Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials is an action film directed by Wes Ball; it is based off of the young adult book series by James Dashner. It premiered on Sep 18.

Jake: In my mind, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials stands out from its other post-apocalyptic young adult film endeavors (for instance: The Hunger Games, Divergent) because it is not designed to attract a bandwagon. From the explosive effects to the shotlist, this film delivers an intense joyride worthy of even the most skeptical moviegoer’s $10. As a major fan of James Dashner’s book series, I can say the films stay loyal to the source material while adding their own level of Hollywood extravagance. However, some moviegoers may want to familiarize themselves with the lore of the Maze Runner series, since episode two jumps right into the action. One of my favorite aspects of the film is the antagonist, since I found him cruel and ruthless yet painfully relatable. However, not every character receives a satisfying arc, and the action occasionally feels disconnected and filler. The average high schooler should find the overall experience extremely satisfying though, as the movie packs a killer punch into its two-hour runtime. Also, a moment of silence for the CGI in Insurgent. The ruined city displayed in The Scorch Trials was far better.

RATING: 83/100

Rees: Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials starts out where it left off with the first film: All of the members of the maze running away from a helicopter, surrounded by gun fire, and being chased by a horde of zombies. I know right? Intense. That one word summarizes the whole film for me. While attending, expect LOTS of jump scares and “edge of your seat” moments. While it is electrified with action, the plot also demonstrates incredible quality with few holes or gaps. The acting was incredible, with Dylan O’Brien putting up an A-Grade performance starring in the lead role of Thomas. The only negative point I felt was the lack of connection with previous film’s character Teresa, played by Kaya Scodelario. In the first film, a huge part was that Teresa was the only girl in the Maze, and that detail seemed to be overlooked in The Scorch Trials. Between all of the elements of the film it was overall a very good movie and I would highly recommend to anyone seeking a fast paced dystopian film.

RATING: 89/100

Our Consensus: Must see end of summer movie hit