I’ve always felt that The Maze Runner films have stood out in the very crowded young adult (YA) fantasy genre.
If you consider The Hunger Games to be the gold standard and the Twilight films to be at the other end of the scale, I’d argue that the Maze Runner trilogy have a good shout at being towards the top end of the table.
Although 2015’s Scorch Trials didn’t quite hit the heights of the excellent 2014 original, it did set up the final slice of the trilogy based on James Dashner’s books: The Death Cure.
The story picks up some time after the events of the second film, with Thomas (Dylan O’Brien), Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Brenda (Rosa Salazar), Frypan (Dexter Darden), Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito) and Vince (Barry Pepper) attempting to rescue their captured friend Minho (Ki Hong Lee) from the shady WCKD corporation.
It’s an exciting train heist scene that really sets the tone for the entire film, with hi-octane action and plenty on the line for the heroes.
However, the catch here is that bad guys want to harvest Minho’s blood in a bid to cure the Flare Virus, which (as the second film established) has wiped out billions of people worldwide.
So, while WCKD – who are again fronted up by Janson (Game of Thrones’ Aidan Gillen) and Ava Paige (Patricia Clarkson) – are trying to save the human race, they’re going about it in a dastardly way.
We also discover that these tests are taking place in the heavily fortified “last city on earth”, which makes for a very different location this time around.
Naturally, Thomas and co must find a way to infiltrate the city and bring an end to WCKD once and for all, with time running out for anybody who isn’t immune from the Flare Virus.
Getting there isn’t easy, of course, with the world resembling something of a Fallout-like wasteland full of Kranks (zombie-like infected folk) and enemy troopers.
Thomas’ resolve is also tested by the presence of Teresa (Kaya Scodelario) – his love interest from the first two films – at the heart of the WCKD testing.
Their chemistry and dynamic has always been one of the series’ strong points, something that continues here.
I’ll level with you, The Death Cure isn’t the best entry in the Maze Runner series and the trilogy as a whole isn’t a masterpiece.
But it once again shows off some impressive special effects and the battle sequences and stunts are truly memorable.
Sure, the plot has always been a bit shady and confusing. But if you can see past those obvious flaws, it’s an exciting set of films that are very easy watching.
The Death Cure does serve as a pretty definitive finale for this group of characters, which is all you can ask for here.
Also boasting a cameo from Walton Goggins (The Hateful Eight) and the return of an original Glader (I’ll not spoil), it’s a film that looks good on the big screen – especially in 3D.
And, if you enjoyed the originals, this is certainly more of the same.
Voice Verdict: 8/10 (reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
+ Exciting and explosive action
+ Serves as a strong finale
+ Looks great
– Confusing storyline (again)
SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, Feb 2 to Thurs, Feb 8)
TAD THE LOST EXPLORER (U)
10am (Sat/Sun)
WINCHESTER (15)
12.30pm (Wed), 6.15pm (Tues), 6.30pm (not Tues), 8.45pm (daily)
DEN OF THIEVES (15)
5pm (daily), 8.20pm (daily)
EARLY MAN (PG)
9.50am (Sun), noon (Sat/Sun), 2.15pm (Sat/Sun), 4pm (Tues), 4.25pm (not Tues)
THE MAZE RUNNER: THE DEATH CURE (12A)
2D – 2.20pm (Sat/Sun), 5.20pm (daily), 8.20pm (not Sun)
THE POST (12A)
1pm (Wed), 6pm (Sat/Sun), 6.10pm (Fri/Mon/Tues/Thurs)
THE COMMUTER (15)
3pm (not Sat/Sun), 8.45pm (Sat)
COCO (PG)
2D –12.20pm (Sat/Sun), 2.50pm (Sat/Sun), 4pm (not Sat/Sun)
3D – 10am (Sat/Sun)
DOWNSIZING (15)
3pm (Sat), 3.30pm (Wed), 8.35pm (not Sun/Tues/Wed), 8.45pm (Sun)
THE GREATEST SHOWMAN (PG)
3pm (Fri/Mon/Tues/Thurs), 3.30pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 8.30pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 8.40pm (Fri/Mon/Tues/Thurs)
PITCH PERFECT 3 (12A)
10.10am (Sat/Sun)
JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE (12A)
12.40pm (Sat/Sun)
DARKEST HOUR (PG)
12.10pm (Wed), 12.20pm (Sat/Sun), 3pm (not Sat/Sun), 6pm (not Sun), 6.15pm (Sun)
KIDS’ CLUB
Despicable Me 3 (U) – 10.15am Sat/Sun
SILVER SCREEN
The Commuter (15) – Wed 11.30am
SUBTITLED SHOWING
Downsizing (15) – Monday 8.30pm
