Eye. Because like the latter, The Scorch Trials had this whole theme of paranoia, deception, and loyalties being tested mixed together. Whereas the main characters go through any means necessary to evade their pursuer, but strike back when given the right chance. Actor Dylan O'Brien is certainly no Shia LaBeouf, but his character Thomas is quick to act when he and his group's lives are on the line. Which I must say kind of suits the scenarios the Gladers must face when trying to elude the evil organization looking for them. With the return of Thomas Sangster's Newt, Ki Hong Lee's Minho, and Kaya Scodelario's Teresa, they all proved their part as individuals who can hold their own among the Gladers. It gives off this cohesive element of a nonconformist persona among them. Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Revolution) as rebel leader Jorgè was certainly a change of pace compared to his TV characters he's known well for, but his inclusion into this film series proved to be notable for his style of acting, especially since he's no stranger to post-apocalyptic scenarios.
As a whole of over two hours running time, the cast delivered great performances and the action sequences were such a nail-biter that you'll miss the best part if you turn your attention away for only a moment. Story and concept-wise, it felt like a watered-down, bloodless version of a Resident Evil movie for the young adult genre, which I think a junior high student could easily think up. Nevertheless, all my attention and adrenaline was geared towards the most complex action scenes that proved to be no easy feat as the characters continue to run near endlessly to formulate a plan. I can tell that some of them needed great practice to have it play out well on screen. In the pool of YA book-turned-film adaptations, I'd say this title is really trying to rise up to prove its worth as the other big name YA films that already came before it. Despite not having any directorial involvement in any other titles prior to this film series, director Wes Ball is starting to demonstrate that he can helm a movie on this second round of maze running. With a third movie still yet to be released, only time will tell how this conflict will turn out in the end.
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