Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

Beginning where the original ended, this derivative dystopian sequel re-introduces Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) and other survivors from The Glade: Teresa (Kaya Scodelario), Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Minho (Ki Hong Lee) and Frypan (Dexter Darden)—among others—who are being helicoptered to a heavily fortified, remote outpost. Greeted by Janson (Aidan Gillen), they are told that they're safely en route to the Promised Land. But their serenity is soon shattered after suspicious Thomas is alerted by skeptical Aris (Jacob Lofland), an escapee from a different Maze. Working for a mysterious paramilitary organization called WCKD (pronounced “Wicked”), Janson is supervising a top-secret laboratory in which blood from those immune to a virus called The Flare is being harvested in order to find a cure. The teens' eventual escape leads to a long chase across a post-apocalyptic desert called The Scorch, which is inhabited by vicious zombies known as Cranks. The kids are headed for the far-off mountains to join the resistance group Right Hand. Along the way, they are befriended by profiteering Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito) and his protégé Brenda (Rosa Salazar). Episodically adapted by T.S. Nowlin, who has made significant changes to James Dashner's epic YA novels, filmmaker Wes Ball's predictable film blatantly borrows from Alien, Divergent, and similar sci-fi features, while also touching on the perennial theme of whether ends justify means. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include deleted and extended scenes with optional commentary (18 min.), a gag reel (15 min.), concept art and storyboard galleries, and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are an audio commentary (by director Wes Bell, screenwriter T.S. Nowlin, producer Joe Hartwick, Jr., and film editor Dan Zimmerman), “Secrets of the Scorch” behind-the-scenes featurettes (52 min. total), a visual effects reel breakdown (31 min.), “Janson's Report: Classified Debriefing Videos” segments (5 min.), and bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an unremarkable sequel.] (S. Granger)