The characters were annoying,cast was annoying,nearly every scene have deaths so there were a small and fastened plot,which was bad. But it was still watchable and original bloody carnage movie. Like Hunt's death and the Mechanic-with-no-spine. As I say,the worst of the series,but not boring.
395 Reviews
Gimmicky Horror
DirtyStarling1 September 2009
For me, a rating of 5 out of 10 means I didn't like the movie, but I didn't hate it either.
"The Final Destination" is a 3D horror thriller gimmick. Even though I saw this in 2D, there were many elements that were very obviously designed to be in 3D to take full advantage of the medium.
However, the film itself just isn't good.
The acting is terrible. The story is formulaic. There's nothing really interesting as far as the plot. No discussion of death. No new interesting concepts. Lots of fluff in the form of false kills. And the entire film from the opening credits to the closing credits is about the methods in which these people die.
What this movie is really about is killing young, attractive individuals in a manner which will compliment the 3D. Nothing else. It's just killing people using a Rube Goldberg device or a flying object in 3D.
Some of the special effects are good, and a few of the deaths are interesting, however, the film doesn't really do anything for me. It's just kind of there. I don't really hate it, but I don't really like it either. I also don't really care for 3D in general. I think it's a stupid way of getting you to pay a little extra, like IMAX (which is a bigger screen and some extra speakers. Yaay).
Overall, if you like the 3D gimmick; you're just looking for a movie to take a few friends to and have a little fun; and you don't really care about plot, characters, or story, you might have some fun. To anyone else, I wouldn't really recommend it. It's just a studio gimmick and can be easily ignored.
5/10 - Nothing special.
"The Final Destination" is a 3D horror thriller gimmick. Even though I saw this in 2D, there were many elements that were very obviously designed to be in 3D to take full advantage of the medium.
However, the film itself just isn't good.
The acting is terrible. The story is formulaic. There's nothing really interesting as far as the plot. No discussion of death. No new interesting concepts. Lots of fluff in the form of false kills. And the entire film from the opening credits to the closing credits is about the methods in which these people die.
What this movie is really about is killing young, attractive individuals in a manner which will compliment the 3D. Nothing else. It's just killing people using a Rube Goldberg device or a flying object in 3D.
Some of the special effects are good, and a few of the deaths are interesting, however, the film doesn't really do anything for me. It's just kind of there. I don't really hate it, but I don't really like it either. I also don't really care for 3D in general. I think it's a stupid way of getting you to pay a little extra, like IMAX (which is a bigger screen and some extra speakers. Yaay).
Overall, if you like the 3D gimmick; you're just looking for a movie to take a few friends to and have a little fun; and you don't really care about plot, characters, or story, you might have some fun. To anyone else, I wouldn't really recommend it. It's just a studio gimmick and can be easily ignored.
5/10 - Nothing special.
The worst in the series
jinkazama1030 August 2009
This was the worst entry in the series for the following reasons:
1. At approximately 80 minutes the film is too short and there isn't any sort of time given to building up tension.
2. Pretty much all of the deaths are given away in the previews, so when someone dies its no surprise whatsoever. By taking away the surprise aspect the movie was ruined.
3. There is even less of a plot here then the other 3. Granted the basic premise is the same but they didn't even try here.
4. The deaths themselves were very "meh" and fake looking. Way too much CGI was used. Not only that but they cut away from what probably would have been the most visually interesting death. 5. No Tony Todd. He was seen in the first 2 and heard in the 3rd one. At this point the fans expect to see him. They should have tried to get him in here somehow.
I could go on and on. I hope that if they make a 5th one that James Wong (who directed the first and third films) returns to give the series a proper send off as the David Ellis entries to the franchise (the second and fourth films) are definitely the weakest links in the series. To his credit though, part 2 did probably have some of the best deaths in the series (opening premonition, fire escape ladder, and plate glass).
1. At approximately 80 minutes the film is too short and there isn't any sort of time given to building up tension.
2. Pretty much all of the deaths are given away in the previews, so when someone dies its no surprise whatsoever. By taking away the surprise aspect the movie was ruined.
3. There is even less of a plot here then the other 3. Granted the basic premise is the same but they didn't even try here.
4. The deaths themselves were very "meh" and fake looking. Way too much CGI was used. Not only that but they cut away from what probably would have been the most visually interesting death. 5. No Tony Todd. He was seen in the first 2 and heard in the 3rd one. At this point the fans expect to see him. They should have tried to get him in here somehow.
I could go on and on. I hope that if they make a 5th one that James Wong (who directed the first and third films) returns to give the series a proper send off as the David Ellis entries to the franchise (the second and fourth films) are definitely the weakest links in the series. To his credit though, part 2 did probably have some of the best deaths in the series (opening premonition, fire escape ladder, and plate glass).
A series of fatally unfortunate events
Jay_Exiomo2 September 2009
Arriving on local theaters without the benefit of 3-D, the novelty of "The Final Destination" goes doubly kaput, as it not only lacks inspired deaths and sympathetic characters, but also because the flatness of David R. Ellis' body bag-fodder isn't mitigated by whatever shallow entertainment an additional dimension might have brought.
Eric Bress' script wastes no time in shaping its interchangeable characters as, apparently, Death has to immediately dive into placing its cardboard victims in intricate fatalities that have been the series' central gimmick. Nick (Bobby Campo) experiences a premonition of a disaster in a race track and manages to get a few people out, who would have otherwise died. As per the franchise's tradition, Death won't be cheated and it starts to do anything -- like toppling cans and letting waters drip -- to create a ripple of events that would eliminate the survivors.
Despite showing how lame entertainment can be entertainingly lame with "Snakes on a Plane," Ellis -- who also directed "Final Destination 2" -- doesn't strive for an ounce of creativity, resulting to a terribly disposable fare that fails to hit its its mark despite aiming so low. And as embodied by the narrative shortcuts this gorefest constantly employs, the Rube Goldberg set pieces start to feel less impressive than mechanical, which makes one believe that Death has worked itself too much over the last three installments.
Eric Bress' script wastes no time in shaping its interchangeable characters as, apparently, Death has to immediately dive into placing its cardboard victims in intricate fatalities that have been the series' central gimmick. Nick (Bobby Campo) experiences a premonition of a disaster in a race track and manages to get a few people out, who would have otherwise died. As per the franchise's tradition, Death won't be cheated and it starts to do anything -- like toppling cans and letting waters drip -- to create a ripple of events that would eliminate the survivors.
Despite showing how lame entertainment can be entertainingly lame with "Snakes on a Plane," Ellis -- who also directed "Final Destination 2" -- doesn't strive for an ounce of creativity, resulting to a terribly disposable fare that fails to hit its its mark despite aiming so low. And as embodied by the narrative shortcuts this gorefest constantly employs, the Rube Goldberg set pieces start to feel less impressive than mechanical, which makes one believe that Death has worked itself too much over the last three installments.
Take the trip in Real D 3D
moviewizguy29 August 2009
I would like to start off by saying I'm a fan of the FINAL DESTINATION series. Even the much maligned third film is starting to grow on me. When it was announced that David Ellis was returning to the director chair (along with screenwriter Eric Bress), I was quite excited, considering that part two is arguably the best in the series. But this one. If I were to describe this film in one word, I would say DISAPPOINTING. In fact, this is one of the most disappointing movies of this year! The fact that the makers of part two has returned just adds on to the frustration.
The film starts off pretty rushed. In fact, the film is rushed altogether. You feel as if the filmmakers wanted to get through with the film. The laziness is so apparent in here that you're wondering how much the executives offered in their salary. The film is so lazy that there are even glaring plot holes in the hackneyed script! How the hell does a film that is based on something ridiculous have plot holes? The film—better yet, the franchise, spends most of its time in setting up rules on the order people are going to die yet this film ignores practically everything and kills people in any order it feels like!
