‘The Final Destination’: Bloody 3D Fun
by John NolteThe “Final Destination” series really does have a genius concept. You cast a group of a half-dozen or so very killable twentysomethings, stage a big, gory opening set-piece where they’re the only ones who escape a grisly death, and then have an invisible Grim Reaper collect his debt using items we live with every day (ceiling fans, lawn mowers, shampoo, the escalator!) to knock them off one-by-one in the goriest ways imaginable.
If this is what you’re looking for, “Final Destination 4,” sorry, “THE Final Destination” delivers … and in 3D!
The concept’s so good there’s really no need for a story. The key to making it fun is how elaborate and creative each death is staged and “The” doesn’t disappoint. Each deadly chain of events — and they come about every seven minutes — is elaborately orchestrated: Pretty Young Thing (PYT) gives change to a bum. Bum scares off pigeon. Pigeon poops on PYT’s car. PYT’s sunroof is on the fritz. PYT goes to the car wash… All. Hell. Breaks. Loose.
FD4 isn’t all that suspenseful, but that’s not the idea. The goal is giddy anticipation and with a group of friends you’ll have a great time. My screening took place in a packed theatre filled with excited fans all wearing 3D glasses and relishing each and every kill — which made for one of those unique theatre experiences. There’s plenty of gore but the presentation is intentionally cartoonish (and witty). Director David R. Ellis wants you shielding your eyes and laughing, and that’s exactly what you’ll do.
As he proved with the all-kinds of entertaining “Snakes on a Plane,” Ellis knows his way around this genre; how to hit the exact right tone, sustain it, and from A to Z keep the ride as unassuming, unpretentious and amusing as possible. Like the violence, the gratuitous nudity is wonderfully gratuitous and your job is to take a seat, put on the glasses, accept FD4 on its own terms and give yourself over to it.
This won’t be the best movie you’ll see this year, but it could be the best time you’ll have at the movies this year … and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Got a Tip?
489 Comments
Loved Snakes on a Plane! I'm there!
"Snakes on a Plane" was over-hyped, then under-appreciated…. It is a fantastically entertaining film, both suspenseful and funny. I loved every minute of it. Bought the DVD the next day.
And you can't over-hype a line like, "Get these mother f–king snakes off this mother f–king plane" as read by Sam Jackson … you simply can't.
Sorry, John, but this is really not what I'm looking for in a movie.
I think the whole popular culture of watching violence for entertainment is sick, and contributes to a general insensitivity toward other human beings which is systemic in modern life.
"One of the few good things about modern times: If you die horribly on television, you will not have died in vain. You will have entertained the rest of us."
-Kurt Vonnegut
As an old guy, I remember some of the early 3D offerings of Boris Karloff horror flicks in the late 50's or early 60's. They kind of worked, but I guess technology today would be far superior. Was this movie shot on film or with digital hi-def cameras? Maybe what I was hoping was that you would comment more on the technical aspects of modern 3D. If you have already done this and I somehow missed it, my apologies. As far as Final Destination as a franchise, like Old Tom, it is not my favorite genre, but I do believe I could accept it on it's own terms if the technology is all that good.
I'm there. And I know that a lot of people are sensitive about the whole "Death as Entertainment" thing, but honestly, this is too goofy a movie to be sensitive about.
Just remember: They want you LAUGHING and covering your eyes!
I love the Rube Goldberg style accidents they use to kill people. It has always been entertaining. Can't wait to see this one.
we'll forgive Mr Nolte's youthful exuberance on this matter…
Yes 'Final Destination' is a great concept and thrill ride. For kids. Lacking in any subtlety or redemption it is a one trick pony for adolescents.
Nothing wrong with that- but leaves us cold. Perhaps something will be made to set us back to the Googleplex…
Sweet. I've been wanting to see this for some time now. The death I've been waiting to see in 4 movies is someone die through spontaneous human combustion.
Picture this: Guy narrowly avoids the long string accident like what Nolte talked about in his review.
"Whoo! I beat death!" (boom!)
Nothing like brains and guts splashing into your lap on a Saturday morning during an economic meltdown…only in Amerika.
A friend talked me into seeing the first one years ago. It's degenerate garbage.
Mary Jo Kopechne could have been a character in the movie. It is interesting that this movie is positively reviewed on a conservative website while our president sings the praises of a man who left that girl for dead while plotting to save his career. Fine summer entertainment all around.
