Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Wes Ball, 20Th Century Fox, PG 131 Minutes.
Director Wes Ball reteams with Dylan O’Brien as Thomas, leader of the Gladers including Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) and Minho (Ki Hong Lee) in this second instalment of the thrilling ‘Maze Runner’ trilogy after their escape from the dreaded maze.
Together with Teresa (Kaya Scodelario), Frypan (Dexter Darden) and Winston (Alexander Flores) they now face a new set of challenges in searching for the powerful WCKD organisation as they proceed to the Scorch, a desolate landscape with unimaginable obstacles.
Following their arrival at a facility run by Jansen (Aiden Gillen – ‘The Dark Knight Rises’) they are housed and provided with food in particular protection from “The Flare” the deadly disease unaware that the shelter is a WCKD facility.
On seeing Jansen colluding with Ava Paige (Patricia Clarkson) head of WCKD’s experimental program Thomas barely manages to get his friends out of the facility before heading to the mountains to find the resistance group The Right Arm.
Prior to that taking place Thomas and the Gladers meet up with other survivors including Brenda (Rosa Salazar – ‘Submerged’) and their father figure Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito – ‘Money Monster’) just as WCKD forces led by Jansen start storming their sanctuary.
Not long after Thomas finally meets up with The Right Arm leader Vince (Barry Pepper – ‘True Grit’) and his resistance fighters before they are all betrayed by one of Thomas’ female friends when WKCD helicopters appear and start shooting everyone.
As Thomas watches helplessly from a safe distance he see Ava, Jansen and Teresa flying away with his captured friend Minho determined to rescue him and then wreak vengeance against Ava.
Ball released his enjoyable second chapter of his three part sci-fi adventure in 2015 and describes his rendition of a dystopian future that is filled with many entertaining action-packed scenes in this sequel to ‘The Maze Runner.’
Although there is a similar theme to the ‘The Hunger Games’ Ball does not provide the complete plotline until revealed in the third chapter titled ‘Maze Runner-The Death Cure’ with some surprises in its conclusion.
Once again O’Brien heads the pack of young performers with his convincing portrayal as Thomas not to mention Ball’s surreal special effects.
Maze Runner-The Scorch Trials is televised on Channel 7 at 10.30PM on Saturday 19 September
Vic’s Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