Even the clever foreshadowing from the previous films is quite blatant here. The laziness is also extended to the death scenes. Remember, quality, not quantity. Even though this film has the most death scenes compared to the previous entries, most of them suck and even that word wouldn't give the deaths that much justice. We all have to admit it sooner or later but we see these films for the death scenes. What is the freaking point in watching this film if they turn out to be lazy to an extent that some death scenes are rehashed from previous FD films? Exactly. There is no point.
Another problem about the death scenes is that there is barely any suspense when people are about to get killed. Usually, in the FD films, seeing the set up of the Rube Goldberg-like death scenes IS the suspense, but in here, they feel as if they come out of nowhere because of how rushed everything is. They're surprising, yes, but the surprises wear off very quickly. Google up Alfred Hitchcock's definition of "suspense" to learn the difference between surprise and suspense.
Let's move on to the next problem: CGI. With the 3D technology, it's obvious the filmmakers wanted to add more CGI effects so the images could pop out on the screen. The problem here is that the FINAL DESTINATION series is always known for their practical effects. The premonition sequence in here works well in 3D, sure, but the CGI is terrible! They look so fake that I questioned how this film wasn't released direct to DVD.
You know you have a bad film when a franchise that was supposed to be scary and mysterious now turns into something that pokes fun of itself. It has happened many times before, most notably, the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET franchise. It's as if the filmmakers were aware that the franchise is dying and that their last attempt was to add self-aware characters and idiotic, dumb lines in the film with the many problems the film already has.
Even the characters are more like an excuse to kill them off later. It's apparent that this isn't a movie but more of a carnival ride, waiting to see who dies and how they will die. That's how low this film has gone. You'd also be surprised to find out that the most fleshed out character is, in fact, not the protagonist, but a supporting character, played by Mykelti Williamson. He gives a laughable and forced performance but that's nothing compared to Bobby Campo, who is easily the worst premonitionist in the franchise. He can't act to save his life. And the less we say about the others, the better. However, I'm willing to admit the only character I did feel sympathy for was played by Krista Allen, who plays a motherly role with an extremely short running time.
However, there are other few things that I liked about the film (emphasis on the word "few"): There's a sequence in a salon and a car wash that have at least SOME suspense. I don't know if this counts but I also liked the opening credits, which I thought was ingenious, a montage of the previous films' memorable death scenes. And that's about it. Three things. What an accomplishment!
I guess it isn't hard to tell but this is, by far, the weakest in the series because there's nothing new. You'd expect that a mythology so easily expandable would be explored here but no. By the end of the film, you feel underwhelmed. You wished they could have done better. In fact, you KNOW they could have done better. If they were to make a fifth film, they better put some thought into it. If you're thinking about watching this movie only ONCE, you should see it in its intended format in 3D AND in theaters, but I don't see why anyone should waste their money on this film.
The film starts off pretty rushed. In fact, the film is rushed altogether. You feel as if the filmmakers wanted to get through with the film. The laziness is so apparent in here that you're wondering how much the executives offered in their salary. The film is so lazy that there are even glaring plot holes in the hackneyed script! How the hell does a film that is based on something ridiculous have plot holes? The film—better yet, the franchise, spends most of its time in setting up rules on the order people are going to die yet this film ignores practically everything and kills people in any order it feels like!
Even the clever foreshadowing from the previous films is quite blatant here. The laziness is also extended to the death scenes. Remember, quality, not quantity. Even though this film has the most death scenes compared to the previous entries, most of them suck and even that word wouldn't give the deaths that much justice. We all have to admit it sooner or later but we see these films for the death scenes. What is the freaking point in watching this film if they turn out to be lazy to an extent that some death scenes are rehashed from previous FD films? Exactly. There is no point.
Another problem about the death scenes is that there is barely any suspense when people are about to get killed. Usually, in the FD films, seeing the set up of the Rube Goldberg-like death scenes IS the suspense, but in here, they feel as if they come out of nowhere because of how rushed everything is. They're surprising, yes, but the surprises wear off very quickly. Google up Alfred Hitchcock's definition of "suspense" to learn the difference between surprise and suspense.
Let's move on to the next problem: CGI. With the 3D technology, it's obvious the filmmakers wanted to add more CGI effects so the images could pop out on the screen. The problem here is that the FINAL DESTINATION series is always known for their practical effects. The premonition sequence in here works well in 3D, sure, but the CGI is terrible! They look so fake that I questioned how this film wasn't released direct to DVD.
You know you have a bad film when a franchise that was supposed to be scary and mysterious now turns into something that pokes fun of itself. It has happened many times before, most notably, the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET franchise. It's as if the filmmakers were aware that the franchise is dying and that their last attempt was to add self-aware characters and idiotic, dumb lines in the film with the many problems the film already has.
Even the characters are more like an excuse to kill them off later. It's apparent that this isn't a movie but more of a carnival ride, waiting to see who dies and how they will die. That's how low this film has gone. You'd also be surprised to find out that the most fleshed out character is, in fact, not the protagonist, but a supporting character, played by Mykelti Williamson. He gives a laughable and forced performance but that's nothing compared to Bobby Campo, who is easily the worst premonitionist in the franchise. He can't act to save his life. And the less we say about the others, the better. However, I'm willing to admit the only character I did feel sympathy for was played by Krista Allen, who plays a motherly role with an extremely short running time.
However, there are other few things that I liked about the film (emphasis on the word "few"): There's a sequence in a salon and a car wash that have at least SOME suspense. I don't know if this counts but I also liked the opening credits, which I thought was ingenious, a montage of the previous films' memorable death scenes. And that's about it. Three things. What an accomplishment!
I guess it isn't hard to tell but this is, by far, the weakest in the series because there's nothing new. You'd expect that a mythology so easily expandable would be explored here but no. By the end of the film, you feel underwhelmed. You wished they could have done better. In fact, you KNOW they could have done better. If they were to make a fifth film, they better put some thought into it. If you're thinking about watching this movie only ONCE, you should see it in its intended format in 3D AND in theaters, but I don't see why anyone should waste their money on this film.
A Nutshell Review: The Final Destination 3D
DICK STEEL27 August 2009
If you're a fan of the franchise, you'd know the drill by now, and can probably mentally run through all the cliché moments you'll be expected to see being played out on screen once again. Start with a spectacular death-defying escape from certain demise, and because Death cannot accept those who cheated on him, hence begins that hunter-prey game where the Death's invisible hand starts to design some elaborate life-ending sequence for its victims, sometimes with some wickedly black humour thrown in.
Seriously though, Death has turned hip in the series, allowing a select group of survivors led by a prophetic messenger, if anything just to challenge himself to pick them off one by one through the simple rule of elimination in order of the premonition, dangling the carrot that whosoever can break any of his death traps, will be worthy of a second chance in life, not. One thing's for sure, an audience is not going to just walk in and expect great acting or high drama. All we want, simply and crudely put, is to see how brutal or comical death can result from sometimes the most ridiculous of set ups.
To top its predecessors, this installment had its introductory big scene set in stock car racing, which is the perfect avenue for 101 things to go wrong, and when they do, have thousands of potential victims to pick off from. While the very first movie had a spectacular, and some say too realistic for good taste in having witness from within a plane break up and explode upon take-off, this one had an adrenaline pumping race that got enhanced thanks to the latest gimmick in town, 3D.
And while some films are presented in 3D format without exploiting its 3D elements to the maximum, The Final Destination milked every single sequence that it could. From the get go you have objects darting around and flying toward you, be it huge tyres or mashed body insides, everything got hurled toward you from the screen, which I have to admit made me duck a couple of times, having deliberately chosen to sit up front so that the screen totally enveloped my field of vision. But there were still some sequences that looked quite cheaply done though, akin to the quality of those made for television movies due to a smaller budget devoted to effects. But for what it's worth as a 3D film, this is one of the better contemporary live action ones out there now.
