film review: final destination 5

Final Destination 5 starts off with an impressive opening sequence which utilises 3D effects, as a suspension bridge collapses killing multiple people in horrendous ways. Anyone who’s familiar with the formula will know however, that was the protagonist’s premonition of the tragic events that are soon to come. As a result of Sam’s vision (Nicholas D’Agosto), he manages to save his friends. That is until ‘death’ intervenes. This is of course the key message of the series – you just can’t cheat death.

For horror fans out there, take note of the names of some of the characters – Peter Friedkin is named after William Friedkin, director of The Exorcist, Candice Hooper is named after The Texas Chain Saw Massacre director Tobe Hooper, and Olivia Castle is named after William Castle, director of the original House on Haunted Hill.

The Final Destination series is renowned for its inventive death sequences and the fifth instalment is no exception. A gymnast has a particularly notable ending, and the film might steer some viewers away from laser eye surgery and acupuncture treatments. Impaled and decapitated bodies are also a given in these films. By now viewers should have to come to terms with the that fact there is no story or character development whatsoever. The only sub plot revolves around Sam’s relationship with Molly (Emma Bell) which becomes jeopardised when he’s offered a chef’s apprenticeship in Paris. The film is about pure aesthetic shock, but it does manage to make a clever tie in with the original film in the end.

While this is not on par with the first two, it definitely surpasses the underwhelming forth film. Watch this at the cinema to enjoy the atmosphere as audiences are bound to be laughing and gasping simultaneously throughout. There’s also a closing montage of death scenes, which tops off the ending of this 3D horror flick.