Film Review | The Scorch Trials

Thomas (Dylan O’Brien), Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Minho (Ki Hong Lee) and the rest of the survivors from The Glade are final safe…or so they think. When an unbecoming Aris (Jacob Lofland), a fellow lab-rat from another maze trial, places his trust in Thomas, they uncover the truth: WCKD in in fact wicked.

The Story

Unlike the earlier instalment, The Scorch Trials is in fact merely based on Dashner’s best selling series. Although all of the elements appear in the film, T.S. Nowlin unravels the bones of Dashner’s skeleton and rearranges them suit viewers rather than readers. Although I think it’s a sacrilege to the book, the film lover in me tips her hat off to Nowlin in regards to his re-write to cater for the big screen.

Don’t worry Maze Runner Fans, all the bits and pieces that made The Scorch Trial great on the page is retained on the screen. My one disappointment is “the unknown” in regards to Newt’s and Brenda’s (Rosa Salazar) character development. The rewrite suggests different outcomes for both characters in relation to the original plot for each character in the book…but I’ll leave it for Nowlin to decide for The Death Cure. Again…I’m torn. I like the way the book pulled my heartstrings for Newt, but I also feel like the film gives an extra element to Brenda…even if it means removing some from Newt.

Overall, from start to finish, I was at the edge of my seat. It was like watching the first twenty minutes of World War Z on repeat – except ten-times better! My heart is literally still pounding.

The (Additional) Cast

O’Brien, Sangster, Lee, Dexter Darden (Frypan) and Alexander Flores (Winston) all get special mentions for their incredible reprisals. But I think we should give some special mentions to:

Jacob Lofland and Rosa Salazar for adding a few more dimensions to an already strong cast. Lofland was a brilliant Aris in his portrayal of a boy who simply knew too much for his own good. I loved that Lofland’s character was given a down-to-earth personality in contrast to the odd and weak character in the book. Salazar gave Brenda a very nonchalant, yet badass façade, which is very refreshing in contrast to Scodelario’s half-hearted portrayal of Teresa.

Giancarlo Esposito also gets a special mention for his believable portrayal of Brenda’s mentor and friend, Jorge (a.k.a “Horhay”). Esposito was menacing, yet endearing.

Cinematography

Much like the special effects in the first film, the cinematography in this film is top-notch. Each shot was perfectly calculated so that almost every scene had an eye-grabbing mise-en-scène to capture the action. I was literally saying, “What a great shot!” every ten minutes!

Overall...the film stands on its own. The book gives a bit more background information, but it is very different. So readers, don’t be too disappointed if it’s not the way you thought it would pan out. Take it as is and let The Scorch Trials thrill you like there’s no tomorrow. I recommend this film for thrill seekers and Dashner lovers.

Star Rating: ★★★★
Next on sL: Pan

Film Review | The Maze Runner

Imagine waking up in a large metal elevator and not knowing who are or where you’re going. Imagine seeing foreign faces gawk at you and not know half the things they’re talking about. Then, imagine being trapped by large walls that open and close, never knowing what’s beyond them.

Welcome to The Glade.

The Story

Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) is faced with not knowing who he is and why he’s been sent to a make shift community of boys. It’s clear that these boys have been here for a while, and the constructs of their living are bound by three rules: 1) work hard, 2) don’t hurt your fellow Glader and 3) never enter the maze. Once you’ve come to realise that the story begins at the end, you also realise that throwing a girl (Kaya Scodelario) into the mix means there’s no time to figure out male-female dynamics, but actually, she was sent as a trigger – a trigger to change the rules. The new rule stands as: find a way out or die.

Based on James Dashner’s award winning trilogy, The Maze Runner is successfully the most accurate page-to-screen film I have ever seen. But to be honest, if you’ve the read the books, then you’ll know that Dashner writes with incredible cinematic imagery that leaps from the page into your imagination. Noah Oppenheim, Grant Pierce Myers and T.S. Nowlin all deserve a standing ovation for their incredible adaptation – not to mention a great big KUDOS to Wes Ball for his incredible direction for a film of epic proportions.

If you don’t get a chance to watch the film, then read the book. Either way I recommend the trilogy for any thrill seekers out there. It’s one that will get you heart racing from start to finish.

The Cast

Dylan O’Brien brought Thomas to life perfectly. He understood the mental and emotional rollercoaster ride that Thomas goes through throughout these series. He captured the essence of his character perfectly, taking audiences through the highs and lows of entering the unknown, from finding his purpose amongst the Gladers and eventually becoming a leader by the end of the film.

Similarly Aml Ameen did a brilliant job of portraying Alby, the fearless first Glader. Again, much like O’Brien’s depiction, Ameen beautifully captured a leader whose only flaw was being confused about not knowing his past. Supported perfectly by Thomas Brodie-Sangster, who plays Newt - the Glade's second in command, we see the same camaraderie that Dashner depicted in his book. Brodie-Sangster’s played the logical Newt and Amee played the humble, yet dominant, Alby. Together with Ki Hong Lee, who plays Minho, there’s a great depiction of sound democratic eldership within the Glade. Hong Lee was also effortless in his job portraying a character who is first Thomas's mentor and eventually his equal and friend.

Will Poulter also took on the great roll as Gally – the hated Glader. Poulter understood that Gally need to be liked just as much as he needed to be hated. He was the voice of doubtful-reason and he took that job seriously enough for audience to be swayed to listen to him at times.

Blake Cooper gets a special mention for his perfect portrayal of Chuck – the comic relief and the youngest Glader. Through Cooper we see the battle between boyhood and manhood as even the youngest of the pack needs to be both protected and play his part in the community.

