Film Review- Maze Runner: The Death Cure Gives Series With New Life
Walking into Maze Runner: The Death Cure, I did not know I was going to get the best film of the series. Usually, dystopian, YA films like, The Hunger Games or The Divergent Series, start off with a bang to end more quietly. Maybe, it is a mental thing, but, for some reason, the end of the ride never feels as exciting as the beginning. Yet, Wes Ball’s Maze Runner: The Death Cure ends the series with a surge of excitement and adrenaline that you wish it had from the beginning.
Part of Death Cure’s success comes from its revamping of the film’s style; this movie is a rescue mission. Operation: Save Minho starts off with a train robbery that leaves you on the edge of your seat. Yet, it is not the only “Are We Going To Make IT!?” sequence that has you curling your fingers and toes. Zombie fights, Mission: Impossible like hackings of computer frames, kidnappings, deadly, border walls, and an apocalyptic sequence that looks more like it should be in The Purge Series made this film bombard viewers with action. Moreover, it helped elaborate certain themes that can play times like, humanity’s belief that it can only save parts/ certain communities of itself. Yet, in “parable” perspective, since when did a car only drive in parts and not its entirety. Such energized displays of rather dark themes allows Maze Runner: The Death Cure to stand alone.
Maze Runner: The Death Cure does not bother recapping what happened in the first two films, but it is so intriguing that you do not need it. I always like to watch films with a fresh, mental palette because it helps me see the Director’s growth or altering vision, and Wes Ball had a fresh awakening; if we are going to go “dystopian” then we are going to go pure “action”. He created a film that felt like a younger/ made for pre-teen version Mad Max: Fury Road, which was a brilliant move. Those who followed the book series, were mostly 12 to 15, and even if they are not that age anymore, when they go to see the film, their inner is pre-teen front and center. Yet, again, it was not hard to pick up who were the bad guys and what were the basic plot points if you went into the movie with no knowledge of the series. GOOD NEWS! For fans, eager to take their friend who has no idea of the importance of Thomas.
While the film is the best in script, cinematography, and overall execution, kudos has to go to the cast. Everyone gave their heart to this final bow, and played a part in making this film standout amongst the series. Dylan O’Brien (Thomas) is at his most “leading man” flowing through emotional beats with greater ease, while Ki Hong Lee gives Minho an inner resilience that makes you cheer for his presence and pray for his rescue. Meanwhile, Rosa Salazar as Brenda is perfection. She is so raw, real, and unbelievably charismatic that she becomes like a Lara Croft for the film. Thomas Brodie-Sangster’s Newt is sweet and strong, which makes you pull for him as he tries to pull for himself throughout the move. In essence, fans and newbies of the film will come out with something to like about Maze Runner: The Death Cure, which comes out in theaters January 26.
MAZE RUNNER: THE DEATH CURE
Release: January 26, 2018
Run Time: 141 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Director: Wes Ball
Cast: Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Giancarlo Espositio, Aidan Gillen, Ki Hong Lee, Barry Pepper, Will Poulter, Patricia Clarkson
