Final Destination 5: Review By B. Alan Orange

What can be said about the Final Destination franchise this far into its run? We're at film number 5, and you know the basic facts. There will be an epic opening prologue that contains multiple deaths, and then everyone in the cast is going to die horrifically, no matter what. That's not a spoiler, and if you want to get down to the nitty-gritty, there is no rebooting this franchise. All four of the sequels have just been a remake of that original outing. Here, with number 5, they stick to the core elements that make this particular horror series so much fun, while throwing in a few great twists that mature and push things into the future.

That said, its still just another Final Destination movie. If you've seen any of the other sequels, you know what you're getting. Only difference is, number 5 exceeds all expectations. It's a great, fun summer diversion that will have you tense and sweating for the complete duration of its 90-minute runtime. There are moments that you can't even look at. And it, quite literally, blows parts 3 and 4 out of the water. Steven Quale, making his directorial debut here, obviously cared about his job. He went back to the original and Part 2, culled together everything that worked about those first two outings, and smooshed them together for this exhilarating ride.

The problem though, which has always been a problem, especially with the last two installments, is that screenwriter Eric Heisserer struggles to fill in the gaps between each death scene. That is forgiven by the wonderfully choreographed splatter that treats each human body on screen like a just-chewed piece of Freshen Up gum, complete with red goo blomping its way out of the center just as the tension reaches its crescendo. It's the gore we come for, and it's the gore we get. Nothing more, nothing less. If you are looking for great character development and taut drama, it's best to look someplace else.

The very thin story has all of the characters working at an office together, and they are all off on a fieldtrip when their bus gets caught on a suspension bridge that collapses. Nicholas D'Agosto has the premonition this time around. He is a wannabe chef who's settled for a cubicle life over taking an internship in France. Much of the filler storyline has to deal with a reconciliation between him and his girlfriend, whom also works in his office building. He saves not only her, but also his boss (David Koechner giving an excellent performance in one of the film's most throwaway roles), another couple, a racist nerd, and a black co-worker who is having a feud with a hillbilly at work.

The opening set piece on the bridge is grand in its execution. It far exceeds the roller coaster disaster of Part 3 (which was hard to even watch as it was just one dark, fast blur), and is way more death-filled and gut wrenching then the goofy racetrack scene that kick-started Part 4. We get to watch all of the characters die in one seven minute stretch of non-stop viscera that will make even the grumpiest gore hound grin with delight. And the 3D is put to use in ways we haven't seen since Avatar.

From here, the pace runs pretty quickly. The rest of the so-called story has us following each survivor on their daily routine as they come face to face with the Grim Reaper. There is a scene in a gymnasium with a group of female gymnasts that is one of the most tension filled moments of any movie in the past five years. That's followed by a teeth-gritting trip to a Chinese massage parlor, and a visit to the optometrist for some laser eye surgery. The choreography and execution of all three of these major set pieces is flawless. And they'll have you forgetting the lousy dialogue scenes that set everything into motion.

At death number three, the rest of the characters are clued into the main plot of all Final Destination movies. That they cheated death, and that it's coming back for them with a vengeance. Once again, they learn all of this from Coroner Tony Todd, a mysterious enigma who actually gets fleshed out a bit here in Part 5. He drops a few lines of dialogue that one of the remaining characters takes a little too seriously, and it puts a fresh spin on the franchise, and actually gives us something to care about in the third act of the film.

Courtney B. Vance plays a cop investigating the bridge collapse. He creates what could be a sequel spanning character, only, he, too, must succ*mb to the rules of the plot. Meaning he must face the Grim reaper before end credits roll. The entire climax of the film is given over to a twist you may or may not see coming. It all depends on how much attention you pay to the little details. I won't give anything away. I'll just say that Final Destination 5 brings everything full circle, and that Part 4 really was 'the' Final Destination. Which is a good thing. Because if they keep making them like this, bring it on! (That doesn't make any sense, but it will after you see the film.)

Final Destination 5 is chock full of inventive death scenes and its packed with blood red gore. It was also SHOT in 3D. Which means a lot. Conan the Barbarian was screened right before FD 5, and it was converted to 3D. Seeing the two processes back to back, its clear the difference is day and night. Conan's 3D is atrocious (and about 80% of its not even in 3D). FD 5, on the other hand, is an amusement park ride that needs to be seen in the format. It may be the only movie this summer that needs to be seen in 3D, really.

That said, Final Destination 5 gets a big whoop-doo! It's on par with parts 1 and 2, and it proves that this series hasn't yet reached its own Final Destination. All you horror fans: Get out there and go see it!