Film review: Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (7 out of 10)

In an era of of the trilogy or quadrilogy, the second film has often turned out to be the weakest link.
Maze Runner: The Scorch TrialsMaze Runner: The Scorch Trials
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

And while this Maze Runner sequel lacks some of the more subtle mysteries of the first film it’s far from a duff follow up.

The initial Maze Runner was a great story but finished on a rather strange and jarring note.

In the sequel we enter a weird post apocalyptic world.

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At the end of that first story a group of youngsters had survived the maze, escaped and were taken away by a mysterious group.

The Scorch Trials follows straight on, with the lads and one girl taken to an encampment, having been ‘saved’ from the evil WCKD group.

But all is not as it seems.

Thankfully we get to know more of the back story revealing that the Earth has suffered a cataclysmic effect that has decimated civilisation, destroyed cities, created a very unpleasant disease and stripped the planet of many of its assets.

Scientists at WCKD are trying to find a cure for the disease, but at an enormous cost.

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The, mostly British, cast has been the main strength in this franchise with Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Kaya Scodelario leading the way.

But American Dylan O’Brien has also been very good as the main character, Thomas.

This second movie does turn into a cross between The Hunger Games and Resident Evil but just about keeps its own identity.

The action is non-stop for most of the time and there’s plenty of twists and turns along the way, plus some unpleasant shocks that rather belie the 12A certificate.

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While the first film was much better crafted and had more going for it, this sequel has plenty to admire and enjoy.

It is set up, though, for what should be a cracking finale that, hopefully, doesn’t follow a tried and trusted route.

Film details: Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (12A) 131mins

Director: Wes Ball

Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster

Screening courtesy of Horsham Capitol

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