“A HORROR THRILL RIDE”
Starring: Bobby Campo, Shantel VanSanten, Haley Webb, Nick Zano, Mykelti Williamson, Krista Allen
Directed by: David Richard Ellis
MPAA Rating: R for strong violent/gruesome accidents, language and a scene of sexuality.
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy and Suspense/Horror
By John Delia
I have always been a big fan of the Final Destination movies and now seeing the latest release in 3D I’m even more impressed. In 3D everything in The Final Destination is tripled; the horror, suspense, gore, terror and panic. Whether you are a shock freak or just a lover of horror fiction this film should knock your socks off.
The film centers on Nick (Campo), his girlfriend Lori (VanSanten), her friend Janet (Webb) and Nick’s best friend Hunt (Zano) who double date and attend a
NASCAR race at a local track. During the race, Nick starts seeing visions of a grotesque car crash that involves his death and those in the stands. Nick panics and convinces Lori and several others to leave the stands. The grisly accident happens the way Nick saw it in his mind and those that cheated death are thankful. When each of the survivors starts dying off one-by-one however, Nick sets out to break the chain in an attempt to cheat death once again.
I love to escape to the movies and this is one of the better ways, a good startling stunner with a lot of action and suspense. Sure, if you have seen the
other three previous flicks, you already know how the plot works, but the difference here is the 3D that makes the film three times as horrific and shocking. Girls, you may want to cover your eyes during the mall escalator scene. The Final Destination does get predictable as it goes along, but I still was entertained looking to see how writers Eric Bess and Jeffery Reddick were going to kill off the next person.
Direction by Ellis is pinpoint keeping his actors roles interesting and real. Even though the character Hunt is more of a cad looking to bed the nearest hot chick, I still wanted him to cheat death. The show stealers however are
the way he starts the progression of each of the accidents that leads to the death of his unwilling victims. On the downside, the tow truck racist character took me aback, which to me was a tasteless way to get the audience to show hatred rather than disdain for the role.
The Final Destination contains graphic sex, strong violent/gruesome accidents, racist slurs and offensive language. In addition, the horrific events show in 3D may make viewers a little queasy especially if you are timid, frighten easily and faint from seeing blood.
FINAL ANALYSIS: It’s a thrill ride and I think I’ll go see it again this weekend. (3.5 of 5 Palm Trees – For Horror Fans 4 Palm Trees)