In a day and age where dystopian universes are the mainstream, life with a dying, bomb riddled, disease-filled world is almost too real for a kind of escape. From Hunger Games to Divergent, I love the lot of them, but my favorite continues to be the Maze Runner series. The series has become less about escaping and more about saving people. Maze Runner: The Death Cure is the third and final installment of the franchise, wrapping up the adventures of our favorite “Gladers” very nicely. The original film Maze Runner was all about the maze and its trials with Thomas, with the gang trying to find a way out. The second film, Maze Runner: Scorch Trials, was all about fighting “cranks,” a/k/a fast-running, disease-ridden zombies. This third entry is more character-driven, focusing on the Gladers that are left, and that’s what I love about it. The film becomes an action-packed race to save the people you care about the most: your family.
Maze Runner: The Death Cure opens with a hair-raising chase scene that is set just six months after the events of The Scorch Trials, even though it’s been three years for the rest of us. I wish I had watched the previous films again before seeing this one, which is what I’d recommend that you do, if possible—even the avid fans, like myself, need a reminder. The film did a good job of reminding us of some of the more memorable gems from the first and second movie, in the form of the cranks and grievers. Also, right away, we are re-introduced to the heroes of the story: Thomas (Dylan O’Brien), Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Brenda (Rosa Salazar), Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito), Vince (Barry Pepper), and Minho (Ki Hong Lee). The film also begins with a reminder of why Aidan Gillen is forever the quintessential bad guy; his character Janson is the worst, and he’s so good at it. The movie continues with an epic rescue mission that does not disappoint with its edge-of-your-seat stunts and fight sequences.
One of the things I like most about this film is the display of character relationships. The two most notable are Thomas and Newt, and Brenda and Jorge. Thomas and Newt are the best friend combo we need more of. Their relationship isn’t ironic, nor does it ever border on awkward. A lot of bromances (as the kids call it these days) are found in comedies or rom-coms, but this film is neither, and the brotherly bond between Thomas and Newt is as real as it can be. The fact that the group is trying to save one of their own, despite the consequences, is another testament of the relationship these Gladers have with each other.
The other relationship that works extremely well in the film is between Brenda and Jorge, and I absolutely loved their father-and-daughter moments, which worked very well on screen. My favorite scene is when Jorge and Brenda get separated. When everyone arrives at their destination, Jorge is throwing punches and taking names trying to find out where Brenda is. Brenda is already there, and is trying to tell Jorge she’s okay. The protective parental instincts he has over her are admirable to say the least. He always comes back for her, just like any family member would do which, again, is the main motif in Maze Runner: The Death Cure.
I was very satisfied with the ending, too. I, for one, have a better understanding of the maze trials and Thomas’ place in all of it. Maze Runner: The Death Cure is on par with the rest of the films in the franchise making way for a positive weekend debut.
Maze Runner: The Death Cure hits theaters Friday January 26, 2018.
Written by Catalina Combs
Catalina Combs is an aspiring film critic from California. She loves reading, writing, film, baking, music, drawing, traveling, Disney, and playing soccer. Her life usually revolves around all of these and her family. The oldest of six, Catalina tries to set a good example for her siblings. She graduated from Santa Clara University in 2010 with a BA in English Creative Writing and is pursuing an MA in Film. She also blogs on WordPress and contributes to the website Examiner.com. Twitter- @tiggercraze | Facebook- Cat Combs | Instagram:
