- DISCLAIMER -

- DISCLAIMER - ALL REVIEWS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

October 4, 2015

MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS

(2015) 132 Minutes, Rated PG-13

A.C.’s Review:  A couple years ago a movie came out called THE MAZE RUNNER following the adventures of Thomas who finds himself waking up in a forest glade surrounded by a dangerous and deadly maze. The movie chronicled his attempt along with the other teenage prisoners  to escape the maze.  Having successfully done so they were immediately rescued from the evil organization known as The Wicked (yeah, that’s sounds silly but hold on) that put them into.

The Wicked is using the teens and their natural immunity to find the cure for a plague that has ravaged the world already decimated by solar flares. The plague basically turns people into “rage” zombies like in 28 DAYS LATER.

In the new movie Thomas and his crew learn the rescuers are actually The Wicked and they are intent on harvesting the special fluid in their bodies to find the cure for the plague. The result is a horrific existence neither dead or alive strapped into cocoons while the fluid is being harvested. Once discovering this Thomas and his crew beat feet in an audacious escape from The Wicked compound and head for the mountains where a resistance group The Right Arm, they hope will give them shelter.

The first movie was just okay but this follow up I enjoyed immensely as it chronicled their flight across the post-apocalyptic landscape called The Scorch. Not only must they battle the elements but there are plenty of run ins with the plague infected zombies called Cranks as well being pursued by Wicked’s Security Chief Jansen. Along the way they make allies and enemies. In the climax the group finds themselves betrayed by one of their own and the  movie ends on a cliffhanger.

I read the budget was only $65 million for this film which is hard to believe. They did such a great job creating a CGI ruined city the group journeys through that you would have thought it really existed and it was filmed on location. Very impressive.

All in all a very good middle installment in what I assume is a trilogy and where as I was not awaiting this part 2 I now look forward to part 3.

Best Scene: Thomas must rescue one of his new allies Brenda as she is trapped on a window in a toppled building. If she falls through she will plummet to her death and of course just as he is about to rescue her one of the savage zombies shows up to make matter worse.

A.C.’s Rating: Full Price

No comments:

Post a Comment