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.