One does not expect Oscar winning material in its storyline or acting, though the eye-candy cast made sitting through this film palatable, even if they're acting range comes with vast rooms for improvement. The film's relatively short, clocking under 90 minutes, and had enough cheat sheet deja-vu moments (which included the opening credits priming you on what to excpect) to repeat itself for the sole purpose of bloating the runtime. It also ran out of steam in its final act, leading to a very convenient and rushed conclusion which was just probably director David R. Ellis' way of saying "I do not know how to end this".
Will there be another Final Destination? Sure, if the writers can dream up of another shocker of an opening sequence to set the stage for more deathly carnage to happen. It's no brainer, and if box office results this opening weekend prove to be stellar, then we should expect this franchise to develop some legs to keep going on. And on. But if that happens, this will be viewed in 3D, or naught.
Seriously though, Death has turned hip in the series, allowing a select group of survivors led by a prophetic messenger, if anything just to challenge himself to pick them off one by one through the simple rule of elimination in order of the premonition, dangling the carrot that whosoever can break any of his death traps, will be worthy of a second chance in life, not. One thing's for sure, an audience is not going to just walk in and expect great acting or high drama. All we want, simply and crudely put, is to see how brutal or comical death can result from sometimes the most ridiculous of set ups.
To top its predecessors, this installment had its introductory big scene set in stock car racing, which is the perfect avenue for 101 things to go wrong, and when they do, have thousands of potential victims to pick off from. While the very first movie had a spectacular, and some say too realistic for good taste in having witness from within a plane break up and explode upon take-off, this one had an adrenaline pumping race that got enhanced thanks to the latest gimmick in town, 3D.
And while some films are presented in 3D format without exploiting its 3D elements to the maximum, The Final Destination milked every single sequence that it could. From the get go you have objects darting around and flying toward you, be it huge tyres or mashed body insides, everything got hurled toward you from the screen, which I have to admit made me duck a couple of times, having deliberately chosen to sit up front so that the screen totally enveloped my field of vision. But there were still some sequences that looked quite cheaply done though, akin to the quality of those made for television movies due to a smaller budget devoted to effects. But for what it's worth as a 3D film, this is one of the better contemporary live action ones out there now.
One does not expect Oscar winning material in its storyline or acting, though the eye-candy cast made sitting through this film palatable, even if they're acting range comes with vast rooms for improvement. The film's relatively short, clocking under 90 minutes, and had enough cheat sheet deja-vu moments (which included the opening credits priming you on what to excpect) to repeat itself for the sole purpose of bloating the runtime. It also ran out of steam in its final act, leading to a very convenient and rushed conclusion which was just probably director David R. Ellis' way of saying "I do not know how to end this".
Will there be another Final Destination? Sure, if the writers can dream up of another shocker of an opening sequence to set the stage for more deathly carnage to happen. It's no brainer, and if box office results this opening weekend prove to be stellar, then we should expect this franchise to develop some legs to keep going on. And on. But if that happens, this will be viewed in 3D, or naught.
It's not actually final...
hitchcockthelegend9 March 2010
You can just imagine the suits sitting around their big round table discussing how to churn out another financially beneficial Final Destination movie and get away with it. Big suit number one puts forward that they obviously need more inventive mouse trap like deaths. Big suit number two has the genius notion that 3D is again taking off so why not utilise that option too. And that's pretty much all that it took, with the end result being a movie that is very self aware of its roots, but still plays out as the runt of the Final Destination litter.
Just as the director of the first one, James Wong, was brought back to direct part 3, the makers here bring back the director of part 2, David R. Ellis, to direct part 4! Which ultimately proves to be nothing more than some sort of nepotism like factor because The Final Destination is basically just over 82 minutes of poor acting, bad writing and a series of kills weaved together by the odd 5 minutes of barely relevant characterisations (the exposition as painful as the gory deaths!).
The kills entertain as they pretty much always have throughout the franchise, with the opening disaster sequences (here set at a speedway stadium) continuing one of the series' great traditions. While the opening and closing X-Ray/Skeletal credit sequences are superb and a credit to those involved. Yet it all feels so tired, where in spite of the willingness to upgrade the technology, it's still lazy and has nothing to really justify its very being other than that to make easy money.
The makers of part 5 would have to come up with something special to not turn this franchise from being one that was once bright and inventive, into that of a money train joke. 4/10
Just as the director of the first one, James Wong, was brought back to direct part 3, the makers here bring back the director of part 2, David R. Ellis, to direct part 4! Which ultimately proves to be nothing more than some sort of nepotism like factor because The Final Destination is basically just over 82 minutes of poor acting, bad writing and a series of kills weaved together by the odd 5 minutes of barely relevant characterisations (the exposition as painful as the gory deaths!).
The kills entertain as they pretty much always have throughout the franchise, with the opening disaster sequences (here set at a speedway stadium) continuing one of the series' great traditions. While the opening and closing X-Ray/Skeletal credit sequences are superb and a credit to those involved. Yet it all feels so tired, where in spite of the willingness to upgrade the technology, it's still lazy and has nothing to really justify its very being other than that to make easy money.
The makers of part 5 would have to come up with something special to not turn this franchise from being one that was once bright and inventive, into that of a money train joke. 4/10
Good but not good...
MrTravisL23 August 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I just finished watching this (having seen the other 3 and never got a chance to see this one in theatres) so that I can see number 5 soon. I liked it, sort of... It being at a race track was pretty awesome (way cooler than a Plane, Car Pileup, and Roller-coaster in my opinion). The actors did a great job, the graphics were awesome. Overall this movie is awesome, EXCEPT 1 thing...
The whole part of the Final Destination series, is the kids having visions and excaping death. In the first 3, the kids have 1 vision (at the beginning that gets them saved and starts the movie) that acts like they are going back in time... The start of the movie comes, all the deaths happen then you find out it's a vision. In THIS one, the kid has a total of 7 visions... 2 of them being like the ones in the first 3, the other 5 are visions that are used like clues. Having clues as to how they are going to die ruins the whole movie, it's taking the thrill right out of it.
If I were you, I wouldn't waist your time with this one. It would have been the best one yet if it wasn't for the visions that are clues.
The whole part of the Final Destination series, is the kids having visions and excaping death. In the first 3, the kids have 1 vision (at the beginning that gets them saved and starts the movie) that acts like they are going back in time... The start of the movie comes, all the deaths happen then you find out it's a vision. In THIS one, the kid has a total of 7 visions... 2 of them being like the ones in the first 3, the other 5 are visions that are used like clues. Having clues as to how they are going to die ruins the whole movie, it's taking the thrill right out of it.
If I were you, I wouldn't waist your time with this one. It would have been the best one yet if it wasn't for the visions that are clues.
for me,it sure is
disdressed1226 September 2009
but i doubt this will be the final installment.these things are so cheap to make,what with their no name actors.maybe i'm just getting old,but i found myself bored out of my skull with this thing.i guess maybe i'm just not all that entertained by people dying in gross,disgusting ways anymore.that and i just found it all too absurd.not too mention the story is old hat.at slightly less than ninety minutes,this thing is slightly less than ninety minutes too long,in my opinion.for the fourteen to mid twenty crowd,i guess this might hold some value,and yes,it would have for me,at that age,and even beyond.until recently in fact.it's only been maybe two years since i realized i wanted more form my movie experience.one thing's for sure,when the next installment comes around,that's one destination i won't be going on.for me,The Final Destination is a 3/10
Sucked!
thewhites2kn229 August 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I never, ever expected to give this film 3 out of 10, i'm a fan of the series and thought FD3 was pretty damn awesome - by far the best of the trilogy. So when i saw this movie was "THE" final destination (a pretty cocky title, but hey it may have lived up to it) and it was gonna be in 3D i had pretty high expectations.
