Maze Runner: The Death Cure (12A) – OUT NOW

EVER since the original Twilight stormed to huge box office success back in 2008, it set in motion a huge number of Young Adult movie adaptations in which every major Hollywood studio tried to accomplish a similar fate.

The best example of this is The Hunger Games franchise, a four film series between 2012 and 2015 which featured consistently solid movies and had decent box office acclaim.

What were less convincing was the failed attempts at Mortal Instruments and Ender’s Game which couldn’t even make enough money for sequels, and the Divergent franchise which somehow made it to four films, but with each receiving further diminishing returns, the final entry will simply be screened on TV now.

However, the one franchise which I feel deserves a little more credit is The Maze Runner films.

They are far from perfect, but are easily the best of this new resurgence in the Young Adult sub-genre and features an enticing plot and entertaining action sequences.

And now with this final entry, this may be the best film of the trilogy.

Let me start by admitting that this is still a seriously flawed picture, but one that is still immensely enjoyable and features lots of enticing action scenes.

If you were not a fan of the franchise before, this won’t change your mind but for anyone who enjoyed either of the previous entries, I believe this is well worth your time.

This final chapter follows young hero Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) who embarks on a mission with his team to rescue his friend Minho (Ki Hinge Lee) and find a cure to the deadly disease which is wiping out the human race known only as the “Flare.”

The first Maze Runner entry arrived back in 2014 and I really enjoyed it.

It was frustrating that it was very much just setting up the sequels but the mystery around it had me hooked and the film was a surprisingly high amount of fun.

The sequel however, titled Scorch Trials, was far less satisfying and had a very weak narrative.

This final entry was supposed to open in cinemas back in February 2017 but following an on-set accident to star Dylan O’Brien, the movie was pushed back until January 2018 so that the leading man could recover.

And Dylan O’Brien is where I would like to begin.

He’s nothing jaw-dropping, yet I do seriously rate him as a promising young actor and I believe he’s a true star. Just like in last year’s fun but flawed American Assassin, O’Brien has proven he is a convincing leading man thanks to his swag, charisma and dedication to the role.

He has a strong screen presence and a likeability to him, doing a lot with fairly mediocre scripts. Can you imagine what he’s going to be like when he works with a good script?

The supporting cast mostly vary.

Ki Hong Lee and Thomas Brodie-Sangster are likeable heroes but struggle to convince and it is great to see Will Poulter return to the franchise as he truly shines as Gally in a bad ass role for the young Brit.

Breaking Bad sensation Giancarlo Esposito looks to be having a lot of fun in his supporting role and it’s also the best we’ve seen from Barry Pepper in years too.

The lovely Kaya Scodelario of Skins fame struggles with some rather lazy writing and her motives for her decisions never really make sense whilst Aiden Gillen makes for an enjoyable if clichéd villain.

Special mention must also go to the always brilliant Walton Goggins, who appears in a truly menacing supporting role.

Wes Ball, who was previously best known for short films and effects work before this franchise, has directed all three movies and I’ve been really impressed with his style of camerawork.

He has handled the action very well, featured some gorgeous shots and has added a real flair and elegance to these movies which didn’t really need them, yet look all the better because of it.

It’s just a shame that the screenplay just isn’t up to the same level.

The writing during the course of the movie is really poor, generic and totally predictable.

With very minimal plot throughout the first two movies, there is a lot of catching up to do here which explains its incredibly bloated 140 minute run time.

The plot itself too just feels very thin and cannot withstand the full length of the movie.

Thankfully though, the action sequences will keep you gripped and interested all the way through. Opening with a breath taking train heist and finishing with an explosive war between WCKD and the outside world, the film is packed with set-pieces.

If you’re a fan of the franchise like myself, you will have a good time.

My screening featured audience members both cheering and screaming throughout and it was a huge pleasure to be part of it.

There is a number of truly satisfying fan moments but if you’re new to the series, you will struggle to enjoy anything past the explosions.

Verdict: A nonsensical yet entertaining trilogy closer, the diehard fans will eat it up but for newcomers, they will struggle to connect.

Best Moment: Janson begins to lay waste to the outside world, which just so happens to be where our runners are located.

Rating: 7/10

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