Check out Kidzworld’s review of Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, the second in the Maze Runner film series. Is it more action-packed than the first film?
By: Lynn Barker
Thomas and the Gladers escaped the giant Maze to be taken in by a mystery organization promising a better life but why do former Maze dwellers keep disappearing into a secret part of the facility? Should they stay or run for their lives into The Scorch?
The Gladers at the WCKD partyCourtesy of 20th Century Fox
Story Goes
After being rescued from the Maze, Gladers Thomas (Dylan O'Brien), Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Minho (Ki Hong Lee), Teresa (Kaya Scodelario), Frypan (Dexter Darden) and Winston (Alexander Flores) are taken to a “safe haven” facility run by Mr. Janson (Aidan Gillen). They are supposed to be safe from WCKD, the evil organization running the Maze. When Thomas finds out what really happens to kids leaving the facility, with the help of Aris Jones (Jacob Lofland), the Gladers escape.
Escape from WCKD headquartersCourtesy of 20th Century Fox
It turns out that WCKD leader Ava Paige (Patricia Clarkson) is still running the show and this “safe” facility is run by WCKD. Now the gang, plus Aris, escapes into The Scorch, a horrible ruined world devoid of water and full of sand and the ruins of the previous civilization. After being attacked by “Cranks”, humans zombiefied by the Flare virus, Winston has been bitten and dies. The group also escapes a horrible lightning storm which strikes but doesn’t kill Minho.
Thomas captured by WCKD soldiersCourtesy of 20th Century Fox
Inside an outpost guarded by Cranks they meet Brenda (Rosa Salazar) and Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito), leaders of a group of tough survivors also looking for resistance fighters called The Right Arm supposed to have a camp in the nearby mountains. When WCKD soldiers led my Janson attack, Jorge blows up the facility and the combined group of survivors escapes again after Brenda is bitten by a Crank.
Ponytail, Thomas and Brenda plan the next moveCourtesy of 20th Century Fox
With the help of zoned-out club owner Marcus (Alan Tudyk) they learn the location of the rebels and find that friends of Aris are there including leader Vince (Barry Pepper). Mary Cooper (Lili Taylor) a former WCKD doctor, uses Thomas’s blood to keep infected Brenda alive but warns it is only temporary. Turns out that young uninfected people are being “milked” for a special enzyme that can be the virus cure but it can’t be duplicated. Thus the need for live and healthy young people. Will WCKD find the gang here too? Who might betray the group? Who will die? Who may end up in WCKD’s hands again?
Thomas and pals sneak through the ScorchCourtesy of 20th Century Fox
Wrapping Up
Although quite long at over two hours, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials is a combo of “The Walking Dead” and Mad Max…on foot. There isn’t a lot in the story that is all that new but the film moves along at a fast pace and is packed with action and cool stunts, narrow escapes and a convincing CGI ruined cityscape. There is little time for character development but what is there is well written and acted.
Hanging upside downCourtesy of 20th Century Fox
It is advised to re-watch the Maze Runner film to get ready for this one because very little of the backstory is explained. I didn’t read this book series so I don’t know how closely the film follows the novel but the story is solid with a cliffhanger ending and a betrayal that might shock some. Right now zombies have pretty well been “done to death” (pun intended) in film and TV but the Cranks in the film are pretty gross and interesting.
Thomas and buddies in the ScorchCourtesy of 20th Century Fox
Those who are familiar with the books or first film will most likely get sucked into the narrow escape action and set-up for a final chapter. We go 4 Stars.
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Movie Rating:
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials PosterCourtesy of 20th Century Fox
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials is in theaters now!