My expectations were wrong. This movie SUCKED. If it wasn't part of the franchise it would have been a straight-to-DVD suckfest. Seriously i was WAITING for it to end. The accident at the car racing ring was just so - blah. I mean i know the whole series is far fetched and you have to have an imagination to believe it but this one was just so uninvolved. I mean getting on a plane, getting in a car and getting on a roller-coaster are things where you are putting your life at risk without thinking. Sitting in an audience? I mean come on, what's next "Final Destination 5 - i walked down a street and a building fell on me". By making the accident so un-scary what ensued just didn't really leave you involved. Nothing scared me here, i wasn't unnerved like i was with 1 through 3. Every time i get on a roller-coaster i get FD3 flashback, the only thing that will flashback to me from "THE" final destination will be the HORENDOUS performances.
Ah the performances. FD1 had Seann William Scott & Kerr Smith, FD2 has Ali Later & FD3 had the immensely talented Mary Elizabeth Winstead. This film had 1 guy who could act trying to carry the whole sorry mess and a whole lot of bitches who need to be slapped for even thinking they should move to Hollywood. I know it's a lot to compete with but rather than just ignoring this you'd think the producers / casting directors would really try and pull something out of the bag here. Apparently not. To give him his due Bobby Campo was charismatic and tried his best with the shoddy dialogue he had. If the rest of the cast had been as good as him then we would have no problems. Nick Zano was OK as the cocky guy but there are people who could have done that way, way better. The real problem? The support actresses here were AWFUL. I just wanted to scream THIS IS NOT A COLD READING. I'm pretty sure that there were a friggin ton of young talents who auditioned for this piece and THIS is what they cast? Even the "MILF" (yes, she was actually credited as that) sucked. How hard is it to be a MILF?. Shantel Von-whatever her name is (AKA, A poor mans Ashlee Simpson) and Haley Webb (god i wanna slap her SO hard) apparently call themselves actresses. Before they continue to do this may i suggest something to them, ACTING LESSONS. GET THEM. YOU SUCK! For the love of god EMOTE. They sounded like they were reading straight from the script and looked blank in every scene. Awful.
The deaths in FD4 were just too unrealistic. The special effects sucked - not even 3D could begin to save them. They looked like somebody got a little too excited with a computer and didn't really put any thought into making it look real. Making it look just a little bit real will scare people, making it look FUNNY is gonna annoy people.
This film was just so, disappointing. Unrealistic, uninvolving, uninspired JUNK.
The only thing i wanna say is, if there is gonna be an FD5, and i really hope there is considering 3/4 were awesome - then please, for the love of god bring back Glen Morgan & James Wong. Those guys know how to really scare people and the whole feel of the 1st & 3rd films is just so much better.
Oh, and find people who have mastered the art of acting. Its pretty vital.
My expectations were wrong. This movie SUCKED. If it wasn't part of the franchise it would have been a straight-to-DVD suckfest. Seriously i was WAITING for it to end. The accident at the car racing ring was just so - blah. I mean i know the whole series is far fetched and you have to have an imagination to believe it but this one was just so uninvolved. I mean getting on a plane, getting in a car and getting on a roller-coaster are things where you are putting your life at risk without thinking. Sitting in an audience? I mean come on, what's next "Final Destination 5 - i walked down a street and a building fell on me". By making the accident so un-scary what ensued just didn't really leave you involved. Nothing scared me here, i wasn't unnerved like i was with 1 through 3. Every time i get on a roller-coaster i get FD3 flashback, the only thing that will flashback to me from "THE" final destination will be the HORENDOUS performances.
Ah the performances. FD1 had Seann William Scott & Kerr Smith, FD2 has Ali Later & FD3 had the immensely talented Mary Elizabeth Winstead. This film had 1 guy who could act trying to carry the whole sorry mess and a whole lot of bitches who need to be slapped for even thinking they should move to Hollywood. I know it's a lot to compete with but rather than just ignoring this you'd think the producers / casting directors would really try and pull something out of the bag here. Apparently not. To give him his due Bobby Campo was charismatic and tried his best with the shoddy dialogue he had. If the rest of the cast had been as good as him then we would have no problems. Nick Zano was OK as the cocky guy but there are people who could have done that way, way better. The real problem? The support actresses here were AWFUL. I just wanted to scream THIS IS NOT A COLD READING. I'm pretty sure that there were a friggin ton of young talents who auditioned for this piece and THIS is what they cast? Even the "MILF" (yes, she was actually credited as that) sucked. How hard is it to be a MILF?. Shantel Von-whatever her name is (AKA, A poor mans Ashlee Simpson) and Haley Webb (god i wanna slap her SO hard) apparently call themselves actresses. Before they continue to do this may i suggest something to them, ACTING LESSONS. GET THEM. YOU SUCK! For the love of god EMOTE. They sounded like they were reading straight from the script and looked blank in every scene. Awful.
The deaths in FD4 were just too unrealistic. The special effects sucked - not even 3D could begin to save them. They looked like somebody got a little too excited with a computer and didn't really put any thought into making it look real. Making it look just a little bit real will scare people, making it look FUNNY is gonna annoy people.
This film was just so, disappointing. Unrealistic, uninvolving, uninspired JUNK.
The only thing i wanna say is, if there is gonna be an FD5, and i really hope there is considering 3/4 were awesome - then please, for the love of god bring back Glen Morgan & James Wong. Those guys know how to really scare people and the whole feel of the 1st & 3rd films is just so much better.
Oh, and find people who have mastered the art of acting. Its pretty vital.
As a movie, it's terrible. As a Final Destination movie, it is incredible.
juiceman107123 September 2009
This entry to the series takes a different approach. From the moment I saw the X-rayed-death-scene opening credit sequence with the hard rock cover of the creepy main theme of the series, I knew that the movie was not to be taken seriously, and a little help from the third dimension drove that idea home.
The Final Destination is a caricature of itself and the the entire series for that matter. This film was made with the knowledge that people still see these films for the ridiculously over the top and creative death scenes. Its like watching the trap go off in mouse trap; Its the only thing people came for.
There are about a dozen deaths in this entry as opposed to the regular 6-8 and the majority of them are fairly lengthy. Little attention is payed to the story or the characters but why bother? We've seen all this before? And I find that the hammy dialogue that the characters do manage to sputter out, only enhances the self-parody.
Fans of the series are either going to love it or think its OK and almost everyone else will hate it. SO If you've stuck it out through the other 3 films, check it out, and don't take it seriously.
The Final Destination is a caricature of itself and the the entire series for that matter. This film was made with the knowledge that people still see these films for the ridiculously over the top and creative death scenes. Its like watching the trap go off in mouse trap; Its the only thing people came for.
There are about a dozen deaths in this entry as opposed to the regular 6-8 and the majority of them are fairly lengthy. Little attention is payed to the story or the characters but why bother? We've seen all this before? And I find that the hammy dialogue that the characters do manage to sputter out, only enhances the self-parody.
Fans of the series are either going to love it or think its OK and almost everyone else will hate it. SO If you've stuck it out through the other 3 films, check it out, and don't take it seriously.
Good, campy Final Destination fun!
longcooljolie3 August 2011
The Final Destination series is another guilty cinematic pleasure, similar to the Saw series, the Hostel films and before that, the Friday 13 and "Nightmare" movies.
It has been two years since "The Final Destination" hit movie screens and it now plays fairly often on premium channels such as HBO or Encore. This movie and the series in general differs from other horror movies such as the Scream series in that the predator "Death" is unseen. All of the FD movies follow the same general premise: a group of teens escapes from death in a catastrophe only to have "death" follow them (you can't escape your destiny, right?).
Each successive movie offers new and spectacular ways for good-looking young people to die. TFD starts out at a NASCAR type race, which is a social comment: the underlying reason many people go to such races is for the possibility of a violent and spectacular crash. Yet a soulful young man has a premonition that there will be mayhem and guides his three friends and a small pack of hangers-on to safety.
