Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Blu-ray Review

"Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials," presented on Blu-ray by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, features an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio. The film, captured digitally with the Arri Alexa XT Plus, benefits from a traditional color grading approach with predominant blue and yellow hues, occasionally punctuated by purple tones. This aesthetic choice does not detract from the overall detail, which remains crisp and clear. Early scenes, drenched in blue tones, demonstrate significant sharpness, while the more natural lighting of the Scorch sequences reveals abundant fine detail and commendable clarity. While contrast remains slightly uneven, resulting in minimal murkiness in darker sequences, the depth of field, particularly in New Mexico’s wilderness, and the soft but detailed CGI vistas of ruined urban landscapes highlight exceptional visual depth.

The sci-fi sequel reaches Blu-ray with a stunning 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode, displaying a richly saturated and nuanced color palette reminiscent of Max and Furiosa's adventure. Flesh tones are vividly natural, supporting lifelike depictions of the diverse cast. Despite a digital photography bias towards an orange-teal gradient, primary colors remain vibrant and earth tones add warmth. The image achieves superb clarity through spot-on contrast, making distant details such as mountaintops and decrepit buildings clearly visible. Intricate details like clothing threads and textural nuances in debris are sharply defined, as is every grain of sand in the desert. Black levels are immaculate, offering significant dimensionality and a film-like quality to the 2.40:1 presentation.

"Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" on Blu-ray excels with a blisteringly effective DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 mix that delivers an engrossing auditory experience for audiophiles and action-adventure enthusiasts alike. Boasting a wealth of LFE, the sound design includes booming effects intertwined with the lower registers of John Paesano's bombastic score, enriching several set pieces with discrete channelization and cross-channel panning effects. Fidelity remains superb throughout the presentation, ensuring excellent prioritization even in the most cacophonous sequences. Dialogue clarity is maintained impeccably with no distortions or issues reported.

The DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack generates a tremendously thrilling and intensely immersive environment that is consistent from start to finish. The rear channels actively envelop the listener with a rich variety of atmospherics and subtle ambient effects—from echoing voices and scattered debris to thunderous storm clashes and overhead helicopters. Directionality within the soundfield is meticulous, creating an expansive front soundstage where panning effects seamlessly traverse from front to back and side to side. Mid-range frequencies shine with precise clarity and definition, maintaining superb separation between mids and highs. Even during high-intensity sequences, the audio remains detailed and free of distortion, while dialogue remains distinctly clear in the center channel, thus providing a commanding and exhilarating listening experience through this lossless audio mix.

The Blu-ray extras for "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" are a comprehensive collection that enhances the viewing experience by offering an in-depth look at the film's production, visual effects, and cast performances. The extras include a detailed audio commentary featuring contributions from director Wes Ball, writer/producer T.S. Nowlin, producer Joe Hartwick, Jr., and editor Dan Zimmerman, focusing on technical aspects and the adaptation of the book. The extensive "Secrets of The Scorch" featurette provides substantial behind-the-scenes insights through a series of interviews and footage. Visual effects aficionados will find the Visual Effects Breakdown and Reel particularly informative, with optional commentary adding extra depth. The disc also includes engaging deleted scenes, a humorous gag reel, and captivating concept art and storyboards within the galleries. Additionally, the package is supplemented with theatrical trailers and a collectible Maze Runner comic book.

Extras included in this disc:

• Janson’s Report (Classified): Faux confessionals from closed circuit cameras.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes: Optional commentary by key production staff.
• Secrets of The Scorch: Featurettes with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
• Gag Reel: Humorous outtakes.
• Visual Effects: Breakdown and reel with optional commentary.
• Audio Commentary: Technical discussion by director and producers.
• Galleries: Concept art and storyboards.
• Theatrical Trailers: Promotional trailers.
• Maze Runner Comic Book: Collectible addition to the package.

"Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" plunges viewers into a tumultuous environment right from the start, much like the disoriented Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) and his band of maze survivors. Early on, the film bombards audiences with terminology such as Gladers, Cranks, Flare, and WCKD, which may leave some viewers scrambling to catch up. This deliberate chaos mirrors the characters' confusion upon escaping the maze, thrusting them into a new and equally perplexing predicament. Screenwriter T.S. Nowlin and director Wes Ball commence with an evocative dream sequence reminiscent of other dystopian franchises, revealing hints of Thomas’ past and setting up a narrative structure that sometimes feels overly predictable. The film’s narrative often stumbles with repetitive story beats, struggling to maintain consistent momentum akin to its predecessor.

The early portion of the movie sees Thomas and his group housed in an ostensibly safe industrial facility managed by the shady Janson (Aidan Gillen). The initially promising setup is dragged out unnecessarily, filling over half an hour with predictable reveals and drawn-out tension. Once the group escapes, the plot truly picks up as they navigate the desolate Scorch, confronting Cranks, and dealing with the unseen yet ever-threatening forces of WCKD. New alliances are formed with characters like Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito) and Brenda (Rosa Salazar), injecting fresh energy into the film. Yet, the film's transition into discussions about a resistance group and potential cures feels hurried, glossing over intriguing moral dilemmas in favor of high-octane sequences.

Despite its overstuffed narrative and often predictable plotting, "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" delivers a robust mixture of action and intelligent thematic elements. It successfully expands on the dystopian landscape introduced in its predecessor, albeit with less subtlety and more emphasis on visual spectacle. This installment broadens its appeal by tackling complex issues, though it ultimately falls short of fully exploring them due to its ambitious scope and time constraints. The result is a film that remains engaging and thought-provoking, if somewhat flawed in its execution.

"Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" hits the ground running, seamlessly picking up the threads from its predecessor and expanding the narrative with a more complex and engaging storyline. This second installment succeeds in heightening the stakes faced by its young cast, introducing a desolate landscape fraught with peril and intrigue. However, the film's ambitious scope results in an overextended runtime, causing it to feel like two movies awkwardly merged into one. Trimming 15-20 minutes and tightening the first act could have provided greater narrative momentum and cohesion.

Nevertheless, the production design is impressive, showcasing artfully staged set pieces that immerse viewers into the scorched dystopia. The young cast delivers performances with commendable professionalism, further grounding the film despite its occasional narrative excesses. While the final moments may venture into the realm of hyperbole, they do little to detract from the overall cinematic experience.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation excels with reference-quality audio and video that will delight home media enthusiasts. The Ultimate Fan Edition includes a well-rounded set of bonus materials, adding value for fans of the franchise.

The problem with running a maze is one wrong turn, and you're right back where you started. The same might be said of this very franchise. Fans of the series may overlook this sequel’s shortcomings, but the final chapter must offer a definitive resolution rather than rehashing old conflicts. "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" comes recommended, with the caveat that it ultimately feels like a stepping stone to what we hope will be a more satisfying conclusion in the trilogy.