Wes Ball’s Maze Runner trilogy will finally reach the finish line this weekend. As many may already know, the production of this last chapter was halted due to a major on-set injury by its lead star, Dylan O’Brien. While momentum may have been slowed due to the extended break between The Scorch Trials (2015) and the newly released Death Cure, 20th Century Fox is hoping that the delay simply caused anticipation to rise. The good thing here is that, in terms of potential box office competition, this should be a weekend that allows this finale to thrive.
Following events from the last movie that left Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) and his cohorts in shambles, the race is on to find a cure for the Flare Virus that has sickened a large portion of the remaining population. Everything comes to head when all roads lead to the Last City, where answers are assumed to be waiting. Only through working together will there be a chance for the “Gladers” and their allies to prevail. Standing in their way are those that want the cure for themselves and others who just want to see the world burn. With so many factions fighting it out for different reasons, this is sure to be one apocalyptic, bloody conclusion.
Maze Runner: Death Cure brings back all of its supporting cast, including Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee, Will Poulter, Dexter Darden, Kaya Scodelario, Giancarlo Esposito, Aidan Gillen and Patricia Clarkson. While all of the same actors are back, including director Wes Ball, the feel of this last film feels different. There is a sense of finality, and with that a more dramatic atmosphere. The plot is playing for keeps and there’s no safety net. The challenge with this one will be to keep the audiences engaged while taking the time to tie everything up. Early on there was some talk of splitting this into two parts, thankfully Wes Ball wasn’t having any of that and the studio complied. As it is, the runtime is 142 minutes and it feels like it.
There was probably a little too much effort put into making Maze Runner: Death Cure feel and look like something more epic that what it needs to be. Everything needed to bold and grand it seems like, and that comes across like trying a little too hard. This is an enjoyable adventure saga with a gratifying conclusion, except for the fact that they take too long to get there. Seeing this one is more about closure than anything else. If you haven’t seen the previous ones, there’s no need to binge watch now. Catch them at home whenever you get around to it. Fans eagerly awaiting this last leg, you get some satisfaction but that’s about it.