The spectacular crash happens and "Death's" methodical predation of the survivors begins. To discuss the various ways people die would court spoilers but the writers of TFD put some wonderful humorous touches in what is a very taut and lean script (one of the complaints about the movie is that it is too short). A young mother has her two boys put tampons in their ears to protect their hearing from the loud stock car engines, for example. In another scene, a racist stalks the black security guard from the car race and during the mayhem that ensues, the War song "Why can't we be friends?" plays on the radio.
Some reviewers lament the lack of character development in TFD, but they're missing the point. Most of the characters are either caricatures (the racist, the angry redneck, the cowboy) or eye candy (the four core teenagers who try to thwart death). The most interesting main character is Hunt, the roguish, sexy blond young alpha male. A sequence at a pool involving Hunt is one of the most clever and ironic in the entire movie. Without giving too much away, let's say that Hunt's problems start when he tries to retrieve a treasured "lucky" coin.
TFD also contains a clever "movie within a movie" scene. The script also contains symbolism for coins, water, and America's love affair with the car. Admittedly these are nuances that the average moviegoer is likely to miss. At the same time, the movie has flaws, such as a contrived scene in a hospital and an annoying homeless character who pops up in a couple of scenes. Overall, the production team has succeeded in giving FD fans and new viewers a thrill ride of gory, guilty pleasure.
It has been two years since "The Final Destination" hit movie screens and it now plays fairly often on premium channels such as HBO or Encore. This movie and the series in general differs from other horror movies such as the Scream series in that the predator "Death" is unseen. All of the FD movies follow the same general premise: a group of teens escapes from death in a catastrophe only to have "death" follow them (you can't escape your destiny, right?).
Each successive movie offers new and spectacular ways for good-looking young people to die. TFD starts out at a NASCAR type race, which is a social comment: the underlying reason many people go to such races is for the possibility of a violent and spectacular crash. Yet a soulful young man has a premonition that there will be mayhem and guides his three friends and a small pack of hangers-on to safety.
The spectacular crash happens and "Death's" methodical predation of the survivors begins. To discuss the various ways people die would court spoilers but the writers of TFD put some wonderful humorous touches in what is a very taut and lean script (one of the complaints about the movie is that it is too short). A young mother has her two boys put tampons in their ears to protect their hearing from the loud stock car engines, for example. In another scene, a racist stalks the black security guard from the car race and during the mayhem that ensues, the War song "Why can't we be friends?" plays on the radio.
Some reviewers lament the lack of character development in TFD, but they're missing the point. Most of the characters are either caricatures (the racist, the angry redneck, the cowboy) or eye candy (the four core teenagers who try to thwart death). The most interesting main character is Hunt, the roguish, sexy blond young alpha male. A sequence at a pool involving Hunt is one of the most clever and ironic in the entire movie. Without giving too much away, let's say that Hunt's problems start when he tries to retrieve a treasured "lucky" coin.
TFD also contains a clever "movie within a movie" scene. The script also contains symbolism for coins, water, and America's love affair with the car. Admittedly these are nuances that the average moviegoer is likely to miss. At the same time, the movie has flaws, such as a contrived scene in a hospital and an annoying homeless character who pops up in a couple of scenes. Overall, the production team has succeeded in giving FD fans and new viewers a thrill ride of gory, guilty pleasure.
Complete Rubbish, saved by 3D
Nowsherwan_1428 August 2009
I went to this movie on the day it came out in London expecting to see something which was like the first 3, but maybe had a little change, maybe a twist from the original 3.. But i was left disappointed as it is the same as the previous 3 and is just obvious and you can just tell whats going to happen. When this situation develops, you are just going to the movie to see gruesome deaths which just send a tingle down your spine of utter disgust. This movie gets 4 stars because of the following 2 stars- 3D 2 stars- acting of Nick Zano (hunt) I don't recommend this film, but if you are a big fan of The Final Destination and are ready to see gruesome deaths based on the same concept in 3D then this movie is for you.
4/10
4/10
Doesn't go very far
TheLittleSongbird6 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
While it was not a great or perfect film (particularly in the dialogue, ending and some of the acting), the first 'Final Destination' was entertaining and effective (especially with its terrific opening plane sequence and the creative deaths) with a fascinating idea done well.
The bigger and bolder 'Final Destination 2' had its flaws but was just as good and perhaps the best of the four sequels. 'Final Destination 3' is just as big and bold, as well as gorier, and is also as good. The fourth instalment 'The Final Destination' is the worst of the series, and highly suggestive of the gimmick's novelty wearing off and running out of ideas. The second and third films were hardly original, but had scenes and deaths that were scary and fun and looked like they were made on a professional level.
Neither can be said for 'The Final Destination'. Only the suspenseful car wash scene and the pretty ingenious opening credits work. All the other scary scenes/deaths are cheaply rendered, anaemic in atmosphere and bring more unintentional humour than tension or suspense. The gratuitously stomach-churning gore content cheapens them further. The film looks cheap too, especially in the special effects which are laughably amateurish and the less than slick editing. David R. Ellis returns from the second film and what made his direction work there doesn't come through here.
It is hard to connect with the content when the characterisation, writing and acting are not up to par. With the sole exception of that for Mykelti Williamson, whose role is not big, none of the characters are developed well and are even more shallow, bland and annoying than in the previous three films. Apart from Williamson and Krista Allen, the acting is poor. Bobby Campo, lacking charisma, and Shantel VanSanten and Haley Webb forgetting to emote are the dishonourable mentions.
The previous 'Final Destination' films had some black or ironic humour and some tension, 'The Final Destination' has neither, which makes the dull down-time between the deaths, silliness and contrivances far less forgivable, on top of the lack of character development and scares. The film is also too short and too rushed in places, the opening scene did nothing for me and the ending is the most illogical and stupidest of the series.
Only saving graces are two decent performances (Williamson and Allen), two good scenes (the car wash and opening credits) and the eerie music score. The 3D is pretty good too if pointless.
Everything else however contributes towards a disappointing mess of a film. 3/10 Bethany Cox.
The bigger and bolder 'Final Destination 2' had its flaws but was just as good and perhaps the best of the four sequels. 'Final Destination 3' is just as big and bold, as well as gorier, and is also as good. The fourth instalment 'The Final Destination' is the worst of the series, and highly suggestive of the gimmick's novelty wearing off and running out of ideas. The second and third films were hardly original, but had scenes and deaths that were scary and fun and looked like they were made on a professional level.
Neither can be said for 'The Final Destination'. Only the suspenseful car wash scene and the pretty ingenious opening credits work. All the other scary scenes/deaths are cheaply rendered, anaemic in atmosphere and bring more unintentional humour than tension or suspense. The gratuitously stomach-churning gore content cheapens them further. The film looks cheap too, especially in the special effects which are laughably amateurish and the less than slick editing. David R. Ellis returns from the second film and what made his direction work there doesn't come through here.
It is hard to connect with the content when the characterisation, writing and acting are not up to par. With the sole exception of that for Mykelti Williamson, whose role is not big, none of the characters are developed well and are even more shallow, bland and annoying than in the previous three films. Apart from Williamson and Krista Allen, the acting is poor. Bobby Campo, lacking charisma, and Shantel VanSanten and Haley Webb forgetting to emote are the dishonourable mentions.
The previous 'Final Destination' films had some black or ironic humour and some tension, 'The Final Destination' has neither, which makes the dull down-time between the deaths, silliness and contrivances far less forgivable, on top of the lack of character development and scares. The film is also too short and too rushed in places, the opening scene did nothing for me and the ending is the most illogical and stupidest of the series.
Only saving graces are two decent performances (Williamson and Allen), two good scenes (the car wash and opening credits) and the eerie music score. The 3D is pretty good too if pointless.
