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