This Review Reveals Minor Details About the Plot.
Maze Runner 3
A scene of devastation punctuated by the sound of an approaching hot rod (“They're late”) is lead up to an attempted train hijacking and freeing of the shackled prisoners inside (“Send backup.” ¶“On our way.”) Thomas (Dylan O'Brien), Vince (Barry Pepper), Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito), Brenda (Rosa Salazar), Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) and other members of The Right Hand make a concerted effort (“It's gonna be close”) to free their compatriot Minho (Ki Hong Lee) and other captives, but “He didn't get what he really needed.”
“They took you because you're immune to a plague that's wiping out the whole earth,” the freed captives are informed. “They want to sacrifice you to find a cure.” One of them volunteers, “They kept talking about a city.” Minho has fallen into the clutches of villain Janson (Aiden Gillen) who has tucked him away safely where he is experimented upon by evil Ava (Patricia Clarkson) and traitor Teresa (Kaya Scodelario). After an aborted incursion into the enemy stronghold, the freedom fighters regroup and consult infected rebel leader Lawrence (Walton Goggins) who agrees to help them breech the wall of the Last City, home base of enemy operations.
Subject A-07 is a dud (“We'll need a larger sample.”) Fearing assault they “elevate security levels throughout the city.” When it's “fifteen minutes till curfew,” the infiltrators figure “We better get off the streets.” “The virus is airborne; it's inside the walls.” The mad scientists move Minho to the medical wing. His friends are coming (“Minho needs us.”) It's going to take a miracle to free him and escape. And on the wall or their redoubt hangs a portrait of a woman wearing a crown and cradling a babe in her arms. The movie gets pretty apocalyptic from here on.
Ideology
The interplay of friendships reads like sage sayings from the Wisdom of Sirach: (Sirach 6:1) “Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for [thereby] thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue.” Teresa was a traitor from the previous episode.
(Sirach 6:2–4) “Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull [straying alone.] Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself as a dry tree. A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies.” Thomas punches Gally (Will Poulter) in the face for having killed Chuck—Gally was being eaten up by the virus at that time.
(Sirach 6:5) “Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fair- speaking tongue will increase kind greetings.” This series of friends upon encountering one another greet each other enthusiastically (“Goodbye, mate.”)
(Sirach 6:6) “Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand.” They were a cohesive group, yet they had one, the rebel leader, to guide them in how to breach the wall.
(Sirach 6:7–9) “If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first and be not hasty to credit him. For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble. And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will discover thy reproach.” Ava came on cool like she wanted to help them but she had her own scientific agenda and didn't mind sacrificing their well being for the sake of humanity as she saw it.
(Sirach 6:10–12) “Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction. But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants. If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face.” Janson tried to play Mr. Nice Guy with Teresa but he had it in for the people she was shielding.
(Sirach 6:13–17) “Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends. A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure. Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable. A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him. Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.” This is where the movie will end up; Thomas is a “faithful friend [who] is the medicine of life (‘It's your blood’).” Others also are a “faithful friend [who] is a strong defence”. “Thank you for being my friend,” goes all around.
Production Values
This action thriller, “” (2018) was based on the popular YA book series by James Dashner. T.S. Nowlin's screenplay closely followed the book. It was directed by Wes Ball (as were the previous two films in the series, “Maze Runner” (2015) and “The Scorch Trials” (2015). It stars Dylan O'Brien (once again as lead), Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Dexter Darden, Rosa Salazar, Ki Hong Lee, Will Poulter, Aidan Gillen, Giancarlo Esposito, Barry Pepper, Patricia Clarkson and Walton Goggins. Dylan O'Brien (as Thomas) did a really good job in this movie. He's matured as an actor. I liked the way Kaya Scodelario portrayed Teresa. Rosa Salazar manages a more memorable militant Brenda this time around. Ki Hong Lee's Minho seems zoned out all the time, but since that's his role we won't hold it against him.
MPAA rated it PG–13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, language, and some thematic elements. It's 141 minutes long, but it goes by fast. The musical score accompanying the opening scene is a piece of music called Memories composed by John Paesano for the video game Mass Effect: Andromeda (2017). The film score is as great as in the first two. There are lots of explosions in this movie. The general pacing is fast with high intensity; it never lets up save to establish a reflective mood or an emotional element.
Review Conclusion w/ Christian Recommendation
For a final installment, this one was pretty good. Friendships were outlined amidst intense action scenes and dramatic developments. The special effects and bleak scenery seemed pretty realistic. I feel I got my money's worth and recommend it whether you've seen either of the first two or not.
Movie Ratings
Action factor: Edge of your seat action-packed. Suitability for Children: Suitable for children 13+ years with guidance. Special effects: Absolutely amazing special effects. Video Occasion: Fit For a Friday Evening. Suspense: Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Overall product rating: Four stars out of five.
Works Cited
Apocryphal scripture taken from The Septuagint with Apocrypha: Greek and English. U.S.A.: Hendrickson Pub. Originally published by Samuel Bagster & Sons, Ltd., London, 1851. Print, WEB.
bibles.n7nz.org