Maze Runner: The Death Cure is a dystopian science fiction action film directed by Wes Ball and written by T.S. Nowlin, based on the novel, The Death Cure written by James Dashner. It is the sequel to the 2015 film Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials and the third and final installment in the Maze Runner film series. In my opinion this final sequel was the best of the trilogy and was easiest to follow. I was sort of tired of trilogies but after seeing Maze Runner: The Death Cure, I am newly motivated.
— some SPOILERS BELOW —
The film opens with Thomas (Dylan O’Brien), Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), and Frypan (Dexter Darden) who are the last of the free “Gladers” and who are immune to the Flare virus that has ravaged the world’s population. They and The Right Arm resistance conduct a rescue operation where they retrieve other Immunes from a train, owned by WCKD, an organization responsible for capturing and experimenting on immune children. They thought they were recusing Minho (Ki Hong Lee) as well as the other children but their remaining Glader friend, whom WCKD had captured, was not on the train, which is headed to “The Last City”, WCKD’s base of operations.
Against the orders of Vince (Barry Pepper), leader of The Right Arm, the three leave their camp to rescue Minho, who is being tortured by WCKD in hopes of developing a cure for the virus. Heading for the Last City, the group is attacked by Cranks, humans infected with the Flare. However, they are saved by Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito) and Brenda (Rosa Salazar), who join them. The group makes it to the wall of the Last City, which protects those within the city walls from Cranks. Outside the wall, people are rallying in protest to be let into the city. When WCKD opens fire at the protesters, the group is captured by a contingent of masked men and taken to a hideout. Gally (Will Poulter), who survived Minho’s attack during The Scorch Trials, is among the masked men. Gally takes them to see Lawrence (Walton Goggins), a rebellion leader for those outside the walls, who helps them enter the Last City through a secret entrance. Gally leads Thomas and Newt through to the city where they spot Teresa (Kaya Scodelario), Vince’s former girlfriend. Gally informs Thomas that he can get them into WCKD headquarters.
I really enjoyed this version of Maze Runner. Their adventure into WCKD’s city and who and what they encounter was exciting. The plot to stop WCKD once and for all definitely thickens and leads to many exciting twist. The acting was brilliant and the special effects were terrific. Some scenes were so spectacular, I was on the edge of my seat. I recommend you see this final sequel, as it makes the entire series worth while. Maze Runner: The Death Cure is now on DVD and Blu-Ray — Check it out!
A thought provoking, old argument comes to mind when talking about A Most Violent Year. Can a moderate sized business prosper if that business is not willing to get into bed with the crooks and wrong doers of the business world? This film tells the story of an immigrant who owns Standard Oil Company and wants to have a piece of the American dream. The year is 1981, the most violent year recorded in the history of New York City. Abel (Oscar Isaac) is interested in protecting his family, business and integrity while walking the straight and narrow, thus taking a more righteous route. Abel Morales and his wife Anna Morales (Jessica Chastain) are being accused of tax evasion, price fixing and other wrong doing that could land them in jail, thus dissolving their company. The district attorney, Lawrence (David Oyelowo) is watching and harassing Abel because he believes there is corruption there. Suddenly trucks of the Standard Oil Company are being hijacked causing thousands of gallons of oil lost to Abel. A Most Violent Year is pretty slow getting started and doesn’t really pick up too much throughout the movie. While it’s not boring, it’s not action packed either. It’s sort of a thriller because the audience is trying to figure out who’s behind the hijackings and what illegal part is Abel playing in the running of his company. Oscar Isaac plays a convincing, believable role as does Jessica Chastain and David Oyelowo. Albert Brooks brilliantly plays Andrew Walsh, the company lawyer. Even though I liked A Most Violent Year, I recommend waiting for the DVD as there are no special effects or action sequences that rate seeing it on the big screen.
CAROL's WORLDS 