While The Scorch Trials carries over the strong directing, cinematography, and high production values from the first film, it falls short in key areas that made The Maze Runner so compelling. The character growth and connections that I appreciated in the first movie felt noticeably absent here. The relationships lack depth, and new faces introduced in this installment fail to leave a lasting impression, making it harder to feel emotionally invested in their journey. The script, while fun at times, struggles with repetition. Much of the movie feels like a sequence of action-packed set pieces rather than a cohesive narrative. That said, the visuals and production design remain a highlight. The post-apocalyptic environments are well-realized, and the tension in many of the action scenes keeps things exciting. The Scorch Trials delivers on spectacle and action but sacrifices emotional connection and narrative depth in the process. While still enjoyable, it doesn’t capture the same magic as its predecessor.

Well, if you are looking for a collection of good looking folks lurching from one perilous scenario to another - desperate to escape the clutches of the arch villain that is Aiden Gillen; then this is the film for you. If you are looking for anything remotely akin to the books that tell of the continuing adventures of "Thomas", "Newt" etc. as they attempt to defy the will of "WIKD", then get ye hence (as Shakespeare might have said) for this film has nothing for you. Gillen has all the terror-factor of Mary Poppins and whilst Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario and Thomas Brodie-Sangster; along with a seriously hammy Giancarlo Esposito look like they are having some fun with their escapade-driven flight; the dialogue is all over the place and the story lacks any sort of structure. The effects work well and the battle scenes are well put together but, ultimately, it is a sort of "Percy Jackson" version of the story; watchable but forgettable and not in the same class as the first film.

I believe the adage is meant to go "Ask me no questions and I tell you no lies". _Scorch Trials_ however seemed to be trialling the new "I pose you 500 questions, I tell you no answers". But there's still some interesting things to find the further the movie goes on. It lacks the cohesion of the first movie, for sure, but there's more going on, so that tracks. _Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole._