With the Fall lineup, for the world of cinema, upon us, there are bound to be significant box office draws. Keep in mind, that when an expectant trilogy or saga is in the works, the second installment typically earns less than its predecessor, but often times, delivers a deeper story, in terms of character development. Ever since the inception of “The Godfather II,” moviemakers have been honing their craft and attempting to perfect their delivery for the great sequel. While there are usually differing opinions of what makes for a great sequel, many seem to agree on which sequels, historically-speaking, are the greatest of all time.
For the “Maze Runner” series, the much-anticipated second installment has arrived. Although it might seem fair to think of this collection of stories as a lesser version of “The Hunger Games” saga, the parallel façade of a dystopian civilization, coupled with the concept of an all-powerful, untrusting dictatorship and the effects that would have on the surviving citizens, is about where the comparisons end. The campy elements of THIS particular sequel, set it apart from the first sequel of “The Hunger Games,” but real the question one must ask and try to answer, is whether that approach helps this film or hurts it.
A simple flashback sequence catches the audience up on the previous movie, while also showcasing some subtle sub-plots, which were not revealed IN that forerunner, no pun intended. The pace of the film is, as expected, quite fast, as there is a lot of story to cover and, undoubtedly, an expected audience of people, from various age groups, who are prepared to sit down to an exciting, event-packed sci-fi/action tale, whether those individuals have read the books or only viewed the first film, OR both, or neither.
Right away, we know who the important characters are, protagonist and antagonist, alike. Thomas(played by Dylan O’Brien, “The Internship”), Newt(played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster, “The Baytown Outlaws”), Minho(played by Ki Hong Lee, “The Stanford Prison Experiment”), Teresa Agnes(played by Kaya Scodelario, “Tiger House”), Frypan(played by Dexter Darden, “Geography Club”), and Winston(played by Alexander Flores, “Delivery Man”) have ALL returned for this second phase, mostly unknowing of where they are and what the next move will mean for their respective futures. The familiar Aidan Gillen(“Beneath the Harvest Sky”), as Janson, welcomes the survivors of “Glade” with open arms and upgraded living conditions, but, of course, there is something about that twinkle in his eye and smirk in his smile that just doesn’t seem right. Of course, the characters within the story don’t see that right away, so keep your thoughts to yourself.
The standout leader and brainiac of the bunch, encounters an odd, but equally elusive individual, shortly after settling down in the indoor habitat and discovers, upon easy investigation, that the future may not be so bright for the pool of survivors, gathered from around the outside lands and immediately convinces his fellow survivors that they MUST escape the facility and go it alone in the great outdoors, if they truly wish to continue to remain alive and free.
A few surprises await them, including spry, zombie-like creatures and an abandoned, decimated city. The dialogue continues to be spotty and ambiguous, which effectively foreshadows the future of the story while rewarding you with minimal character development and insight. However, it also comes off as unintelligible and comical, at times, much like that of a horror/slasher film. Be on the lookout for small roles, played by big-name actors and actresses. Some of them are performed very well(Giancarlo Esposito as Jorge and Alan Tudyk as Marcus), but mostly, they are as unforgettable as the ambient, white noise-quality of the original music, played throughout the movie.
If you are expecting a fast-moving, excitable film, with unsuspecting turns and a gritty atmosphere, you might find that in “Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials,” but it almost completely depends on your previous level of cinematic experiences. I was never surprised by what lurked in the shadows, nor was I satisfied by the development of the characters OR the story. Annoying clichés and choppy editing abound, largely disrupting any positive momentum ever gained while watching this surprisingly slow-paced, sci-fi/adventure. Did I leave with a fonder recollection of the previous film in the series? Am I eager to see what will come in the following movie? Yes and yes, but for ALL the wrong reasons.
Director: Wes Ball
Screenwriter: T.S. Nowlin
Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Dexter Darden, Giancarlo Esposito, Alexander Flores, Aidan Gillen, Ki Hong Lee, Jacob Lofland as Aris Jones, Barry Pepper as Vince, Rosa Salazar as Brenda, Lili Taylor as Mary Cooper, Alan Tudyk, and Patricia Clarkson as Ava Paige
Music by: John Paesano
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
Release date: September 18th, 2015
