The Scorch Trials the movie and adaptation

                Back to the work week we go.  I hope everyone had a great weekend full of good times.  Maybe some of you went to the movies this weekend, after all there was a book to movie adaptation coming out.  Yep the sequel to The Maze Runner, which is The Scorch Trials.  If you're interested in my thoughts on The Maze Runner movie you can check out that review here.  There will be spoilers from here on out for both the movie and the book.  I'll be rating it twice.  On the movie on it's own (well sequel but whatever) and then on its book adaptability.  So without further ado…

               

Movie Rating: 5 Stars

Book Adaptation Rating: 2 Stars

                I should probably start this off by saying that I did not get the chance to re-read The Scorch Trials book before the movie.  I wanted to have a refresher but there are just so many amazing books that I'm working on reading right now I didn't end up re-reading one I'd already enjoyed.  Keep in mind this is the book that I went on a mini adventure with a friend to locate the day it came out and I will always remember it for that.  So while I don't remember a lot of specific details of the book I remember the general points.  Hence the low rating for the adaptation part, so much major stuff was changed even I who read this book five years ago noticed.  So on that front it was slightly disappointing after The Maze Runner did a pretty solid job of sticking to the main points of the book.  I was expecting something a bit different.

                That being said I also really enjoyed the movie.  I find that as I had an addiction to movies before I rediscovered my love for reading again I am able most of the time to separate the book and the movie and be okay.  Now sometimes I'm just mad because I LOVED the book and wanted to see it made into the perfect adaptation and that doesn't happen.  Most of the time even if they change a lot of things I can still look at it and enjoy it as a movie rather than a book adaptation.  With The Scorch Trials I'm somewhat happy to see them changing so many things in the hopes that they will change the final book and some things I didn't care as much for (it involves a certain characters end).

                Differences.  I did find myself constantly waiting for certain things to happen.  Again I remember bigger parts and not little things so I couldn't be sure if everything happening was the same, lots felt different but the direction I was following.  The biggest thing that did bother me about the adaptation part, and maybe even the movie as I'm thinking about it now is the end of the Maze Runner and title.  In the book The Scorch Trials were trials and WICKED followed their progress through the Scorch and it was deadly and dangerous and such but it was much like the maze in that they were monitoring them, all part of the plan.  That's even how the movie leads you to believe, "initiate the scorch trials," she says at the end of The Maze Runner.  Still the movie goes off in that they escape and are on the run.  I liked the idea and the visuals and such don't get me wrong but it was no longer a trial which given the title is misleading. 

                A few other things I wish would have been included in the movie was a better explanation for the worlds current state, a rehash from the end of movie one with the sun flares, but more a how any people survived and a better description of the Cranks.  We see them and are chased by them but they aren't explained properly.  They were more like fast moving zombies. I remembered Cranks from the books but I know some who didn't read the books were a bit confused where the zombies came from.   

                The movie while following a different path than the book featured lots of action and dystopian like atmosphere.  There is still lots of running and struggling to survive.  We get to see our favorite characters and how they react to different situations.  Remember none of them remember life before waking up in the maze so everything else is new to them.  To spend all your time trying to escape to something better and to find the scorch waiting for you.  Talk about a shock to your system.  I just love Newt and Minho!  We also get to meet Brenda and Jorge who were not what I described and I admit after seeing Jorge I couldn't stop thinking of Revolution.  I also loved my Firefly flash back seeing Wash and Game of Thrones with Littlefinger (whom I don't normally like his characters I do love is accent)! Anywho lots of deception and betrayal and evil companies who swear they are doing everything for the good of everyone but do we believe them?  The whole sacrifice a few to save many mentality has always been interesting to me in its variations.  

On the scorch...

                 Overall though again I really enjoyed the movie as a whole individually.  I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.  Still as an adaptation it was rather low on my scale.  I honestly think people who enjoyed the first movie but didn't read the series may enjoy it more than die hard fans of the books.  If you read the book and liked it, I would still say give it a shot but keep an open mind and don't expect things to stay the same.  Bright side is having read the book doesn't mean you know what will happen next.  That's all I have to share at the moment.  Remember comments feed the bloggers soul so tell me what you think below.  Have you seen the movie yet?  Read the series?  What did you think of the changes? 

               

                Until next time.

My thoughts on The Maze Runner Movie

 

               This weekend another book to movie adaptation was released and I was there to check out The Maze Runner.  I have been excited for this movie since I first saw pictures for it.  Now this movie was supposed to be released back in February but it got moved back, I understand they needed more time to finish the product and not rush it, I'm glad.  You don't want to rush something with a huge set and a lot of moving parts.  Now I admit I had a lot going on and I did not have the chance to do what I normally do and reread the book to have it fresh in my mind so book specifics I was a tad bit hazy on but the overall plot/story was still there. I didn't watch a lot of trailers beforehand because if I wasn’t going to get to reread then I wanted to go in fresher.  I saw them once or twice and saw a lot that I remembered.  So these are my thoughts on the movie.          

