Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Review

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials. Movie Poster. Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee. Director Wes Ball. Movie.I got to see the Maze Runner sequel, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, on Eid with my family and it got me pumped for the next film. It picks up where the second one left off: Thomas and friends (aka The Gladers) escape the maze and the shady organization known as WCKD. They venture into the Scorch where they have to deal with the decaying past and virus infected people known as Cranks.

My fellow WWAC writer, Angel, has already tackled the first film in a thoughtful and fantastic review that you can read here, and Kate has taken on the Maze Runner comic collection, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials here. Of course, the film isn’t perfect so I’ll be breaking the good and the huh?s because there are plenty of the former and a few of the latter.

THE GOOD

Dylan O’Brien is shaping up to be a great leading man. He’s made Thomas an interesting and engaging character to watch on screen and let’s be honest: watching him run away in a panic is hilarious (I really want a supercut of that, internet!). Although Thomas is the main protagonist, I couldn’t help worrying about the fate of his partner in crime: Minho. Ki Hong Lee’s fantastic depiction of the character has carried over from the last film and I honestly wanted to see even more of him. Alas, this is Thomas’ movie and I should keep my fanfic to myself. I loved the diversity, especially for a dystopian YA adapted film, compared to the others like it, with Rosa Salazar as Brenda and Giancarlo Esposito as Jorge, both of whom are welcomed additions. I was engaged throughout and was even scared from time to time thanks to the I Am Legend-looking zombies (who aren’t zombies) and related jump scares.

THE HUH?

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials. Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee. Director Wes Ball. Movie.

The black character who’s part of Thomas’ original Maze crew wasn’t actually named in this film. I didn’t read the books or re-watch the first film but regardless of that, characters should be named to help audiences remember who everyone is. It would have been less of an issue if Frypan was a character that didn’t have lines or interact with the time but he did plenty of both. This could be just due to the fact that the times he was named were ultimate part of scenes that were cut out but it still makes it a big oversight.

A more glaring issue in the film is the science. Again, I haven’t read the book that it’s based on, but the explanation of the virus that has created the world the characters inhabit and the role of these kids just…didn’t make sense. It doesn’t feel like it was explained clearly and it felt like there were contradictions in the logic they’ve presented. It doesn’t ruin your enjoyment of the film but it does make discussing it afterwards a bit difficult.

So should you watch it? I’d say yes. It’s fun, and full of action. I had a great time at the movies.

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Ardo Omer

Ardo Omer

Former WWAC editor. Current curmudgeon and Batman's personal assistant. Icon art by Diana Sim.

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