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AN UNSATISFYING YET WATCHABLE SEQUEL TO THE MAZE RUNNER A year ago, a bunch of teenagers were stranded (or trapped?) in a ruthless maze filled with terrible creatures. They learned how to survive by establishing hierarchy and strict rules in the community. Those who had the capability to run fast could be a runner, whose task was to examine the maze regularly in the hope of finding an exit. After a string of unfortunate events, they finally got out of the maze and faced with the fact that they were put in there by a mysterious organization called W.C.K.D for a supposedly noble purpose. As if it wasn’t bitter enough, they also learned that the outside world was no longer habitable due to the widespread of Flare Virus that makes people have appetite for another people (they are called ‘Cranks’). What I just told you about was actually what happened in the first installment of this series, ‘The Maze Runner’. ‘The Scorch Trials’ begins right where its predecessor left off. Thomas and the gang are picked up by a group of army that’s seemingly against W.C.K.D and taken to their quarter. There, they meet some other teenagers that had been in the different mazes created by none other than W.C.K.D. For once, they get to taste the comfort that they’ve been longing for, such as hot showers, nice beds, and proper meals. But things of course can’t go on continuously good like that, because Thomas quickly realizes that everything is not at all like it seems. So now the question is what’s next for these unlucky kids? The story basically still revolves around how Thomas and his friends survive their cruel surrounding. Throughout the film, you will see that they’re running from one hell to another. I like how Wes Ball (the director) managed to keep the story going fast-paced. That’s really helpful in locking the audience in their seats. Another thing to praise here is the constantly good performance from O’Brien and Brodie-Sangster as Thomas and Newt. As for the new cast, the spotlight goes to Rosa Salazar who plays Bren. The crispy deep-voice she has fits perfectly with her role as a girl hardened by the unrelenting situation. Despite all of the highlights I mentioned above, the film unfortunately still feels bland. Yes, the cranks are creepy. Yes, they mostly successful in shocking the audience whenever they appear on screen. Yes, the scope of the film is broader than the first one. But that’s it. There are no other things that will give you the maximum thrill. I remember in the first film there was this one provocative scene where all the Gladers push their friend to the maze just because he was bitten by the maze’s monster, The Griever. Sadly, that kind of thing doesn’t appear here, there’s nothing in ‘The Scorch Trials’ that can provoke you the way its older brother did. Besides that, most of the new characters don’t contribute much too to the film’s charm. (WARNING! BIG SPOILER AHEAD. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK) The other element that I find distracting in this film is the many nonsensical things going on in it. I’m going to spill two of them here. The first one is I’m highly annoyed by how everyone seems overly depends on Thomas to save their lives. There are too many “Thomas help me!” and “Thomas, do you have a plan?” happening in the film. I know he’s supposed to be a hero, but come on give him a break! He’s just as suffering as they all are. The second one is if W.C.K.D has already known that they can only get the immune kids' blood by literally draining them from a long time ago (one of W.C.K.D’s ex-member who’s now on the Right Arms’ side reveals that in the film), then why would they still lock immune kids in their brutal mazes?
Overall, The Scorch Trials is a less intense and less thought-provoking feature than its predecessor. Nonetheless, it’s still an enjoyable young-adult film to watch. Here’s hoping that their next (and presumably last) film will grant us with satisfying ending! Score: 3/5
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AuthorA self-acclaimed movie guy who likes to socialize |