Movie: Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials
Direction: Wes Ball
Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Dexter Darden, Patricia Clarkson, Giancarlo Esposito, Alexander Flores, Aidan Gillen, Ki Hong Lee, Jacob Lofland
Music Director: John Paesano
Cinematography: Gyula Pados
Editor: Dan Zimmerman
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Rating: ∗∗∗½
What is it about: It’s a sci-fi action thriller adapted from James Dashner’s novel “The Scorch Trials” which is the second novel in “The Maze Runner Book Series”. It serves as a sequel to the 2014 “The Maze Runner”. This one is directed by Wes Ball and screenplay by T.S.Nowlin. This movie picks up from where the previous one ends, where Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) and his fellow Gladers fight the WCKD. While they are surviving the perils of Scorch, they are faced with unimaginable obstacles.
Why it’s disappointing: This sequel is heavily packed on action which costs the story and character building. The writing takes a small hit as the makers focused too much on making it visually appealing. There are few new characters introduced but they don’t get deeper in to them, which makes you lose them when the movie moves forward. This one lacks the surprise element which the first one had.
What to watch out for: The Scorch Trials is no compromise on action, which will blow your mind off, with spectacular sequences which are choreographed with great finesse. The VFX is outstanding, creating the ruins and Scorch backdrop was at its best. The visual 3D experience was done tastefully with no jitters.
The entire cast was equally good, there is nothing as to mention this character did a best job, as every character has its importance and the ensemble did a great job.
This sequel builds a good stage for the upcoming installment, which is likely to be expected in 2017. The Scorch Trials keeps you engaged with multiple sequences, which makes you forget the flaws in it. It had good dosage of commercial elements which any franchise in Hollywood are good at offering the audience, this makes it worthwhile. There are quite a few twists and turns in the movie, that out runs the screenplay.
Verdict: “The Scorch Trials” makes a good case for the upcoming sequel, but loses on narration. Still it manages to explode with great sequences, which makes this teenage franchise a strong one. Wes Ball makes it worthwhile.
