After the rather… lacklustre (to put it mildly) fourth instalment, The Final Destination, many of us were ready to write off the franchise entirely. But oh, how wrong we were! Final Destination 5 swooped in like a perfectly executed gymnastics routine, reminding us why we fell in love with Death's meticulous machinations in the first place.
One of the most genius strokes of Final Destination 5 is how it weaves itself into the fabric of the entire franchise. For most of its runtime, it plays out like a classic Final Destination sequel: a group of young professionals survives a catastrophic event – in this case, a truly spectacular suspension bridge collapse – only to be systematically picked off by Death's intricate design. But then, then comes the twist. The revelation.
As our final survivors, Sam and Molly, board their flight to Paris, we, the audience, start to get that familiar tingle. The flight number. The arguing teenagers. The premonition. It's Flight 180, the very plane from the original Final Destination! This isn't a sequel; it's a prequel. It slots neatly into the timeline, directly preceding the events of the first film, offering a chillingly satisfying full circle. It's a continuity masterclass, making the entire series feel more cohesive and, frankly, more tragic. The events of the preceding films now feel like a direct consequence of this film's desperate struggle against fate.
Visually, Final Destination 5 is a significant step up. Director Steven Quale, a veteran of James Cameron's crew, brings a keen eye for spectacle and tension. The opening bridge collapse is a true highlight – a chaotic ballet of twisting metal, falling concrete, and terrified screams. It's a visceral, impactful sequence that immediately grabs you by the throat. Unlike the sometimes-dodgy CGI of its immediate predecessor, FD5 largely employs practical effects and well-integrated digital work, which makes the gruesome deaths feel all the more impactful and less cartoonish.
The film makes excellent use of 3D, a format that was often a gimmick but here genuinely enhances the experience. Those infamous opening credits, with their shards of glass and impaling objects flying at the screen, immediately set the tone. And the death sequences themselves are composed with a Rube Goldberg-esque precision, building suspense as each seemingly innocuous object becomes a potential instrument of demise. The camera lingers on the details – a loose screw, a dripping tap, a wobbly fan – creating an almost unbearable sense of dread.
The core theme of the Final Destination franchise has always been fatalism: the idea that death is inevitable and cannot be cheated. Final Destination 5 delves into this with a darker, more philosophical edge. It introduces a new "rule" – that killing someone else can grant you their remaining lifespan. This immediately raises the stakes and forces the characters into a moral quandary, pushing them to consider truly horrific acts in a desperate bid for survival. It explores the primal fear of death and how far people are willing to go to escape it, even if it means becoming a murderer.
Symbolism is rife, though often subtle. The omnipresent number 180, the ominous wind chimes, the fleeting reflections of skeletal figures – these are all hallmarks. Tony Todd's return as the enigmatic Coroner William Bludworth is particularly significant. He acts as Death's grim spokesperson, a chilling oracle who imparts the rules of the game with a knowing, unsettling gravitas. He's almost a personification of Death itself, always appearing at the periphery, observing and commenting on the unfolding tragedies. His presence reinforces the idea of an unseen, intelligent force at play, rather than just random chance.
One of The Final Destination's biggest failings was its largely unlikable and forgettable characters. Final Destination 5 course-corrects magnificently. We're introduced to a surprisingly relatable ensemble of co-workers, led by Sam Lawton (Nicholas D'Agosto), who has the premonition. Emma Bell as Molly, Sam's girlfriend, is another strong anchor, providing an emotional core that was sorely missing from previous entries.
The supporting cast, including Miles Fisher as the increasingly unhinged Peter, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood as the vain Olivia, and P.J. Byrne as the sleazy Isaac, all bring distinct personalities to the table. We get a sense of their lives, their flaws, and their aspirations, which makes their inevitable gruesome demises all the more impactful. We actually care about these people, which is crucial for a horror film to truly land its punches. David Koechner as Dennis Lapman provides some much-needed comic relief, but even his moments of levity are tinged with the looming threat of Death.
Final Destination 5 was a genuine critical darling for the franchise. It received surprisingly positive reviews, with many critics praising its inventive deaths, effective 3D, and that brilliant twist ending. While it didn't rack up any major awards, its positive reception was a victory in itself, effectively revitalising a series many had thought was dead and buried. It proved that there was still life (or rather, death) left in the concept. It was widely regarded as the best entry since Final Destination 2, and some even argue it rivals the original.
Compared to some other horror franchises, the Final Destination series generally hasn't been plagued by major behind-the-scenes drama, and Final Destination 5 seems to follow suit. The production was relatively smooth, focusing on executing those elaborate death sequences and the impactful opening disaster. Director Steven Quale's experience with large-scale effects certainly paid dividends, allowing the crew to bring the premonition and subsequent deaths to life with impressive realism. The focus was clearly on delivering a high-quality horror experience, and it shows in the final product.
In conclusion, Final Destination 5 is not just a good Final Destination film; it's a genuinely good horror film, full stop. It's inventive, suspenseful, and surprisingly poignant at times. It perfectly balances the series' signature elaborate deaths with a more compelling narrative and characters we can actually invest in. The masterful prequel twist elevates it from a mere sequel to an essential piece of the Final Destination puzzle, retroactively enriching the entire saga. So, if you're a fan of well-crafted horror and enjoy watching elaborate, often darkly humorous, ways for people to meet their maker, then grab a cuppa and settle in. You won't be disappointed. Just try not to flinch too much when the sharp objects start flying your way!