Kaya Scodelario did an equally believable job portraying Teresa. Although I wished there was a lot more of the telepathic uniqueness between her and Thomas that Dashner envisioned, I thought Scodelario did an amazing job portraying a scared girl in a world of boys - not to mention a scared girl in a world closed-in by gigantic moving walls and monstrous mechanic killing machines.

Special and Visual Effects

These departments receive a special mention for their amazing work on the maze. It was so real and the movements of the maze, along with the Grievers, were absolutely phenomenal. The magnitude of their dedication to creating such a large-scale maze to look realistic was undeniably mind-blowing.

Overall this is 2014’s must-see film. It’s jam-packed with thrills that will make you squeal, action that will make you heart leap, and suspense that will keep you guessing. Like I said, read the books and watch the film – it’s worth every penny.

sL Star Rating: ★★★★★

Next on sL: Love, Rosie

FILM REVIEW | The Internship

 Billy (Vince Vaughn) and Nick (Owen Wilson) are the last of their kind – door-to-door salesmen – trying to make their mark in the sales industry. But when their final sale turns out to be a final bust, the two ex-salesmen find themselves out of luck, until “Google-ing” doesn’t become an option, but rather an opportunity.

When Billy scores Nick and himself a spot on the Google Internship program, the summer has been set with one goal: land a job at Google. Working (and competing) with the best-of-the-best college student for one of the most sought after job in the country, Billy and Nick need to do what they do best: relate with people – not only learn from the best, but also teach those who need to believe that they are the best.

The Story

It’s really a collision of generations. It's a movie where the "Baby Boomers" enter the world of “Gen Y”. Billy and Nick find themselves in a world where information is at the tip of people’s fingers; where communication is as instant as pressing a button; and where the American Dream has been contained as just that – a dream.

I loved the generational collision in this film. There’s a playfulness of “you’re too old to get what we’re doing” and “you’re too young to get anything I’m saying”. It’s got a Grown Ups vibe to it in terms of that element of wisdom being passed down through generations of lessons about growing up and having grown up and what that means in this present age.

It’s a story that really takes you in from the beginning. Old or young, this movie suits anyone who’s ever had a hard time finding a job or is worrying about his or her future. Not gonna lie, kinda makes you wanna apply for your own spot as an intern at the most popular search engines.

The Cast

Vince Vaughn – Billy is the “ideals” man of the partnership. He has the big dreams, big ideas and thinks future track. The down side is that he never gets there; there are little things that stop him from getting there, and too often it’s those big dreams that don’t follow through with logical procedures. Vaughn has this lovable quality that allows him to portray this character. There’s an endearing attribute that he has and places in his characters that allow you to love him and feel for his character when it doesn’t work out. Kudos buddy!

Owen Wilson – Nick is the “heart” of the partnership. He relates to people by attempting to get to know them and see the best in them. I like the fact that he was the rock of the relationship and that he never gives up on his friend and their team. When Wilson brings his characters to life, there’s a nice-ness in him that makes you believe the struggles and the victories that happens in the character’s journey. Hats off to you mate!

Josh Brener – Lyle is the junior manager at Google who hasn’t found his feet in the work environment just yet. He knows the company inside and out, but isn’t confident in himself as a person as he is about his efforts behind his computer screen. Brener was adorable and hilarious all at once. He played that lovably awkward nerd that you feel sorry for and root for to get his dream girl.

Max Minghella – Graham is the typical bully on the playground that’s over compensating for something. Minghella has taken his role in The Social Network and really pushed it to its limits to produce the perfect villain for everyone to hate. All movies need one and I’m glad Graham was believable and not too evil.

Dylan O’Brien, Tiya Sircar and Tobit Raphael – Stuart, Neha and Yo-Yo are Nick’s and Billy’s fellow teammates on “Team Lyle” – aka. Team Leftovers. Stuart is the, “too-cool-for-school” nerd; Neha is the “fantasy” nerd; and Yo-Yo is the “overachiever-with-mama-issues” nerd. Not fitting-in with anyone else, this team has been put together to work with each other for a spot at Google after their senior year. The dynamic between O’Brien, Sicar and Raphael is hilarious, believable and realistic. Playing three 21-year-olds with different agendas of being “Nooglers” contrasted with Vaughn’s and Wilson’s seasoned work ethics just creates such a vibrant portrayal of the generational collision.

Rose Byrne – Dana is one of Google’s senior managers who has “lost time” to find love at the expense of her career. Using her Aussie accent (and doing us Aussies proud!) to show Google’s diversity, it was nice to hear a familiar accent. Playing the hard-to-get-forbidden-fruit for Wilson’s character, Byrne portrayed a woman that wasn’t easily wooed, but allowed herself to let loose for one date to make up for the 10 years that she lost working hard for Google. I thought having a love interest for one of the protagonist was a nice cliché to show that all jobs have their costs – even at Google.

Aasif Mandvi – Mr Chetty is the top dog at Google in regards to the internship program. Mandvi was an incredible overseer of the program as well as the giving the odd cynical comment about Billy’s and Nick’s efforts throughout the internship. Mandvi’s character offered a more serious aspect of the film, yet only enough to make some scenes just as comical as the majority of the film.

OVERALL

It’s hilarious, light-hearted and great for all ages. You will be laughing most of the time so be prepared for a loud cinema! I have nothing more to say than: GO SEE IT.

 sL Star Rating: 5 Stars

Next on sL: HARRISON CRAIG's winner's single: UNCONDITIONAL