Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

"Thomas, why are we wearing jackets
in 100 degree weather again?"

About a year ago, partly because I'm borderline obsessed with reading *most* books before I see their film adaptations, I began a journey of reading The Maze Runner. Within pages I was hooked, and I quickly finished the trilogy and prequel over the coming months. Other than The Hunger Games (and not including Harry Potter), this was the best YA series I had read. Realistically, I don't understand all the hate for young adult novels...they are often very well told, mysterious stories, with the core difference being that the fate of the world rests on some 18 year old's shoulders rather than a 35 year old's. Corny? Sure. But I find that very easy to get past. As I often do, I digress. The Maze Runner series is a fantastic LOST-esque tale that has several twists per book with most of them being logical. It keeps you guessing and although I'd argue the series didn't "stick the landing" as well as others, I definitely look back at my time with the books in fondness. 

When the inevitable film series was announced, I was slightly worried because of the YA graveyard in Hollywood where many adaptations are made, and they're atrocious, and it not only prevents sequels from being made, but it taints the books as well. Luckily, last year we were treated to an excellent adaptation of the first book, simply titled The Maze Runner. I called it one of my "quiet favorites" of last year, and as it found some success at the box office, I was happy that one of my favorite YA series was looking like it would see its complete story told.

I was eagerly anticipating The Scorch Trials because I actually thought it was the best book in the series, despite being in the middle. It was a much different setting than the maze, but we also learn a lot about the world and the mystery behind this group of kids and the seemingly evil organization WCKD. I'll be honest, I read too many books within a year to remember the pinpoint details of Scorch Trials, but I remember I enjoyed it cover to cover. 

Unfortunately, the adaptation of the second film does not share in that success.

"Remember that one time on Breaking Bad?"
"I've told you...I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"If we stand very still, no one can see us!"

For starters, I didn't find the film version of Scorch Trials to be a highly accurate representation of the book. I think if you were to create a broad outline of what happened, it would be almost the same, but where the first book was almost page-for-page, this one had what seemed like some significant tweaking. At least based on my memory. I also had the "Scorch" and many of the scenes pictured far differently in my head, though I can't necessarily fault the director for not matching my image. Where I'm going with this comparison is that: I remember the second novel being a well structured story (i.e. beginning, middle, end -- unique plot among a larger plot), but the film, with it's changes, lacks a concrete direction, while at the same time barely spending any time on the overarching narrative. It's the nature of the second story in a trilogy to always suffer that "middle child" syndrome, but for the Scorch Trials, we really don't see where this is all going until the very end. Lord of the Rings needed the One Ring destroyed -- that we always knew. The Hunger Games needed Katniss to overthrow the government -- that we pretty much always knew. About 30 minutes before the end of Scorch Trials I was painfully trying to remember what these kids needed to do and for the life of me I couldn't grasp it. When there is no endgame, a plot often rings a bit hollow. 

Aside from lacking a direction for most of its duration, The Scorch Trials is still entertaining. The sense of mystery and discovery is rampant in the first half, and it keeps things interesting. Once the kids enter the Scorch, it turns into a bit more of a survival tale with them having to deal with the infected who, thanks to some stellar special effects, look absolutely terrifying. For a while the Scorch is also entertaining, featuring some great apocalyptic scenery to chew on as well as some really strong special effects (taking the budget into consideration). One scene in particular, a chase through a toppled over skyscraper, is the film's best and it had me on the edge of my seat. Eventually the kids, and the film, get some sense of direction, literally, towards the mountains. Upon reaching the mountains though is when the film pretty much screeches to a halt, aside from a generic action piece at the end, and leads us to an abrupt, cliffhanger ending. Where the first film was able to build momentum quickly and maintain it, this film builds its momentum a little more slowly, maintains it for a while, but loses it near the end. Had the film closely followed the novel, which I'm still pretty convinced it took several detours, it wouldn't have had that issue. 

"This CrossFit class was way harder than I anticipated!"

Much this week's other film, Black Mass, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials isn't a bad film, it's just a bit disappointing given what my expectations were both based on the novel and the previous movie's quality. Unlike the book it's based on, it suffers heavily from being in the middle of a trilogy, and fails to capture the same degree of intrigue that the first film burst out of the gate with last year. 

As is the case with most films I give a "good" rating to, I enjoyed my time with it. 

But it also left me thinking about returning to the maze. 

CONS:

• Several key components of the book are changed and I think it hurts the film rather than helping it
• Lacks a direction. At one point the film even points out that Thomas doesn't have a plan. This coupled with the fact that there is minimal focus on the overarching story/goal makes it seem wandering
• Loses steam in the final half hour with a generic action sequence and an abrupt ending

PROS:

• Cast does well portraying these characters. I like Dylan O' Brien
• Strong special effects
• Has a few scenes that are very exciting and is generally entertaining throughout. The chase with infected through a skyscraper is the film's highlight
• Strong sense of mystery most of the time
• Dylan O' Brien's arm-flailing running technique
• Solid cinematography and original score
• Terrifying infected creatures

Rath's Review Score: 6.5/10