See how similar they are

                The first real pictures I saw about the movie were ones that reminded me of the book cover and that has to be a positive thing right, to associate a photo of the movie with the cover itself.  I was a bit leery of how they were going to bring a story like this to life and not make it super cheesy.   Being hazy and all I know they did change some things and how it came into play or was relayed.  I get it and I feel the overall plot of the book and the story being told was provided to the audience very well.  I didn't feel like I was missing anything or that I was confused about what was happening at all, which sometimes with movies involving new worlds can be an issue that is usually explained with an info dump.  But with the characters arriving and having no memory, it worked out perfectly because as our main character Thomas arrives they have to explain things to him and in turn to the audience.  You got a feel for The Glade and the boys in it with their own type of language and the community they built for themselves.  The characters easily came back to me and I was so happy to see some of them come to life and to see them played by the cast chosen, Thomas, Newt, Teresa, Minho, Alby, Gally, and little Chuck.  They each had their own little things that made them unique in the books and that shown through with just how different they look and are built and the rolls they took on in the culture of The Glade.  Kudos to the actors for great performances. 

               The story is packed full of action and mystery as the Gladers try and figure a way out and deal with the changes happening around them.  When I saw action we get to see the Grievers and they were just as icky as I imagined when reading.  Something is constantly going on and moving there isn't any dull or dead space.  They packed the almost 2 hours with everything it needed and nothing it didn't.  I felt the time just flew by.  I also liked the change to the mazes and how it made a little more sense for the audience and the 3D map was way cooler.  Also there is a lot of running in this film, running for answers, for safety, for escape, basically I wouldn't survive in this world but it did make me want to start doing cardio again, so that's pretty nifty also.

                If you didn’t know The Maze Runner is book 1 of  a trilogy (with a prequel companion novel), and I really hope we get to see the other movies.  They left it like in the book where you want more and are anxious for it.  Trust me.  I originally read The Maze Runner shortly after it first came out.  I really enjoyed it and was counting down the days until book 2, there was a cliffhanger afterall.  Then on that day I planned my shopping trip around it, as at the time I lived 30 miles from the closest Walmart or Books A  Million.  I went in all happy and no one in my area had it, neither Walmart (there are 2), not Sam's Club (where I got book #1 originally), or the only actual book retailer Books A Million.  I was in shock and in need of this book, I'd been waiting for it after all.  So thanks to smart phones I was able to locate a B&N about an hour from my apartment (opposite direction of where I was at the moment), and called to confirm they had it in stock, even made the guy go get it and physically hold it in his hand for me to make sure it was not a computer error.  Hey it was a long drive for a book. 

                Well I went to my apartment dropped off my groceries, because yes I still did get those while searching for my book, and asked my friend/co-worker/neighbor who knew about my plan to purchase that book on release day to come with.  She said yes, even though she teased me a bit about my determination for a book, and we went off on our little mini road trip for a book.  Yes I drove over 3 hours in total looking book 2 but I found it and I had a good time on my journey.  We ended up doing some early Christmas shopping at shops we don’t normally see, plus being B&N is huge bought more than the one book, as well and had dinner and a pretty amazing time driving around someplace new. 

The Scorch Trials is the one I went on my adventure for.

                I admit these books have a special spot in my heart and some great memories to go with them.  I will always associate this series with good times.  I find I have some memorable stories about obtaining or reading the majority of the books I have and I think that makes it special.  That when I look at my bookshelf I have nothing but happiness and fond memories for the experiences themselves but also with the stories and pretty covers. 

                Due to work schedules and jazz I was unable to get my friend up to come see it with me, being she was off the previous weekend for my Birthday (she's an awesome friend).  But I have advised her she will be seeing it so we can discuss.  In the movie, being alone I was also able to people watch.  I could tell that the majority of the people in there did not read the book, everyone seemed shocked by the end saying they left it open for a sequel.  I helpfully advised it was the first book in a trilogy by James Dashner and to check them out.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the movie and clearly they were unfamiliar with the books.  I think the best book to movie adaptations are the ones that don't leave non-readers feeling like they didn’t understand it completely.  That being said I give this movie 5 Stars for both the movie and an A+ for movie adaptation.  Anyone can enjoy this movie so if you didn't get into the book or haven't had the chance yet you can still enjoy the movie.

                So Greenies share your thoughts.  Have you already seen the movie?  Read the series?  What did you think?