Movie Review: Maze Runner: The #DeathCure

Maze Runner: The Death Cure
Release date: January 26, 2018 (USA)
Director: Wes Ball
Cast: Dylan O'Brien, Ki Hong Lee, Kaya Scodelario
Film series: Maze Runner
Screenplay: T.S. Nowlin, based upon the novel “The Death Cure” by James Dashner

In the epic finale to The Maze Runner Saga, Thomas leads his group of escaped Gladers on their final and most dangerous mission yet. To save their friends, they must break into the legendary last city, a WCKD controlled labyrinth that may turn out to be the deadliest maze of all. Anyone who makes it out alive will get the answers to the questions the Gladers have been asking since they first arrived in the maze. Will Thomas and the crew make it out alive? Or will Ava Paige get her way?

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For a while it seemed that every YA dystopian novel was going to be turned into a movie franchise. The Hunger Games was probably the most successful of the dystopian book to theater endeavors.  On the other end of the scale, Divergent opened big, but its final chapter will never see a theatrical release. At least the Maze Runner series has been successful enough to bring its final chapter to the big screen and fans of the series will not be disappointed by Maze Runner : The Death Cure.

Death Cure is popcorn movie fun. From the first wild chase scene by the train, with all of the gadgets and action glory to the grand fire in the WCKD city, Death Cure is entertaining.   The film makes-up for what it lacks in substance, by adding flashy action scenes.  The zombie chases and car explosions are exciting. The visual and special effects are well done. The pacing of the action action scenes is tight enough that the movie didn't feel long.

All of the favorite Gladers are back for the newest adventure. Thomas (played by Dylan O'Brien), Newt (played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster), and Minho (played by Ki Hong Lee) all have pivotal roles. The least favorite Gladers are back, too.  Teresa (played by Kaya Scodelario) and Gally (played by Will Poulter) attempt to redeem themselves. The cast has genuine likability and great energy. Newt's scenes, especially, really tug at the audience's heart strings. 

That the film is as enjoyable as it was is due, in large part, to the efforts of the cast. Sadly, like the previous installments, there is little character development. At this point in the saga, it's too late to explain the motives or delve into character feelings, so Death Cure doesn't try. The movie is still enjoyable, even if it never achieved it's full potential. It is a satisfying last chapter. 

The film is gentle enough for the entire family. It presents positive themes, like teamwork, duty and forgiveness. Teens and tweens will love catching-up with all the characters from their favorite novel series. The film's special effects looked great on the big screen. Anyone who has seen the first two installments should be equally excited for the last chapter in the saga. Maze Runner : The Death Cure is playing everywhere now.