Everything else however contributes towards a disappointing mess of a film. 3/10 Bethany Cox.
Bad acting/Stale Ideas/Not enough 3D
natedogg69727229 August 2009
First off 7.3? That has got to be a joke. This movie had nothing going for it besides the 3D effect, which was not used well in my opinion. The trailer for the scrooge movie used it better/more. Besides the fact the 3D was not used well, the acting was dreadful, even by horror movie standards(what happened to Bubba from Forrest Gump?) and the director did not take advantage of what he could have done with the 3D, it was like he read a book on directing and just did all the basic shots you are taught, when he could have got really creative with it.
Sure if your 14 maybe its tolerable, but if you have any knowledge of how real movies should be made, save yourself.I wish the my final destination would have hit me before I watched this useless trash.
Sure if your 14 maybe its tolerable, but if you have any knowledge of how real movies should be made, save yourself.I wish the my final destination would have hit me before I watched this useless trash.
Avoid this film if you can...
withSkimMilk6 September 2009
I went out with some friends tonight and everyone wanted to see this movie, and it had been a long time since I saw a horror movie, so I thought it might be fun.
I saw the original "Final Destination" when I was younger and thought it was an interesting idea, and that movie was pretty well done. This movie, however, follows the EXACT same formula, in every way shape and form. No new plot devices are used, making this movie feel exhausted and uninteresting.
All the characters are incredibly cliché for a teen horror flick. The nice, protagonist couple, the bitchy friend and her sex crazed boyfriend, etc. Not to mention the completely unnecessary sex scene in the middle of the movie, which only was shown to make sure male viewers remained moderately interested in this poor excuse for a movie, I imagine? The 'horror'. Ohhh, they loved gore, alright. Too bad that the gore came off as laughable instead of scary. I honestly can say that I was never once grossed out by the excessive amount of blood they showed, no matter how much they tried. Every 'death' that occurred in this movie was so incredibly far-fetched that it was extremely difficult to take seriously.
In conclusion, I do not recommend this movie. If you look at this as a comedy instead of horror, you may enjoy it more. You also might enjoy it more if you get drunk first. However, seeing it sober as I did will be very painful, you have been warned.
*****SPOILERS***** Also, while there are many goofs in this movie I'm sure, I would like to add that this film contains a HUGE plot hole towards the end that made me want to rip my hair out. Water would NOT extinguish a chemical fire, it would only make it worse. I believe that this was taught in... elementary school? wtf.
I saw the original "Final Destination" when I was younger and thought it was an interesting idea, and that movie was pretty well done. This movie, however, follows the EXACT same formula, in every way shape and form. No new plot devices are used, making this movie feel exhausted and uninteresting.
All the characters are incredibly cliché for a teen horror flick. The nice, protagonist couple, the bitchy friend and her sex crazed boyfriend, etc. Not to mention the completely unnecessary sex scene in the middle of the movie, which only was shown to make sure male viewers remained moderately interested in this poor excuse for a movie, I imagine? The 'horror'. Ohhh, they loved gore, alright. Too bad that the gore came off as laughable instead of scary. I honestly can say that I was never once grossed out by the excessive amount of blood they showed, no matter how much they tried. Every 'death' that occurred in this movie was so incredibly far-fetched that it was extremely difficult to take seriously.
In conclusion, I do not recommend this movie. If you look at this as a comedy instead of horror, you may enjoy it more. You also might enjoy it more if you get drunk first. However, seeing it sober as I did will be very painful, you have been warned.
*****SPOILERS***** Also, while there are many goofs in this movie I'm sure, I would like to add that this film contains a HUGE plot hole towards the end that made me want to rip my hair out. Water would NOT extinguish a chemical fire, it would only make it worse. I believe that this was taught in... elementary school? wtf.
Predictable and bland offering in the latest installment of an otherwise ingenious genre flick
george.schmidt8 September 2009
Warning: Spoilers
THE FINAL DESTINATION (2009) ** Bobby Campo, Shantel VanSanten, Nick Zano,, Haley Webb, Mykelti Williamson, Krista Allen, Andrew Fischella, Justin Welborn, Stephanie Honore, Lara Grice, Jackson Walker. Fourth and surprisingly predictable installment of the gory horror franchise, this time in 3-D (which admittedly are not that great) with another quartet of bland teens cheating death and attempting to change their fates from one Wile E. Coyote meets Rube Goldberg via The Grim Reaper set piece after the other. The visual effects are very cheesy and look like bad video game reject schematics as well as the current chapter for an otherwise ingenious genre offering. (Dir: David R. Ellis)
Believe what you see?
michaelRokeefe6 January 2010
Warning: Spoilers
This is the fourth in the franchise focusing on teenagers dodging death. A group of friends decide on going to the racetrack, of course wanting to see a horrific crash. Nick O'Bannon(Bobby Campo)foresees a devastating crash before it happens and does his best to warn his friends and those around him. After escaping the fiery crash and its consequences, the survivors feel fortunate to have cheated death; but have they. Nick keeps having premonitions of how the remaining unlucky ones will meet their deaths. Trying to change fate is not an easy task. Death is a sure thing.
Special effects consist of the innovating sequences leading up to the character's demise. Gory enough for an R rating. Others in the cast: Shantel VanSanten, Haley Webb, Nick Zano, Justin Welborn and Cecile Monteyne.
Special effects consist of the innovating sequences leading up to the character's demise. Gory enough for an R rating. Others in the cast: Shantel VanSanten, Haley Webb, Nick Zano, Justin Welborn and Cecile Monteyne.
Final destination 4 (2009)
distasy10 February 2021
Step on your feet, ends a streak that couldn't be beat
StevePulaski10 August 2011
"There is always some sort of wart that branches off of a film franchise, and I want Final Destination to remain wart-less." - My review of Final Destination 3.
I said it, and now I feel like I had my own premonition. "The" Final Destination is the wart branching off of the series. I put quotations around "the" to show it is wrongfully stating it's the end. "The" has become such a universal word in movie sequels. Some films, like Fast & Furious chose to remove it and cause confusion to some people. In ten years, give or take, it will be easy to confuse The Final Destination, with the original (Final Destination). The DVD cover for this film is traditional, and doesn't indicate any sign of this being the forth film. Why not just Final Destination 4? But I will say the 3D was used to perfection in this film. Coming from a person who finds 3D to be the new, and disappointing, feature in film, The Final Destination utilizes it with full force. It's honestly, one of the best looking films with it equipped. There are shots of things actually flying into the audience that made several flinch. This is the rare, and by rare I mean first, case I would've recommended seeing it in 3D if I wrote my review sooner.
It also looks like James Wong and David R. Ellis are doing the ping-pong directing treatment to this franchise as well. Wong got one and three, and Ellis got two and four. It seems whenever Wong takes over, he provides a darker tonality to these films, while Ellis provides a shed of light, and what looked to be backstory from the second film. Unfortunately, the backstory here is slim, and near nonexistent.
The story is the same. Only this time at a Nascar race. A young boy, who this time we barely know anything about, named Nick (Campo) has a premonition of a deadly crash at the race leaving him and his friends dead. He awakens, warns the crowd of people behind him, him, his friends, and some other strangers evacuate and they are left to die in the order they would've if they stayed in the race-track.
One severe problem with this film is we don't know enough about the characters to care. We get backstory seconds before they meet their fate, which defeats the purpose of even giving it. We know the one guy is a racist, and the security guard is black. I'm not encouraging racism in any way, shape, or form, but I think the only reason they wanted the southern character to be racist is so they could squeeze some inner-hatred towards one of the members (there is a reason besides the racism, but I won't spoil it), and to make use of the dreaded n-word. That's it. Both characters are gone in the blink of an eye. Not like they had any significance anyway.
