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Don’t Judge a Book by its Movie is a weekly feature on The Candid Cover spotlighting and reviewing book to movie adaptations.
BooK vs. Movie: The Scorch Trials
The book vs. movie differences of The Scorch Trials are quite large. If you enjoyed the first film in The Maze Runner series, I urge you to rush out to the box office when The Scorch Trials arrives in theatres on September 18th. Although the movie may leave fans of the books wondering why the movie is not quite the same, they will quickly find enjoyment in this new take on the exciting world that James Dashner created. The Scorch Trials is a whirlwind of a movie that will entertain and delight those who enjoy action and suspense.
Author: James Dashner
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Cast: Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster
Director: Wes Ball
Screenplay: T.S. Nowlin
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction, Action/Adventure
Publication Date: October 12, 2010
Rating:
Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end.
Thomas was sure that escape from the Maze would mean freedom for him and the Gladers. But WICKED isn’t done yet. Phase Two has just begun. The Scorch.
There are no rules. There is no help. You either make it or you die.
The Gladers have two weeks to cross through the Scorch—the most burned-out section of the world. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.
Friendships will be tested. Loyalties will be broken. All bets are off.
There are others now. Their survival depends on the Gladers’ destruction—and they’re determined to survive.
❀ An Action-Packed Book
Fans of the first book in the Maze Runner series will not be disappointed with The Scorch Trials. This second instalment to Dashner’s incredible tale moves from The Glade to a completely new setting, the Scorch. This world is so detailed and amazing with its futuristic and abandoned backdrop. While, it might not be a place the readers will want to visit, this world burned by the sun is a fantastic means for the Gladers to experience a whole new set of trials. This action-packed story takes the characters through so many obstacles, such as disease, that it is hard to imagine them coming out alive.
❀ Movie is Loosely Tied to the Book
While I absolutely adored the series written by James Dashner, I found myself disappointed at first that the film adaptation was only loosely tied to the novel. Getting over this all too common experience when watching these movies adapted from books was relatively easy with The Scorch Trials. The screenplay is so well done and the action never seems to stop. Viewers are whipped from one scene to the next in what seems like a never ending battle for the characters! This is an action film fan’s dream come true!
❀ Reading the Book Before Seeing the Movie isn’t Necessary
Don’t get me wrong, not all that is in the book is lost in the movie version. The Gladers do ultimately follow the same concept that surrounds survival and escape from the Scorch. In the film, however, the details surrounding the Flare disease and the actual trials themselves are presented to the Gladers and the audience in a completely different fashion. Reading the book will definitely help the viewer understand some of the backstory in the film, but is not necessary to enjoy this adaptation.
❀ A Must-See Film
As a James Dashner fan and a supporter of his Maze Runner series, The Scorch Trials film is a must-see. Although, the movie deviates from the book, it is so fast paced and full of surprise, readers will find themselves giving in to the changes and enjoy the movie as its own entity. An understanding of the story is useful, but not necessary to find pleasure in this next movie in the Maze Runner film series.
About James Dashner
James is the author of THE MAZE RUNNER trilogy and THE 13TH REALITY series. He also published a series (beginning with A DOOR IN THE WOODS) with a small publisher several years ago. He lives and writes in the Rocky Mountains.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.