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ReelTalk Movie Reviews
No Way Out?
by Betty Jo Tucker

The Final Destination managed to scare me as much as Final Destination 2. “I’m almost afraid to write this review,” I wrote after watching FD2. “Something might go wrong with my computer hook-up and, while trying to fix it, I could electrocute myself. Or I might trip over the tangled cords and break my skull. Or my little finger could get stuck in the keyboard, causing me to shake it to get loose -- which could bring the monitor crashing down on my chest, and I’d never be able to breathe again. Woe is me. All these fears evoked by one little horror flick.” And now by two films in this franchise!

Well, I’ve put off writing my review as long as I can, so here goes. Each Final Destination offering follows the same path. A main character has a premonition about a disaster that’s going to happen, then helps people escape the foreseen event. (So far so good. Oops! What’s causing all this electrical static? Okay, take it easy, it’s over now.) As a result Death evens the score, one by one -- and in a series of highly creative, exceptionally gory accidents.

The three FD films prior to this one featured death by such unusual items as pigeons, laughing gas, microwave, tanning beds, nail guns, and my favorite, spaghetti. In the latest movie, add acetylene tanks, suction devices, gas can spills and power mowers to your list of dangerous objects. The film also reminds us of how scary a beauty salon can be, especially if you bring the kiddies along with you. But, most frightening of all -- how dare they? -- movie theaters can’t be ignored as areas of concern. (Ouch -- I just hit my wrist on the corner of my desk. Note to self: Be more careful.)

In The Final Destination, after Nick O’Bannon (Bobby Campo) has a terrifying vision of a race car accident, he convinces his friends and a few other spectators to leave the stadium before the disaster occurs. Attending the event with him are Lori (Shantel VanSanten), Hunt (Nick Zano) and Janet (Haley Webb).  Nick is right, of course. Unfortunately, everyone who survived, including a Security Guard (Mykelti Williamson), goes on Death’s list. Will Nick figure out a way to prevent Death from claiming its victims?

Among the cast members here, Campo impressed me the most with the sincerity of his performance as a worried young man. But, thankfully, all actors treat their roles with respect and don’t try to camp things up.

Because my eyes fail to adjust to 3D, I saw the 2D version of The Final Destination. Even so, it became obvious to me the filmmakers were paying more attention to making things fly out at the audience than to the rest of the movie, which probably explains why this one is the weakest of the franchise.

Still, like the previous films, The Final Destination provides food for thought about fate and our own mortality as well as exciting scenes for viewers who enjoy seeing blood and guts on screen. (Hey, where are these spots of blood on my computer coming from? I probably need help now.)

(Released by New Line Cinema and rated “R” for strong violent/gruesome accidents, language and a scene of sexuality.)


                                                                                                                                                                               
 
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