Oh sequels, what a burden you bear – particularly when the bridge in a trilogy. Any tension or curiosity is firmly nixed from the off as the audience already know that the Gladers, unbeknownst to themselves, remain ensconced with the shady WCKD. As they struggle between arid landscapes and demolished buildings, derivative setups and plot points from films like Divergent and I Am Legend play out.

Earnest acting and a few enjoyably self-aware moments aren’t enough to counter the slew of new characters who fail to bring anything stimulating to the table. It does have a nicely evocative score though.

Out of the frying pan, into the fire – the first film’s promise is compromised here by a bloated running time; a transitional movie with lots of running and dust in the face, etc.

RATING: 2/5

INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Wes Ball

WRITER: T.S. Nowlin, James Dashner (novel)

CAST: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Aidan Gillen, Rosa Salazar

SYNOPSIS: The Gladers may have escaped the Maze, but WCKD remain a threat and the group must break out and journey on alone through a bleak and unforgiving landscape, seemingly abandoned, if they are to have control over their futures.

A preview screening of Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials was kindly provided by 20th Century Fox.