Director: Steven Quale
Writer: Eric Heisserer & Jeffrey Reddick
Cast:
Nicholas D’Agosto … Sam
Emma Bell … Molly Harper
Miles Fisher … Peter Friedkin
Ellen Wroe … Candice Hooper
Jacqueline MacInnes Wood … Olivia Castle
P.J. Byrne … Isaac Palmer
Arlen Escarpeta … Nathan
David Koechner … Dennis
Courtney B. Vance … Agent Jim Block
Tony Todd … William Bludworth
Brent Stait … Roy
Roman Podhora … John
Jasmin Dring … Cho
Barclay Hope … Dr. Leonetti
Chasty Ballesteros … Spa Receptionist
Plot: Survivors of a suspension-bridge collapse learn there’s no way you can cheat Death.
Review: First of all, we can reveal that Final Destination 5 IS the Final Destination instalment in the series which has brought “Death Experiences” to the forefront of many people’s lives, especially where the sunbeds, plane journeys and motorway examples are concerned.
Leaving the very best until last, the instalment brings you face-to-face with the horrific tragedies that result in cheating death – and as William Bludworth points out “Nobody escapes death – because Death has a design which is not only flawless, but is imprinted on a greater design.
Starting the last instalment off with the introduction of the character’s, Sam, Molly, Peter, Candice, Olivia, Isaac, Nathan, Dennis, Roy, Jon and Cho, it is worth knowing that only eight out of the total number of passengers on the bus survive the awesome and yet terrifying consequences of Chaos and Fate; the coined phrase ‘Being in the wrong place at the wrong time’ comes to mind. All the same, the lead character – as in all the past films – has a vision before the calamity and in their wisdom pre-warns everyone on the bus. And, like previous instalments there are those that listen, while there are also those (probably amateur actor’s looking for a big break) who don’t want to listen to the crazy ranting’s of those who didn’t want to go on the “Retreat Trip” in the first place.
As soon as the bus pulls up onto the suspension bridge, it is at this point the film really starts to tickle those senses which bring us fear, terror and a sudden ability for our bladders to work by themselves. The special effects alone bring us up close and personal to the real gore horror of some ways in which we could die during such a disaster; impalements, scolding’s, crushing’s, slices and dicing’s, it is Final Destination that seems to have the angle on the varied differences. As well as the great onslaught of horrifying carnage of the suspension bridge, there is, of course, the matter of the eight survivors who must now dodge the lurking pit-falls of death and somehow escape their demise completely.
Personally speaking, the weak and similar attributes brought to us in Final Destination 3, has certainly been tweaked and better tweaked in the final episode. The characters are strong in their acting, the plot is smooth as well as well balanced and the ‘Love to Hate’ combo’s in some of the characters who are arrogant to the fact that death is following them is eventually paid in full by the great death scenes that they endure – Dennis and Isaac in particular.
For those who have been following the franchise, which has had one hell of a great run, Final Destination 5 will certainly not disappoint in the areas that truly matter. As for anyone who has never seen an episode (Yes, any more than two movies constitutes an episode run of films), then this finale will definitely have them reaching for the others, too. Laden with awesome visual effects that will perturb, scare and terrify even the hardest amongst us, the final twist will have everyone gasping in awe and raising the roof with sighs of respectable applause that now the storylines and hard work have come to an end.
DVD Archive Rating: 9/10
Additional Information:
Rated: 15
Genres: Horror/Thriller
Official Website: FINAL DESTINATION 5 (Official Website With Trailer)
Budget: $40,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend: $18,031,396 (USA) (14 August 2011) (3155 Screens)
Gross: $42,575,718 (USA) (9 October 2011)
Runtime: 92 minutes (1 hour 32 minutes)
Filming Locations: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
© Marcus De Storm 2011/DVD Archive 2011
FINAL DESTINATION (Official Trailer)

