Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials
Twentieth Century Fox | Release Date: September 18, 2015 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
43
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews
Positive:
3
Mixed:
21
Negative:
5
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
USA TodayBrian TruittSep 17, 2015
Katniss and Tris might still be queen bees of the genre, but Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) and his fellow Gladers find a satisfying, teen-friendly way to combine rebellion, politics, science and a lot of jogging for a broad audience. Read full review
75
Portland OregonianClint O ConnorSep 17, 2015
Actually an entertaining action-adventure that not only stands on its own, but surpasses the more limited rewards offered by "The Maze Runner." Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesMichael SragowSep 17, 2015
Ball and his cast overcome clichés with gusto. Read full review
60
New York Magazine (Vulture)Bilge EbiriSep 17, 2015
The Scorch Trials isn’t a particularly good movie, but it’s just fast and nutty enough to keep you entertained. Read full review
60
New York Daily NewsKatherine PushkarSep 16, 2015
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials does pretty well. It finishes respectably on a scale between “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” (fizzle) and “The Empire Strikes Back” (aces!). Read full review
60
The TelegraphTim RobeySep 16, 2015
The production design and effects for this apocalyptic terrain are way above par for this sort of thing, and evidence of a much higher budget than Ball had first time around. Read full review
60
Total FilmStephen KellySep 9, 2015
Scorch Trials ambitiously opens up its world with mixed results: gripping action, so-so script. Read full review
60
EmpireHelen O'HaraSep 8, 2015
While it’s a woefully incomplete middle chapter, at least it’s never boring. Read full review
58
The A.V. ClubTasha RobinsonSep 16, 2015
It comes across as unintentionally comic, because Scorch Trials is basically "Fleeing In Terror: The Movie." After more than two straight hours of running and screaming, screaming and running, no wonder Thomas is tired. Even marathoners gotta rest sometime. Read full review
50
ReelViewsJames BerardinelliSep 18, 2015
The visuals of a blasted city are impressive but hardly reason to spend $10 to sit in a theater seat and watch a bunch of underdeveloped characters get chased by zombies for an inordinate amount of time. Read full review
50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Andrew ParkerSep 17, 2015
On a thematic level, it remains wholly reprehensible and a fraudulent piece of entertainment. But at least it rips off some better films (Mad Max, Day of the Dead, The Matrix) with a good deal of energy. Read full review
50
Boston GlobeTom RussoSep 17, 2015
The movie may feel tonally consistent with the first, but it’s also overlong and thoroughly routine. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleWalter AddiegoSep 17, 2015
There’s lots of eye candy, and the pace is fast, but somehow the movie falls short. You’re forgiven if you get the idea that “Scorch Trials” suffers from “middle movie” fatigue. Read full review
50
New York PostKyle SmithSep 17, 2015
In Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, selfish oldsters scheme to rob young people of their vital essence, sacrificing them in the process. It’s basically “Social Security: The Movie.” Read full review
50
Washington PostMichael O'SullivanSep 17, 2015
It’s not a bad movie. It’s like several pretty good ones. Read full review
50
Chicago TribuneMichael PhillipsSep 17, 2015
Though Ball's workmanlike handling of the second in the trilogy, "The Scorch Trials," proves mainly that he can keep a franchise from running completely off the rails when the tracks have been laid perilously near a swamp of "dys-lit" cliches. Read full review
50
Entertainment WeeklyKevin P. SullivanSep 16, 2015
Left without a gimmick, The Scorch Trials wanders between YA cliches — there’s a Resistance, but it’s unclear what they’re resisting — and zombie movie tropes, with the obligatory a zombie bit our friend scene. Read full review
50
Movie NationRoger MooreSep 16, 2015
Starts at a sprint and hurtles at us for a good long, stretch, before it stops to catch its breath. Read full review
50
Screen DailyJohn HazeltonSep 8, 2015
With more action and less mystery, a returning director and main cast and a handful of sketchy new characters, The Scorch Trials makes for an efficient yet uninspiring sequel. Read full review
50
VarietyAndrew BarkerSep 8, 2015
The Scorch Trials offers virtually no character development and only hints of plot advancement, mostly just functioning to move a group of obliquely motivated characters from one place to another without giving much clue where the whole thing is headed. Read full review
42
The PlaylistNick SchagerSep 16, 2015
Director Wes Ball’s adaptation of the second book in author James Dashner’s popular series is the exact opposite of its predecessor, presenting a sprawling adventure that, when not liberally cribbing from more illustrious sci-fi forefathers, spends plentiful time fleshing out the dull details of its oppressed-youth scenario. Read full review
40
The New York TimesJohn WilliamsSep 17, 2015
The Scorch Trials adds nothing new to the unkillable dystopian genre, but it’s at least less ponderous than its predecessor. The many chases and ludicrous narrow escapes offer respectable doses of adrenaline. Read full review
40
Arizona RepublicBill GoodykoontzSep 17, 2015
Director Wes Ball's film is a mad dash from one place to the next, with little time in between for rest, recuperation or plot development. Read full review
40
The Hollywood ReporterJustin LoweSep 8, 2015
The second installment, which reveals some of the reasons behind their imprisonment, lacks a similar sense of originality and urgency, undercut by overly familiar characterizations and dilatory pacing. Read full review
38
RogerEbert.comChristy LemireSep 17, 2015
Larger than its predecessor, last year’s “The Maze Runner,” in every way: in its cast, scope, set pieces and (unfortunately) length. But “more” also means more convoluted. Read full review
38
Slant MagazineEd GonzalezSep 16, 2015
Every set piece brings to mind an Epcot Center attraction built from borrowed parts, geared toward reinforcing the young audience's belief that adults just don't understand them. Read full review
30
Austin ChronicleKimberley JonesSep 16, 2015
The trouble comes when somebody opens their mouth and you’re reminded this is supremely silly stuff, and overall a much lesser version of teens versus the titans of post-apocalypse industry – a copy of a copy of a copy. Read full review
20
The GuardianPeter BradshawSep 15, 2015
This film is making a wheezing, spluttering sound: the sound of a profitable YA franchise running out of steam. Read full review
20
TheWrapJames RocchiSep 9, 2015
One of the most tedious apocalypses to come down the chute in recent years, this series gets lamer, and lazier, with each entry. The only ‘Trial’ offered by this film is the ordeal of watching it. Read full review
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