THE MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS

US, 2015, 132 minutes, Colour.
Dylan O’ Brien, Ki Hong Lee, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie- Sangster, Dexter Darden, Alexander Flores, Jacob Lofland, Rosa Salazar, Giancarlo Esposito, Patricia Clarkson, Aidan Gillan, Barry Pepper, Lili Taylor.
Directed by Wes Ball.

It is probably best to have seen the original film before seeing this sequel (which will also lead to a third part of the trilogy). Some recapitulation information is offered right at the beginning, but it goes straight into the new action, the group of young people who have escaped from the Maze, who have entered into a post-apocalyptic world, and have little idea where this is going to lead.

We have also been introduced to the organisation, WCKD, presided over by Patricia Clarkson, which is involved in experiments to find a serum to counterbalance the infection that has pervaded survivors of the catastrophe. Hence, the important of young people, like the group from the Maze, who can be used in experiments – which are shown to be rather dire and destructive.

They are welcomed into a centre for young people by the smiling Mr Janson (Aidan Gillen) but we are immediately suspicious that his smiles are not as pleasant as they are cracked up to be. When another young boy alerts the leader of the group from the Maze, Tom (Dylan O’ Brien), about the nature of the experiments, they organise an escape which leads them into the outer world. In terms of set design and production, the picture of the destroyed city, the wrecked tall buildings, the imminent danger of collapse, is quite striking.

The rest of the film consists of trials that they experience out in the world which is called The Scorch, involves them meeting up with some strange characters, some ready to exploit them, some willing to help, voyage out into the desert to reach the refuge of the mountains and further, into a rebel stronghold, where they come under attack, and experience betrayal, but surviving nonetheless for a future episode. Younger audiences would identify with the characters, their age, their experiences, the dangers, the quest, the hope for some kind of overcoming of the tyrannical and experimenting regime.

And then the film ends, everyone looking at Tom and asking what his plan is… To be answered in the next episode.

1. The impact of the original film? This film as a sequel – leading to a third film? An interim film?

2. The presuppositions from the original film: the Maze, scorched earth, post-apocalyptic world, the infection, the company, the taking of the young, putting them in the maze, hope for the future, the search for a vaccine? The young people, the escape from the maze, into the world, the challenge?

3. The presuppositions about the escape, the new world, scorched and destroyed, the group, Tom and his leadership, the role of Teresa, the other members of the group, multiracial?

4. Tom, the flashback to the past, his mother giving him up as a child, in the maze, waking from the dream?

5. The prospects of a future, the intervention of Janson, separating Teresa, the plausible explanations, the assignment to rooms, the showers, the dining room, the bunks, choices, the selection of young people and promise for the future?

6. The young people, Aris, the loner, his talking with Tom, his idea, going through the chute, watching the nurse with Teresa and what was happening? The return, Tom with the others, the confrontation with the guards, stealing the card?

7. The processes, Ava Paige, her control, the experiments, her demands on Jenson, speaking on the screen, the promise of her arrival, Janson and his role with the youngsters?

8. The escape, the pursuit, Tom and the others illustrating their skills, the nurse as a hostage, the zombies, Winston and his infection? Getting out through the factory, the escalators, the pursuit by the zombies, going into the world, the destruction of the buildings in the city?

9. The pursuit, the plane, the group going into the desert, experiencing the harshness?

10. The Right Arm and the promise of safety? Going into the premises, Brenda and Jorge, their being taken, getting the information, Jorge working for profit? His protection of Brenda? Seeing the value of Tom and the others not infected?

11. The role of WCKD, its aims, proper beginnings, ruthlessness, Ava Paige, the nature of the experiments, destroying individuals for the sake of the
vaccine?

12. Janson, the attack, Jorge taking the group, Brenda and her being infected, the delay? The pursuit and the escape? The precarious scene with Brenda hanging, about to fall, Tom saving her?

13. Going into the city, the encounter with Marcus, the drugs, the sex club, Tom and his collapse, recovering consciousness? Jorge and his hold over Marcus? Getting the car, driving through the country, the snipers? The young girls and their recognising Aris? Being allowed to enter the town, Vince and his control, Mary, the doctor, her past, the plans for moving out to safety?

14. Going to the base, young people, the leadership, the plans to escape? The serum given to Brenda? having to leave her behind?

15. The preparations to leave, Tom and his leadership, Minhoi, his being hit, recovering? Teresa and her confession of betrayal?

16. The supporting characters in the group, their personalities, contribution? Newt and his past friendship with Tom? In the maze?

17. Janson, the attack, the fight, the captures, Ava Paige and her control, wanting the young people, taking Teresa, in the plane, Janson being wounded?

18. Tom, his stances, the fight, the explosion, their being saved – but the remnant and their asking Tom what his plan was for the future?