Final Destination has always been about dark themes and supernatural events occurring. This is a no comedy zone, but comedy feels the need to join us. Why? Because everyone knows that comedy exists in horror films because the characters, and the screenwriter, think they are being clever when they're really ruining what has potential to be a straight-forward creepy film. The humor in this film takes an outrageous increase in this film for whatever reason, and it sucks. I could "woulda, coulda, shoulda" this all I want, but it shoulda been straight-horror, minimal comedy like the rest of the series.
All the other films started off with our characters, mainly our survivors, exchanging some typical buddy to buddy dialog, and a father-daughter talk in the second film. This, we are two minutes in and they enter the track, just like that. Give me a reason to care or form a relationship with these characters when the movie doesn't even bother.
I'll also say the ending gives the idea that the producers ran out of money, and opened up a cheap art program to complete it. It's terrible. I did like the effects on the opening intro paying homage to past deaths in the first three installments. To use it as the end is a sign of laziness and complete and utter disgust and carelessness of the audience.
The Final Destination has one or two okay death scenes, but they are loaded with CGI so they could utilize 3D. In the theater with my glasses, I didn't notice all that much. Seeing it on DVD and on TV in 2D, it's insanely noticeable and uncanningly fake. In a way I'm glad this isn't "The Final" Destination. To end on this would be like ending a walk-a-thon with someone stepping on your foot. You came all this way, to get stepped on.
Starring: Bobby Campo, Shantel VanSanten, Nick Zano, and Mykelti Williamson. Directed by: David R. Ellis.
I said it, and now I feel like I had my own premonition. "The" Final Destination is the wart branching off of the series. I put quotations around "the" to show it is wrongfully stating it's the end. "The" has become such a universal word in movie sequels. Some films, like Fast & Furious chose to remove it and cause confusion to some people. In ten years, give or take, it will be easy to confuse The Final Destination, with the original (Final Destination). The DVD cover for this film is traditional, and doesn't indicate any sign of this being the forth film. Why not just Final Destination 4? But I will say the 3D was used to perfection in this film. Coming from a person who finds 3D to be the new, and disappointing, feature in film, The Final Destination utilizes it with full force. It's honestly, one of the best looking films with it equipped. There are shots of things actually flying into the audience that made several flinch. This is the rare, and by rare I mean first, case I would've recommended seeing it in 3D if I wrote my review sooner.
It also looks like James Wong and David R. Ellis are doing the ping-pong directing treatment to this franchise as well. Wong got one and three, and Ellis got two and four. It seems whenever Wong takes over, he provides a darker tonality to these films, while Ellis provides a shed of light, and what looked to be backstory from the second film. Unfortunately, the backstory here is slim, and near nonexistent.
The story is the same. Only this time at a Nascar race. A young boy, who this time we barely know anything about, named Nick (Campo) has a premonition of a deadly crash at the race leaving him and his friends dead. He awakens, warns the crowd of people behind him, him, his friends, and some other strangers evacuate and they are left to die in the order they would've if they stayed in the race-track.
One severe problem with this film is we don't know enough about the characters to care. We get backstory seconds before they meet their fate, which defeats the purpose of even giving it. We know the one guy is a racist, and the security guard is black. I'm not encouraging racism in any way, shape, or form, but I think the only reason they wanted the southern character to be racist is so they could squeeze some inner-hatred towards one of the members (there is a reason besides the racism, but I won't spoil it), and to make use of the dreaded n-word. That's it. Both characters are gone in the blink of an eye. Not like they had any significance anyway.
Final Destination has always been about dark themes and supernatural events occurring. This is a no comedy zone, but comedy feels the need to join us. Why? Because everyone knows that comedy exists in horror films because the characters, and the screenwriter, think they are being clever when they're really ruining what has potential to be a straight-forward creepy film. The humor in this film takes an outrageous increase in this film for whatever reason, and it sucks. I could "woulda, coulda, shoulda" this all I want, but it shoulda been straight-horror, minimal comedy like the rest of the series.
All the other films started off with our characters, mainly our survivors, exchanging some typical buddy to buddy dialog, and a father-daughter talk in the second film. This, we are two minutes in and they enter the track, just like that. Give me a reason to care or form a relationship with these characters when the movie doesn't even bother.
I'll also say the ending gives the idea that the producers ran out of money, and opened up a cheap art program to complete it. It's terrible. I did like the effects on the opening intro paying homage to past deaths in the first three installments. To use it as the end is a sign of laziness and complete and utter disgust and carelessness of the audience.
The Final Destination has one or two okay death scenes, but they are loaded with CGI so they could utilize 3D. In the theater with my glasses, I didn't notice all that much. Seeing it on DVD and on TV in 2D, it's insanely noticeable and uncanningly fake. In a way I'm glad this isn't "The Final" Destination. To end on this would be like ending a walk-a-thon with someone stepping on your foot. You came all this way, to get stepped on.
Starring: Bobby Campo, Shantel VanSanten, Nick Zano, and Mykelti Williamson. Directed by: David R. Ellis.
Definitely has its moments and great effects
UniqueParticle10 September 2020
The least of the better ones yet I sill really like The Final Destination for what it is. Some cheesy bits for sure but entertaining and stylish! Not much to say with this movie it's a bit disturbing not as much as the others plus the acting is sloppy. The best things is the 3D trickery effects, colors, and deaths.
Farcical Formula
JohnDeSando28 August 2009
"For fate has wove the thread of life with pain, And twins ev'n from the birth are misery and man!" Pope, Homer's Odyssey
Many young beauties die in Final Destination, but apparently this franchise itself may not have breathed its last. Or not. At any rate, this iteration continues the fantastic adherence to its horror genre requirements including gore, sex, air-headedness, and inevitability.
In this cycle, young Nick O'Bannon (Bobby Campo), foreseeing a catastrophe at the race track, saves many lives by getting them to leave the track before the mayhem. But something like the inevitability of death stalks those such as Nick who beat the grim one.
Nick is determined to stop the chain of deaths and therefore stop the deathwatch for himself, his three friends, and others attending the race but escaping. The usual visual tricks pervade as impalements and beheadings occur by seeming chance. The randomness of the universe juxtaposed with the determinism of Death gives the film a bit of an edge on the usual horror-thriller.
Director David R. Ellis carefully shows the chain of random events such as a spilled can of gasoline or a nail gun on the loose that leads to human deaths. He does not ascribe the cause and effect as the workings of Death (the characters do that); rather he shows the chain of events from a casual accident that carries out a mandate from implacable forces.
Unless you spin the theme into some cosmic debate as I have attempted here, you are left with a mediocre horror flick probably no better or worse than the new Halloween II or countless other macabre entries.
I guess I'm fated to review this farcical formula until Death has decided I've suffered enough.
"The fool of fate,—thy manufacture, man." Pope
Many young beauties die in Final Destination, but apparently this franchise itself may not have breathed its last. Or not. At any rate, this iteration continues the fantastic adherence to its horror genre requirements including gore, sex, air-headedness, and inevitability.
In this cycle, young Nick O'Bannon (Bobby Campo), foreseeing a catastrophe at the race track, saves many lives by getting them to leave the track before the mayhem. But something like the inevitability of death stalks those such as Nick who beat the grim one.
Nick is determined to stop the chain of deaths and therefore stop the deathwatch for himself, his three friends, and others attending the race but escaping. The usual visual tricks pervade as impalements and beheadings occur by seeming chance. The randomness of the universe juxtaposed with the determinism of Death gives the film a bit of an edge on the usual horror-thriller.
Director David R. Ellis carefully shows the chain of random events such as a spilled can of gasoline or a nail gun on the loose that leads to human deaths. He does not ascribe the cause and effect as the workings of Death (the characters do that); rather he shows the chain of events from a casual accident that carries out a mandate from implacable forces.