I'll pass, but you're right that the premise is sheer brilliance. I liked the first one I saw (to a point), but I've lost my taste for movies where the entire point is innocent people being killed off. Either I'm too old to properly appreciate the irony or life has reached the point where the daily news already makes me too depressed to enjoy it. As a trailer, however, the movies do make me smile and shake my head.
self-righteous people are funny.
your momma's funny
Loved the scene in the beauty parlor where Ellis has you imagine about ten or so incredibly upsetting scenarios (and one clever nod to Repulsion,)very suspenseful. Glad to see the franchise get some love on Big Hollywood as it is the most consistently entertaining series of horror films to come out since the original Nightmare on Elm Street. A shame so many comments are bashing a series that diabolically gets young people to contemplate their mortality-a good thing!
Ohh Des give the second one a shot, the opening alone is brilliant- if you like movies you'll enjoy it.
This is exactly my take on it. On a certain level I feel a little sorry I can't seem to enjoy this type of movie. But I simply can't get over the idea of watching people die. I suppose it's some combination of my own mortality and a deeper appreciation of the very real suffering that occurs all too often.
The film was shot digital- the 3-D effects are the best I've seen yet of the new crop. I may have even slightly flinched once and when it comes to these types of things I'm usually un-flinchable. If you see the film I think one thing you should keep in mind as it is the fourth film in the franchise it is shorn down to its core- moves very fast and knows what its audience wants- while always maintaining visual whit and clever asides (why can't we be friends plays as a racist is dispatched,) the only negative is the 13.50 they charged me to see the film which happened to be a night I felt generous and offered to pay for everyone's ticket before I knew about the jacked up price.
Why do you need to get over the idea of watching people die?
"why can't we be friends plays as a racist is dispatched"
a racist is not tolerated in a clever aside – but every other base instinct is encouraged while watching people be 'dispatched'.
'contemplating their own mortality'..hmmm. The last horror movie I saw the people behind me were yelling and laughing "Kill the stupid b**ch". They didn't seem the reflective type.
Doesn't make the horrors of reality go away, does it?
Does this not seem a bit like people in the Coliseum being entertained by the death of others. Encouraging other people to watch this kind of stuff is wrong.
Yeah, the modern popular culture phenomenon of watching violence for entertainment is so awful. We never had people crowding around rings to watch two men beat the tar out of each other at any point in the good old days. Or crowding around rings to watch lions eat people alive before that. Man, modern society sucks!
Now excuse me while I go to the UFC Fight tonight. I've got great tickets, I'm in the splash zone.
I think any movie that evokes an emotional response is a 'good movie.' different people prefer different emotions. humor, romance, drama etc.
example: i don't like sad movies like that one recently that had a little girl with cancer. does that mean it's a bad movie? I certainly felt it was morbid.
another example: i know people who put hot sauce on everything. to me, it over powers my taste buds. but some people like that sensation.
Stephen King believes that everyone has a dark side and horror movies a safe release for those feelings. He said something like, "I believe in peace and love as long as the gators are fed." (paraphrased)
There is a difference between boxing and watching lions eat people or watching teenagers put into meat grinders
There is a difference between boxing and watching lions eat people or enjoying seeing teenagers put into meat grinders on the movie screen.
There is a difference between liking hot sauce and liking to see teenagers humorously tortured on screen.
Pornography allows for a 'safe release' while encouraging 'those feelings' at the same time.
Ill never get how someone can find someone elses fear and pain and terror entertaining. Are they the same people who like to see that in real life? I would think most of them would be like that bimbo on HuffPo that speculated that Mary Jo though it was worth it to die in kennedy's care…a pocket of air and knowing she'll never escape!
When they start making horror stories like the 1963 version of The Haunting of Hill House, I will start seeing horror films.
I agree. My teenage daughter used to love this stuff. A couple of weeks ago a friend of hers was killed trying to cross a highway. She's not so interested in seeing this anymore.
I could never understand the premise of these FD series of movies. OK – so people get killed in gory, unlikely scenarios. So? I think real life is even worse.
Rob
We turn to the horrors of Cinema to escape the horrors of reality. So said Stephen King. Interesting. True too….
Rob
Really, what is the point of these movies? There's no drama. No central protagonist, who has a problem/challenge, to achieve or fail. It's merely random slaughter. Same with the other horror movies. It's not even written, more like choreographed. Pathetic, really.
