Review of Final Destination 5 (2011) by Garrett R — 09 Mar 2012

FINAL DESTINATION 5 is undoubtedly a more well-rounded entry in New Line Cinema's modern horror franchise than the past two entries (FD 3 and THE FINAL DESTINATION), as it ranks up towards FINAL DESTINATION 2 in terms of cinematic terror and unexpected twists...not to mention outlandishly gruesome deaths wrought about by Death himself. Boosted in due part by AVATAR Second Unit Director Steven Quale behind the camera and a taut script in hand, FD 5 brings the stale franchise right back to life (admidst all the death onscreen).

The scope and focus of FINAL DESTINATION 5 is much broader and even bigger than the last installment. The focus on the characters, and not only on the anticipation towards the elaborately crafted death scenes, is broader than the franchise's past films in the way that the characters are more down-to-earth and realistic than any of the past FD films. These two characteristics makes them more believable, and allows the audience to organically connect with them...up until their violent deaths, of course. There are virtually no stereotypes to be found in this film (except for David Koechner's goofball/ornery boss character).

The character's names don't matter in a horror franchise such as this one. What matters in a FINAL DESTINATION film and what makes them all memorable (except the last one) are the elaborately crafted, outlandishly gruesome death scenes that are proliferated throughout Quale's film. From the onset bridge collapse sequence to the near-constant death scenes after the obligatory funeral scene and required fade-out, things get nasty and viciously fun real quick.

FINAL DESTINATION 5 is required viewing for franchise fans and a back-to-basics horror story. Horror fans rejoice, for FINAL DESTINATION 5 rejuvenates this dying franchise right back to its gutsy life (pun definitely intended).