Friday, July 27, 2018

Movie review: Maze Runner: The Death Cure

 
 In this final chapter of the Maze Runner trilogy, Thomas and friends are back to continue their fight against WCKD and find a cure for the Flare pandemic. This time their journey will lead to the last city, a dangerous WCKD stronghold.

Dylan O'Brien (Thomas), Ki Hong Lee (Minho), Kaya Scodelario (Teresa), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Newt), Dexter Darden (Frypan), Will Poulter (Gally), Jaco Lofland (Aris), Rosa Salazar (Brenda), Giancarlo Esposito (Jorge), Patricia Clarkson (Ava), Aidan Gillen (Janson), Barry Pepper (Vince).

This third film in the Maze Runner trilogy finds Thomas and friends still fighting WCKD, which they believe has a cure for the Flare pandemic. What the film doesn't have is connectivity to previous films, coming almost 3 years since the last and offering no reminder of what has passed. The plot it pretty simple; save Minho, who has been captured, and take down WCKD by invading their last city. The remainder of the plot is a simple action adventure flick with little imagination. The ending is easily anticipated and an obvious setup for another film.

Acting was decent with O'Brien delivering as usual. Brodie-Sangster delivered very well throughout. Lee, Esposito, Darden, and the remainder of the supporting cast were solid. Gillen fit his role well and felt appropriately creepy. Clarkson felt flat and emotionless.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are decent but CGI and action scenes are what made this film. CGI was well done with good integration, fit, and a solid feel. Action scenes were intense and showed good detail. Dialogue was nice with good depth. Sound and soundtrack are fitting.

While the Maze Runner franchise started well, the time between episodes has likely caused some interest to fade. Combined with the lackluster plot in this entry and the franchise appears to be enjoying a slow death. While serious fans may enjoy this one, most will find it lacking depth and those who have not seen previous films will be completely lost.

With plenty of violence, gore, disturbing images, and foul language, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 7.21.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Drama based on a book, Sci-Fi Fantasy, Sci-Fi Action, Sci-Fi Fantasy

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

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