Final Destination 5 Review

August 12, 2011 by Vinnie Leduc

After 2009’s The Final Destination explored and was shot in 3D, Final Destination 5 signals the first major franchise to offer its audiences the trendy medium twice. We have yet to see if this landmark forebodes the future crash of cinematic 3D as the market continues to become shamelessly saturated with it or if it attests to moviegoers gladly swallowing whatever the studios cram down our throats (I mean, the freakin’ Smurfs are laughing all the way to the bank). We’ll know whether 3D is in death’s plan sooner or later, but for now movie whores like you and I can chew on, and probably savor a bit of, the latest addition to the gory horror series.

With an epic premonition scene that takes the introductory disaster back to the level of the first two movies’, Final Destination 5 is a decent attempt to return to its roots. And as in the first two films, Candyman makes an appearance to offer some ominous advice and also of course to creep out the main cast, accident survivors trying to escape the inevitable grasp of doom. However, this time he straight up introduces a new rule into the mix, which has some results that help lift this film a step above its two predecessors.

Unfortunately, Final Destination 5 doesn’t succeed in fully getting there because it’s held back by mostly poor grabs at genres outside of its own, especially comedy and drama. The elaborate death scenes (by the way, as tense waiting and guessing games, they’re great additions to the franchise’s collection) are already kinda unintentionally funny, so when the movie goes for intentional comedy, it usually fails. This is clearly the case early in the film when its character introductions are cringingly lame, but that part had to follow the best 3D opening sequence since the third Jackass movie.

The rest of the movie is pretty much like the latest sequels. Bad acting. Bad-ass deaths. Basically what the trailer promised, except no Captain EO moments (gotta check out Captain America or the new Harold & Kumar trailer for anything close to that). Just don’t leave early, or you’ll miss out on a cool ending and a nice treat for Final Destination fans, who should enjoy this rewarding installment. I’m one myself, and I can’t wait for Final Destination 6 and 7. Final Destination 5 gets 2.5 out of 5 stars or C+ or Okay.