Movie Review: "Final Destination 5"

Despite the lengthy rant that was my previous entry, (though it was partially serious it was mostly for comedic purposes), I really managed to enjoy "FD5." As I mentioned before, I went into it with what I consider to be the proper, maybe even the only appropriate mindset for this franchise: I was in it for the gruesome death sequences. Didn't really expect a complex plot or well developed characters, and didn't get them either. However, the movie totally delivered on the gore and the squirm factor, and it worked really well with the 3D! The opening credit sequence alone was awesome, referenced all four movies before it, and was a cleverly badass, 3D treat.

If I had to put the FD movies in order as far as how much I like them, the first one is still the best. Past that, I think part 2 has the most intense and difficult to watch opening sequence and going forward after that, they pretty much all mesh together into one big bloody lump. A repetitive formula and characters you don't really care about. But fans of mindless horror might just enjoy themselves, and I sure did!

Part 5 is actually pretty good, and makes up for the mess that was part 4. True, a few of the deaths in 4 were cool but aside from that I can't even remember much about it and I haven't bothered to watch again it since the initial viewing in the theater. But you can tell that the filmmakers actually put some effort into this one and wanted to make it a bit more interesting. True, it has one-dimensional characters and sub par actors. (Aside from David Koechner, who's always good, and takes his usual over-the-top performance down several notches in this role. And there's one kid who looks exactly like a young Tom Cruise, which is a bit distracting but that's not his fault.) And of course it begins with the classic "Final Destination" death-o-rama massacre. IS it finally explained why one specific young person always mysteriously has a premonition and saves a small group of his or her peers? DO you really want to know? Personally I did, but I didn't expect some grandiose explanation. (Spoiler alert: One was never offered.)

I won't ruin the deaths for you, but I will say that several of them are pretty awesome. The 3D was used well and I think it was worth it for the enhancement of the camp factor. The actual bridge scene itself was only mildly horrific in my opinion, but certainly with its share of suspense as, unlike with previous films, this group actually had the opportunity to TRY to get away from the disaster as it was happening. A couple of the death scenes throughout the rest of the movie made every single muscle in my body tense up in a massive cringe of utter disgust, which was precisely what I came to the theater for that evening!

Another thing I liked was that they added a brand new element to the whole "Death's formula" thing, which was if you killed someone in your place, you didn't have to die and you cheated the system. This led to conflict within the group that added an additional level of danger to the situation. And, a bit of slasher flick flavor to the movie as well!

Part 5 ties the whole series together nicely and brings everything full circle. Anyone who appreciates these movies for what they are will definitely enjoy it! Four out of Five Pints of Blood for this one.