“The maze is one thing but you kids wouldn’t last one day out in the Scorch,” says Janson (Aidan Gillen) to Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) as he and his friends are breaking out of the facility they just discovered is being run by the powerful organization known as WCKD in the second installment of the Maze Runner series, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials.
The Gladers, as they’re known from the first film, survived and escaped the maze only to end up as guinea pigs in medical trials and tests for WCKD in a new controlled facility. Once Thomas, with the help of a new ally, discovers the terrible truth of what’s in store, they make a break for it with WCKD in close pursuit. Finally escaping the medical prison, Thomas, Minho (Ki Hong Lee), Teresa (Kaya Scodelario), Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), and the rest of the gang must travel across the Scorch, a desolate, dangerous wasteland of what once was civilization. Remnants of what once was a great city including destroyed buildings, bridges and sewer systems are all that’s left.
The Gladers struggle to stay clear of WCKD’s searching air machines while also running from the Cranks, a slang term for anyone infected by the virus known as the Flare which makes them similar to the infected in the film 28 Days Later. Thomas tells his friends they need to head for the mountains and try to find the resistance fighters who are known as the Red Army. At first, Teresa and Newt are hesitant about the plan. They don’t believe the army exists, but seeing no other option they decide to follow Thomas and the others to the mountains in the hopes of finding the resistance and eventually reaching a safe sanctuary they can finally call home.
Bigger with more action and more involved set designs, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials is a welcomed improvement over the first film in the series but still suffers from mediocre to unrealistic performances from its young cast. The production design and look of the film is extremely strong, bringing to life up on the big screen the vast, deadly wasteland of the Scorch. The mangled and crumbling high rise buildings and major bridges are very impressive as is the highly guarded medical facility Thomas and his friends are brought to in the beginning of the film. The steel doors and slick floors along with a military-looking barracks for rooms add a real feel of menace and uneasiness.
The direction by Wes Ball and pacing is also much better this time, with thrilling chases from the Cranks down in the sewer system and in abandoned buildings. In particular, a scene featuring Thomas struggling to save a new ally from a Crank while not plummeting to his death from the leaning, hallowed out high-rise building they’re in is truly suspenseful.
The biggest problem with the franchise is unfortunately still with the performances from the young cast and some of the horrible dialogue. Dylan O’Brien gives an energetic performance as Thomas, the one Glader who never lets his guard down and seems to be the only teen survivor who has a brain and uses it. Out of all the young performances his is the strongest, and yet what’s lacking is the emotional connection and friendship he feels for his comrades. It’s clear Thomas wants to survive but that he’s also willing to sacrifice himself to save his friends, which he almost does twice. But, there is zero chemistry between O’Brien and the rest of the cast.
Kaya Scodelario as Teresa gives a walk-through performance, never showing any emotion. She reads her lines adequately enough but has absolutely no chemistry with O’Brien who her character is supposed to care for. Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Newt is still the ever-doubting comrade, always questioning Thomas and his instincts. It’s a one-dimensional role that doesn’t require too much from the young actor. That said, Game of Thrones audiences know what Brodie-Sangster is capable of but doesn’t get the opportunity to show off in this role. Ki Hong Lee is solid as Minho, the loyal muscle of the group but, again, he doesn’t have any chemistry with O’Brien or any of the other young cast members.
The film also suffers from a weak script that has some of the supporting characters responding illogically and unrealistically during moments of grave danger. A perfect example of this is when Thomas comes back to the barracks after sneaking out and discovering a horrifying truth and tells the others they all have to leave right now because they’re in immediate danger. Minho and Newt want him to stop, sit down, and calmly tell them everything he saw…OH PLEASE! No one would react that way, especially after everything they’ve been through together.
With visually impressive sets, exciting action scenes, but hampered by stilted performances from the young cast, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials is a decent though forgettable, dark, post-apocalyptic teen adventure film.
GRADE: C+
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for extended sequences of violence and action, some thematic elements, substance use and language
Running Time: 131 minutes
Directed By: Wes Ball
Release Date: September 18, 2015
