Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Director Wes Ball and Screenwriter T.S Nowlin return to the big screen after an unfortunate setback last year to finish their adaptation of the Maze Runner Franchise with Maze Runner: The Death Cure. The Movie is an ample finish to the Series, but suffers from exhaustion and an overextended runtime, along with some flaws within the actors themselves that have unfortunately plagued the previous Movies. However it is a fitting ending, and fans of the Book Series will undoubtedly enjoy themselves.
The Movie focuses on our hero Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) and Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) along with the rest of their friends in hopes to save Minho (Ki Hong Lee) from the likes of WCKD and their former ally Teresa (Kaya Scodelario), Ava (Patricia Clarkson), and Janson (Aidan Gillen) as they seek ‘the cure’ to the flame. Throughout the Movie, Thomas et al devise a plan to break into the last remaining city where WCKD headquarters is and save Minho, while simultaneously taking-down WCKD proves to be a harder task then they thought. As well on their journey they run into some unlikely allies that audiences who haven’t read the Novels will be surprised by.
The Maze Runner Movies really have brought out some great performances from its talented young Cast, but what doesn’t work is the lack of connection the characters needed. O’Brien gives it his all and even suffered serious injury during filming, but his relationship with Scodelario continues to feel flat here. Sangster continues to be the highlight of these Movies and breathes a new life into every scene he appears. Scodelario who has been busy on other Franchises appears fatigued and that is unfortunate as there is much weight in her role. Patricia Clarkson and Gillen, continue in their villainous roles well, and bring a grounding dynamic to an already dark Film.
The overarching problem with the Franchise is not completely on the actors and run time, but also on the timing and span of release. Through the duration of this Series there were two others, The Hunger Games and Divergent, which just felt similar at the core with different characters. Audiences have grown tiresome of the Young Adult Genre. The Death Cure is a fitting and needed conclusion, and thankfully accomplishes everything in one entry, but the loyal viewers are dwindling.
20th Century Fox Canada releases Maze Runner: The Death Cure on Friday, January 26, 2018.
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