One extremely popular archetype found in horror stories is the unstoppable creature. Undead things like Michael Myers of Freddie Kruger manage to survive every conceivable plan to put an end to their reign of terror. Not only does this motif apply to the denizen of horror flicks this technique is applicable to the films themselves. All genres are subject to the phenomenon known as the sequel but it appears too much more prevalent, or perhaps noticeable in the case of horror movies. It is not uncommon for a story to be extended over as many as seven or eight films even some that draw close to ten movies as the movies continue on. Much like the creatures we all like to watch the film franchise itself becomes an entity that cannot be killed. Just we you think it is over the studios come up with another sequel, prequel of the device that is increasing in popularity, the reboot and reimagining. It may start off naturally enough as a trilogy but since these films have a tendency to possess an acceptable return on the budget the extensions into the franchise are approved as a matter of being fiscally prudent.

In the case under consideration here, ‘Final Destination’ we are currently well past the trilogy stage and moved on to the official realm of the horror franchise. The first three movies were tied together tenuously but with an acceptable degree of naturalism. The connective tissue was increasingly vague references to a doomed flight to Paris that kicked off the action of the initial film. Next there was the fourth installment titled ‘The Final Destination’ enhanced the supernatural elements with specific premonitions of the deaths visited upon the other characters expanding the central premise from the standard vision of the event that initiates the action. As is frequently the case in horror franchises the critical reception declined rather sharply with each subsequent offering but the movies were reasonably cost efficient to produce and the horror fan base sufficiently loyal to ensure a positive cash flow into the coffers of the studio. The fact of life remains critics tend to receive screeners for free not contributing to the bottom line. With a popular horror series like this the diehard fans, no pun intended, are not likely to be deterred by negative reviews. In some instances they can actually elevate the camp factor associated with the film. Now the fifth offering of the franchise is upon us and it strives to merge the reboot and prequel to arrive at ‘Final Destination 5’.

In most prolonged series of horror flicks one of the most important elements is the establishment of a rule set that must be strictly enforced. In this case the rules not only provide the continuity between films but it is the very basis of the story on the most fundamental level. The premise driving all five films is effective in its simplicity; death cannot be cheated. If your name is on death’s list and you manage to avoid his sickle he will find you and finish the job. What most people find to be the core of their enjoyment are the extremes that death will go to reach his quota. The one spark of imagination demonstrated by the writers is devising and endless stream of overly complicated methods to dispatch teenagers. It would appear the Death was a big fan of Rube Goldberg in how he dispatches the lamentable victim. In the first films the demise of the characters would come through a slip in the tub or sliced to death in the kitchen but even with some flamboyant enhancements the deaths were relatively straight forward compared to what ingenious methods are employed here. Death is not delivered in a straightforward fashion but instead is the last domino falling in an elaborate cascade of events. Such circumstances defy the laws of probability pushing coincidence well past its breaking point but that is watch is responsible for the longevity of the franchise. Although the deaths frequently involve a considerable amount of bloodshed they thankfully make a concerted effort to avoid the maximization of suffering that embodies the other currently popular variation of horror films aptly dubbed torture porn. Ironically, the latest installment of a franchise in this vein, ‘Hostel’ is releasing its third outing the same DVD release date as this film. While fans of modern horror are still not availing themselves of the finesse demonstrated by classic horror at least this offers a scrap of choice.

Another requirement for the ‘Final Destination’ flicks is some event or circumstance that establishes the subset of annoying characters destined to die. In previous incarnations this has ranged from a traffic accident to a deadly mishap in an amusement park. The concept is quite solid from a story telling perspective offering a common thread that gives the audience the illusion of common sense. Here it is a group of co-workers going off to a company sponsored retreat. The tie in to the rest of the series and what sets this up as the predecessor to the rest lies in the character of Sam Lawton (Nicholas D'Agosto) who dreams of a position in Paris. Fans will catch on right away as to how this will pan out but the connection is sufficiently tenuous to give a little distance to the audience. Death’s list is rounded off by the usual call to central casting including best friend Peter Freidkin (Miles Fisher); Peter's girlfriend Candice Hooper (Ellen Wroe); and office assistant Olivia Castle (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood). To provide some balance to the sexy Olivia is the girl next door girlfriend of Sam Molly Harper (Emma Bell). Thanks to the primary premonition Sam manages to get Molly and a few others off the transport bus moments before the deadly crash that should have been immediately fatal to everyone. When a horror film director needs a creepy character for exposition one of the best choices is Tony Todd. Here he plays the county with a strong case possible that he is the manifestation of Death. He summarizes the idea that Sam‘s action to save his friends disrupted the natural flow of Destiny and Death is out to correct the situation. the end result comes off much better than most franchises at this point.

Alternate Death Scenes
Visual Effects Of Death: Collapsing Bridge & Airplane Crash
Final Destination 5: Circle Of Death, Your Final Destination
BD Live Enabled
Digital Copy Of Feature Film