Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015)
10:19 AM
The Maze Was Just the Beginning
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials is directed by Wes Ball (The Maze Runner) and is based on the book by James Dashner. The film stars Dylan O'Brien (The Maze Runner, Teen Wolf), Kaya Scodelario (Skins, The Maze Runner) and Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones, The Dark Knight Rises). "After having escaped the Maze, the Gladers now face a new set of challenges on the open roads of a desolate landscape filled with unimaginable obstacles". So I've read and enjoyed all 3 Maze Runner books, what will I think to my favourite book's adaption?
I have never left the cinema angry with a film...until I saw this movie. This is the reason why people don't like seeing books being adapted to films - this is probably the worst example of an 'adaptation' that I've seen in a long time. I will explain more further into my review but if you're a fan of the book, stay away from this film. I really enjoyed the first 'The Maze Runner' - yes, they changed a few minor details but it was mostly the same - this on the other hand had a completely different story. I am planning to see the film again to try and take it for what it is rather than compare it to the film so this review will be edited after then.
I found this film very hard to watch because I loved the book so much and everything they changed was just so annoying. Wes Ball obviously went 'right, we're gonna call it 'The Scorch Trials' and keep the location and characters but change everything else'. The title 'The Scorch Trials' doesn't even make sense as there is no trial - the film would have been a lot more original if they kept to the book but no, they decided to go down the traditional rebellion route - getting old now. I did like the film though and did find it entertaining so that's a plus. The film did have pacing issues where it would be very slow at points and then very fast at others - the Cranks or should I say Zombies were very scary and did provide a few jump scares.
Watchability: 0.5/1
The best thing about this film is by far Dylan O'Briens performance - he was absolutely fantastic and is definitely a star to watch once this franchise is over. O'Brien does just as well as Jennifer Lawrence and Shailene Woodley do in their movies in terms of holding the film. O'Brien was generally supported well - especially by Kaya Scodelario and Thomas Brodie-Sangster. However, there were a couple who let the team down. I found Ki Hong Lee very irritable and almost arrogant - he seems to just have been cast for his athletic abilities not his acting skills. I also wasn't a huge fan of Aidan Gillen whose role was much smaller in the book. The team behind this film clearly made his role bigger due to star power. Gillen was pretty one dimensional and I didn't really believe him as Ratman like he is in the books. So besides from a few duds, the acting was generally pretty good in this film.
Acting: 0.5/1
I found it very hard to like this film due to my problems with how it has been adapted. However, I think it will work well as a YA film and did have quite a good story. The film definitely fits the genre which is always a must for any film. You know what I didn't like? The ending. Not only was it completely different from the book but it was just a rip off of all of Katniss' speeches in The Hunger Games. I just find Wes Ball very lazy and I get the impression he hasn't read the book. I am sure, fans of The Maze Runner who haven't read the books will be all over this but for me, it wasn't very enjoyable. I also found it quite boring at times. The film does get merit for likability due to the cast mainly and that it was tolerable - this is by no means a bad movie, it just as a shadow of an unfaithful adaptation cast over it.
Likability: 0.5/1
Do you know what this film does get full points for? It's look. I thought the special effects were very good and some of the shots were beautiful. I liked the make up effects that made the Cranks look so scary - this may surprise you, but I actually prefer the film version of the Cranks more than how the book described them. However, book readers were snubbed of the big fight scene at the end which would have been special effects galore (think Grievers on a much bigger scale). Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials is a beautiful film and that one shot where you see the Scorch in its entirety is brilliant. I also liked the shot of the silhouettes of the cast walking on the sand dunes.
Look: 1/1
So the bit you've all been waiting for....the story. Ok, besides from the book being more about a race and much better. This story is pretty tolerable and I probably would have liked if it wasn't based on a book. I like how its like an escape (cough cough Book 3) and it is pretty entertaining and scary. This could potentially scare viewers more than some of the weak horror films this year. I just can't give the story too much credit as that is where the film faults - it is just unfaithful completely - so much so that the name doesn't even make sense anymore.
Story: 0.5/1
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials is a truly disappointing film and will anger lovers of the book series. Dylan O'Brien does all he can to make viewers happy but there is only so much a good performance can do. The film is also beautiful to look at with some incredibility picturesque shots. However, this is the definition of unfaithful and makes me question my faith in The Death Cure. I will add to this after my second viewing but for now, The Scorch Trials (and it pains me to say this) wins the award for the biggest let down of 2015.
UPDATE: I saw the film again and thoroughly enjoyed it! I think this was mainly down to be being ready for a lot of differences from the book. I found the action very good and I may even say this is better than the first film in terms of entertainment. So my new advice, if you have read the book, see it once and be angry, see it again and love it!
UPDATE: I saw the film again and thoroughly enjoyed it! I think this was mainly down to be being ready for a lot of differences from the book. I found the action very good and I may even say this is better than the first film in terms of entertainment. So my new advice, if you have read the book, see it once and be angry, see it again and love it!
3.5 STARS
B-
What did you think of THE SCORCH TRIALS? If you haven't read the book, let me know your thoughts!
See You Soon!
4 comments
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ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely! I even rushed to finish the book before seeing the movie because I didn't want to spoil the book. Man my friends sat beside me and asked me stuff like "my god will they make it?! Are they going to be saved?!" I was like, girls I don't know what the fudge is going on here....
ReplyDeletePS. They haven't read the book but found it quite dissatisfactory. They thought the Maze in the previous movie didn't make any sense whatsoever. My point exactly.... When I told them the actual plot, they found it quite strange that they changed so much. Like "what was that getting all drugged out-scene all about?" Yeaaah...that's not quite how that happened... Actually the more I think of it the more annoyed I get over the whole thing....
DeleteAhhhh. I agree with you so much!
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