Maze Runner: The Death Cure - 移動迷宮:死亡解藥

Maze Runner: The Death Cure (移動迷宮:死亡解藥) is 2018 film. The movie stars Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee, and Rosa Salazar. The supporting cast include Dexter Darden, Nathalie Emmanuel, Will Poulter, Barry Pepper, Patricia Clarkson, Aidan Gillen, Giancarlo Esposito, and Walton Goggins. The movie is the third of a trilogy, following both The Maze Runner (移動迷宮) and Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (移動迷宮:焦土試煉). The movie was originally set to release in 2017, but was pushed back to 2018.

The group now is renegade and sets to leave the WCKD controlled area. However, when they learn the Minho is still a captive, they have to go save him. In order to do that, they have to go back into WCKD territory. Along the way, old friends reemerge and lend a hand. Things get interesting when the infection rears its ugly head and they have to find a cure. Can Thomas and crew get everyone out in one piece? Can they cure the infection?

As the last of the trilogy, the responsibility of closure is strong. They have to tie up the loose ends. The previous two films were both difficult to re-watch if you know the story. It was hard to remember exactly what happened in who the characters were. The story took a turn that wasn't revealed in the trailers which helped me stay engaged with the characters. It was a nice twist and led to hope.

With limited box office success, the trilogy will end here even as there are more novels in the book series. It was a good 3 movie run for the young adults inspired genre series.

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials - 移動迷宮:焦土試煉

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (移動迷宮:焦土試煉) is an 2015 film. The movie stars Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee, and Rosa Salazar. The supporting cast include Dexter Darden, Nathalie Emmanuel, Lili Taylor, Barry Pepper, Patricia Clarkson, Aidan Gillen, and Giancarlo Esposito. The movie is the second of a trilogy, set after The Maze Runner (移動迷宮) and before Maze Runner: The Death Cure (移動迷宮:死亡解藥).

The gang has now escaped WCKD and roam the barren lands. With no resources, they start to turn on each other. When they finally find a place, that place is not someplace for them to stay. They eventually leave and land with a group that gives them hope. But betrayal happens that puts them and their new friends at risk. Can they survive the harsh barren lands and the betrayals?

This movie is so different than the first one. The first one was filled with solving a problem. This one explains the world they are in. The world left behind was not much for them to survive on. And I didn't think the groups they came across were very realistic. But I did enjoy that they did try to explain stuff.

The Maze Runner - 移動迷宮

The Maze Runner (移動迷宮) is an 2014 film. The movie stars Dylan O'Brien. The supporting cast include Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Will Poulter, Ki Hong Lee, and Aml Ameen. The movie is the first of a trilogy, followed by Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (移動迷宮:焦土試煉) and Maze Runner: The Death Cure (移動迷宮:死亡解藥).

Thomas wakes up being dropped off into a field with walls that prevent him from getting out. Every week, supplies are sent to keep the other kids in the yard alive. Every day, a crack in the wall opens to reveal a dangerous maze. People that are good at it go in and map out the maze. Thomas starts to find his way around the group and eventually joins the maze runner group. Slowly, Thomas begins to unfold the mysteries of the maze. Can he help the others escape the maze?

Fun movie. Suspenseful and full or surprises. The cast does a great job of selling the concept and their lifestyle. Because of that you get invested in the characters and want them to win. Recently, I watched this again in prep to watch Maze Runner: The Death Cure (移動迷宮:死亡解藥). I found that a repeat viewing didn't have the same effect as the first, the sense of surprise and wonder. I actually didn't even finish my second watch.

BUT I do remember my first watch with great fondness. You might too.

American Assassin - 美國刺客

American Assassin (美國刺客) is an 2017 film. The movie stars Dylan O'Brien as the main character, Mitch Rapp. The supporting cast include Michael Keaton, Sanaa Lathan, Shiva Negar, and Taylor Kitsch. The movie is based on a novel franchise featuring Mitch Rapp.

Mitch Rapp loses his girlfriend and is almost killed himself when a jihadist group attacks during his vacation in Spain. Months later, we find that Rapp has self taught himself martial arts, firearms, and spying on terrorist groups. Rapp is set on taking jihadist groups down. When he makes contact, the CIA rescues him when the deals goes bad and recruits him. After a brutal training session, he makes it to the field and finds that a rogue former CIA agent is causing all the trouble and has enough know how to stay in front of the CIA. The cat and mouse catch begins and who will come out the winner?

Very slick film. From beginning to end. But it was a little too slick. Well made, but the story was engaging enough to keep me going. But I felt like I had already seen this in other forms. I hard to call it predictable, but I felt like I kind of knew what was around the corner. With weak box office receipts, it is very doubtful it'll be a film franchise. Might need time to reboot this.

BUT, this would be a great 10 part series on a Netflix or Amazon Prime. I haven't seen all of Jack Ryan, but this seems right up the ally of that type of movie.