Final Destination 5 (2011)

Directed by: Steven Quale | 92 minutes | horror, thriller | Actors: David Koechner, Emma Bell, Nicholas D’Agosto, Tony Todd, Courtney B. Vance, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, PJ Byrne, Arlen Escarpeta, Miles Fisher, Ellen Wroe, Tim Fellingham, Tanya Hubbard, Andy Nez, Ian Thompson

Call it the power of repetition, but the ‘Final Destination’ franchise continues to draw audiences. With most series, after two sequels, the draft is over, but not with this series. ‘Final Destination 5’ – in redundant 3D – is another reason for Hollywood horror fans to run to the cinema or video store. The makers have once again captured plenty of creative ways to die on celluloid.

‘Final Destination 5’ revolves around Sam Lawton (D’Agosto) who saves a number of colleagues from certain death. The boy had a vision in which he saw a bridge collapse and his mates die. Lawton escapes this fate just in time and his colleagues are grateful. But then those same people still die. Death still takes its toll. Can our hero avert the danger?

The story is known. Each ‘Final Destination’ begins with a similar vision. The strength of the series lies in its both idiotic and entertaining massacres, and this installment doesn’t disappoint. So you can expect a horribly out of control acupuncture session and a disturbing eye laser treatment. The series still manages to surprise and shock. Just when you think you know how a victim comes to an end, the makers kick it up a notch and a grotesque slaughter follows that no one saw coming.

It doesn’t matter that the acting is not very strong and logic is hard to find. The series gives the fans what they want. The casting is pretty funny by the way. The B actors seem to have been chosen for their appearance. Miles Fischer, for example, resembles a young version of Tom Cruise and Emma Bell is very similar to Uma Thurman. Nice, but in terms of acting they stand out less. Cul icon Tony ‘Candyman’ Todd has a nice supporting role as an undertaker (he also played that role in the first part).

According to the makers, the fifth part had to go back to the first part, which in terms of atmosphere was a bit darker and less funny than the sequels. Big nonsense, because the original was also not to be taken seriously thanks to the flat characters and bizarre accidents. So part five also deals with impossible deaths that clearly come from the computer. The special effects look fake and don’t look realistic. It’s more gross than horrific. In addition, the far-fetched massacres are so over the top that you chuckle rather than horrify.

‘Final Destination 5’ is funny and bloody. If you liked the predecessors, then you will also enjoy this edition. Horror fans with a morbid sense of humor may not laugh themselves to death, but they will enjoy the antics of the Grim Reaper shaking their stomachs. And that’s how it should be!