Unless you spin the theme into some cosmic debate as I have attempted here, you are left with a mediocre horror flick probably no better or worse than the new Halloween II or countless other macabre entries.
I guess I'm fated to review this farcical formula until Death has decided I've suffered enough.
"The fool of fate,—thy manufacture, man." Pope
Dark humor in glorious 3D
OtherBrotherDarryl28 August 2009
The previews for this, along with my way too high expectations, kind of ruined it for me. I simply knew too much thanks to hanging out on the IMDb message boards, but the previews are also much to blame for it, as they gave away far too much, virtually eliminating the "surprise" factor.
I love FD2. It's one of my favorite movies (and I don't generally like Horror). This time, director David R. Ellis did a weird kind of copy-paste maneuver that I'm just not sure worked as well as it could have--unless, perhaps, you haven't seen his FD2. This isn't the exact same movie, but I knew the routine too well this time for it to have the kind of suspenseful impact on me that FD2 did. And the opening disaster sequence, although superior to that of FD3, just didn't blow me away like the freeway pileup in FD2 did.
The 3D is worth it, though. This kind of movie just lends itself to having crazy stuff pop out at the screen, and I can't say that the gore and 3D "wow" factor weren't pretty cool.
If you're familiar with the first three, you'll probably notice LOTS of references/homages to the previous films. Unlike 1 and 3, this film aims to be funny, and it does pay off in that regard. It has probably the single funniest scene of all four--a scene that pays direct homage to 2, by the way. But like my mom always said, Deja Vu is just God's way of
I love FD2. It's one of my favorite movies (and I don't generally like Horror). This time, director David R. Ellis did a weird kind of copy-paste maneuver that I'm just not sure worked as well as it could have--unless, perhaps, you haven't seen his FD2. This isn't the exact same movie, but I knew the routine too well this time for it to have the kind of suspenseful impact on me that FD2 did. And the opening disaster sequence, although superior to that of FD3, just didn't blow me away like the freeway pileup in FD2 did.
The 3D is worth it, though. This kind of movie just lends itself to having crazy stuff pop out at the screen, and I can't say that the gore and 3D "wow" factor weren't pretty cool.
If you're familiar with the first three, you'll probably notice LOTS of references/homages to the previous films. Unlike 1 and 3, this film aims to be funny, and it does pay off in that regard. It has probably the single funniest scene of all four--a scene that pays direct homage to 2, by the way. But like my mom always said, Deja Vu is just God's way of
More illogical and silly than the rest of the franchise
Screen_Blitz20 April 2016
Throughout the franchise, James Wong and David R. Ellis appear to have done a back- and-forth rotation with directing the series, with James Wong taking the director's chair for 'Final Destination' and 'Final Destination 3' while David R. Ellis takes over for 'Final Destination 2' and this one. The franchise seems to stay right on track with James Wong working behind the camera but not much so with David R. Ellis directing. As Ellis returns to the director's chair for the fourth installment, what results is what is possibly the worst entry of the this average franchise. This film opens up with twenty-something year old Nick (played by Bobby Campo), his girlfriend Lori (played by Shantel Vansanten), and their two friends Hunt (played by Nick Zano) and Janet (played by Haley Webb) spending their day watching the drag races at the McKinley Speedway. Out of nowhere, Nick has terrifying premonition of a car crash causing a rapid chain of disasters that kills everyone in the audience including him and his friends. Nick panics and drags his friends along with several other spectators out of the bleachers momentarily before the horrifying disaster he visioned unfolds and the remaining spectators are killed. Months go by, everyone tries to move on their lives, but Nick learns that the survivors are not safe as well as Death comes back to haunt them and claim their lives one by one as it originally intended when they escaped the disaster on the speedway.
The Final Destination series introduced a unique idea for the horror genre. Sadly, original ideas eventually wear out in the long run, and this film clearly shows it. With the previous films carrying a dark atmosphere, this one takes on a more comedic tone that results in humor making up the majority of the writing and characters while carrying on the same gimmicks from the previous entries. Yes, the film follows the same formula as what we experienced throughout the franchise, only here it gets more silly than something to be taken seriously. The characters are once again limited down to one-dimensional stereotypes but with less distinguishable personalities, and in the end you never come care for any of them. The performances the actors give aren't bad, but they don't help how wooden the characters are. The worse aspect comes to the death sequences which are much bloody and gorier than the ones from the previous films but less authentic and logical. The film takes the liberty of using CGI blood and gore that results in some of the deaths being more laughable than effective. The computer-generated blood splatter may fit well with 3-D (this is the first movie in the series to include 3-D), but overall it's just looks unrealistic. The only fun this movie brings the table is small plethora of thrills and some gory deaths to please those yearning for gruesome thrills than actual suspense. All in all, this film has little to offer than gruesome shock value.
The Final Destination is probably the least entertaining entry of the franchise, and probably the least favorite as well. This movie may some redeeming quality but most of it is buried under its bad script and tiresome formula. For a fan of the series, this one is worth the try but the replay value leads little to be desired.
The Final Destination series introduced a unique idea for the horror genre. Sadly, original ideas eventually wear out in the long run, and this film clearly shows it. With the previous films carrying a dark atmosphere, this one takes on a more comedic tone that results in humor making up the majority of the writing and characters while carrying on the same gimmicks from the previous entries. Yes, the film follows the same formula as what we experienced throughout the franchise, only here it gets more silly than something to be taken seriously. The characters are once again limited down to one-dimensional stereotypes but with less distinguishable personalities, and in the end you never come care for any of them. The performances the actors give aren't bad, but they don't help how wooden the characters are. The worse aspect comes to the death sequences which are much bloody and gorier than the ones from the previous films but less authentic and logical. The film takes the liberty of using CGI blood and gore that results in some of the deaths being more laughable than effective. The computer-generated blood splatter may fit well with 3-D (this is the first movie in the series to include 3-D), but overall it's just looks unrealistic. The only fun this movie brings the table is small plethora of thrills and some gory deaths to please those yearning for gruesome thrills than actual suspense. All in all, this film has little to offer than gruesome shock value.
The Final Destination is probably the least entertaining entry of the franchise, and probably the least favorite as well. This movie may some redeeming quality but most of it is buried under its bad script and tiresome formula. For a fan of the series, this one is worth the try but the replay value leads little to be desired.
An embarrassment as far as i'm concerned..
callanvass24 May 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I actually rather liked the third sequel, it was quite a bit of fun, this sequel is silly and has a lot of cheesy 3-D effects to try to revive the series so to speak. Yet again, the main lead has an epiphany about future events at a race track and we have a few survivors who are on death's list. Let's start off with the amateurish acting, and they obvious so little effort that was put forth here in this sequel. It has plenty of gore, plenty of creative sequences to set up the death sequences, but it's missing the most important element that this series has, characters that I give a damn about. I didn't care about any one of these people, and I had to go through 90 or so minutes of pure boredom when all was said and done. The most intriguing storyline for me was the security guard's character, but they didn't explore that enough for my liking, and instead focused on the two bland and wooden leads.
Performances. Bobby Campo is a terrible lead and has no talent as far as I'm concerned. I didn't give a damn about what happened to him. Shantel VanSanten looks cute, but she's no heroine that's for sure and her chemistry with Campo didn't feel genuine too me. Mykelti Williamson was the most intriguing character for me, but they didn't focus on him enough for my liking.
Bottom line. They said it was The FINAL Destination, but a 5th one is in production, how quickly things change?.
3/10
Performances. Bobby Campo is a terrible lead and has no talent as far as I'm concerned. I didn't give a damn about what happened to him. Shantel VanSanten looks cute, but she's no heroine that's for sure and her chemistry with Campo didn't feel genuine too me. Mykelti Williamson was the most intriguing character for me, but they didn't focus on him enough for my liking.
Bottom line. They said it was The FINAL Destination, but a 5th one is in production, how quickly things change?.
3/10
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