Monday 14 December 2015

"Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" Movie Review & Giveaway! | Movie Monday

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015)
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials picks up right where the first film left off. The Gladers, led by Thomas (Dylan O'Brien), are in a facility when they discover yet another sinister plot from WCKD. They're able to escape into the Scorch, but they run into trouble at every turn, fighting the zombie-like Cranks and running from WCKD. Will they be able to find the Right Hand, a group of resistance fighters who can help in the fight against WCKD?

The movie starts as it means to go on: with lots of action. Right from the get-go, there's a ton of intrigue with the group being questioned by Janson (Aidan Gillen, Game of Thrones' Littlefinger), while they have no idea who he is and what the facility they're in is for. We quickly get into intense action when they discover they need to escape into the Scorch. They have no idea what awaits them.

I really enjoyed all the action and thought it was really well done. There are narrow escapes, chases, explosions, the tension builds pretty well...that's what I look for in an action/sci-fi movie. Plus, the Cranks they encounter throughout are so creepy - the way they move and the creaky sound they make really freaks me out.

We get some surprising (or not-so, it depends on your view of the characters) character development, some of which can be hard to empathize with. I can't say much more about this without spoiling certain things, so suffice it to say that there are some frustrating things that happen in this movie...if you try to understand though, you might be able to get why some things happen the way they do in this installment.

There are some really beautiful shots, like the one where we see the silhouettes of the group standing on a sand dune during a sad moment (I've mentioned this shot on Twitter and in my last post on here, and it's because I really love that shot). The music is so moving - I encourage you to really pay attention to the soundtrack when you listen to it because the music is wonderful.

In terms of specific scenes, there's one that really stands out to me: the mall scene. If you've seen the movie, you know exactly what I'm talking about - it was so good! I love the abandoned (it was shot in an actual abandoned mall!), almost archaic look of the place, and I think it made for the perfect setting in that action-packed, intense scene.

And while we're on the topic of action again, I wanted to share one of my favourite moments from the movie, which is when Thomas slides under the door while they're in the facility. That was such a tense, badass moment:


If you liked the first Maze Runner movie, you'll love this one.

Check out my recap of the #SurviveTheScorch event I was asked to participate in here!

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Time for the giveaway! Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment has very kindly provided me with a copy of the Blu-ray Ultimate Fan Edition, which includes two hours of extras and a 24-page collectible printed prequel comic book. 

Rules for this giveaway:

1. You must be following my blog - this giveaway is for my readers!

2. It is open to residents of Canada and the U.S.A. (Sorry to my international readers, shipping from Canada is extortionate!)

3. If selected as the winner, you must be willing to provide me with your address so I can send you your prize.

4. I will email you if you are selected as the winner, and you must respond to me with your address within 48 hours, otherwise another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

4 comments:

  1. Would I survive the Cranks? Absolutely not. My first instinct os to play dead...not ideal when your pursuer is basically the walking (or running, in this case - how messed up is THAT?!) dead. - Sarah Brown

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    1. Hahaha that's certainly not an ideal response, Sarah :P I'll be honest though, I'd surely die as well lol. They run pretty fast, so they'd catch me. Thanks for stopping by and entering!

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  2. I would survive the scorch and the cranks by hiding and only moving when they were not present. Thanks for the giveaway. I hope that I win. Bernie W BWallace1980(at)hotmail(d0t)com

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    1. That sounds like a good plan, Joseph! I'd have a hard time staying still with those Cranks around personally, but hopefully not moving would help you survive. Thanks for entering & best of luck!

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