Compared to the 1950's Hammer Horror or Price/Karloff stuff, pretty thin dramatically. Can't anyone in Hollywood actually write?
Do you like to see children die of cancer? (My Sister's Keeper)
Thanks. That's the quote i was trying to remember.
Compare Vincent Price in Last Man on Earth to Chuck Heston in Omega Man to Will Smith in I Am Legend.
From Great to Good to Ehhh.
Old 3D relied on skewed colors and gave headaches, whereas modern 3D preserves normal colors via a much comfier lens with a nearly invisible polarization trick. However, this technology is not yet available for home consumers due to digital refresh-rate requirements north of 120hz, which most people do not own. Manufacturers are targeting 2010 for the roll-out of living room versions of polarized 3D via Blu-ray, with Panasonic's products expected first out of the gate. Already vidgamers are jumping the bandwagon with fast-rate LED screens and nVidia cards.
I'll wait for the Rifftrax version.
for clarification, there are separate full-quality images being sent to each person's left and right eyes, which is why visual media requires a fast refresh rate. While Blu-ray discs can handle that much data, DVDs cannot. Thus Hollywood/Silicon Valley/manufacturers are hoping to wean consumers off DVD via 3D so that a profit stream can be renewed.
John… I feel ya brother. Got the point and appreciate the movie for what it is. It;s a Twinkie folks…. if anyone is "inspired" to set up Rube Goldberg shenanigans by this they were gonna do it anyway.
For Pete's sake — Home Alone is a similar movie except they all live — Penultimate Destination.
And by cheating death… they were not innocent… it's almost Calvinistic.
I love how many sequels are being made for a series with the word "Final" in the titles.
This is pretty much the stupidest damn version of one of the stupidest damn ideas to come out of one of the least creative genres the movie business has to offer.
I felt this way right after the first Saw movie came out and then Hostel put me over the edge, I'll stick to action adventure drama and comedy personally. I'd rather be scared than sickened.
Self righteous people would tell you not to go see it,People expressing their opinions would tell you they just don't find the movie their cup of tea. Notice the difference.
John, I agree, Snakes on Plane was enjoyable….but FD 3D was a horrible sequel!! The producers phoned this one in… the 3D was cheesy, they didn't even TRY to come up with different story approach!!! Worst of all, I know this was horror but the acting was the worst. There was barely any energy in the scenes, the actors were just walking through with no sense of urgency. The sad part of all this is FD was pretty original in the previous installments, making "death" the antagonist was very creative, in the end these guys let us down.
[...] in the goriest ways imaginable. If this is what you’re looking for, “Final Destination click for more var _wh = ((document.location.protocol==’https:’) ? “https://sec1.woopra.com” : [...]
I'm glad you agree with me.
Thanks for that input. Sounds really interesting. I almost never actually go to a commercial theatre anymore due to: 1) 15 miles to nearest theatre 2) price of the theatre, snacks and annoying cell phone, texting etc. 3) watch mostly at home with a Runco VX2000D with a processor that is scary good on a 100" Stewart Firehawk micoperf. screen so why bother other than to see a brand new release. That begs the question, I suppose, as to whether a DVD will have the 3D capability.
read Glass Menagerie. I think there is a movie version, if you prefer.
i can paraphrase George Romero, "we turn to the horrors of cinema to escape the horrors of reality." Or maybe it was Stephen King.
We don't go to modern horror movies to "contemplate our mortality". We go to modern horror movies because we are sick, evil f_cks who like watching other people die screaming in fear and pain.
I think I'm going to pass. If I want to see people die horribly, I'll go about ten miles East into Downtown Detroit on any given Saturday night.
I thought Nolte was being ironic about The Final Destination being a part four, but after I went and saw it this evening a guy at the bar said it was a fourth installment as well. I guess the 3D part of the title is a replacement for "part four." I went to kill some time watching this this evening and it was not bad. It's brainless teen popcorn horror in the best sense. I had a good time for 82 minutes (IIIRC that's the runtime).
"The concept's so good there's really no need for a story."
Very likely overheard at a pitch meeting for just about every movie released this summer.
Or, for that manner any of Jacson's lines in most movies. They are usually pretty memorable. I still smile thinking of the Chesseburger Royale bit from Pulp Fiction.
don't go see it.
So your point is what, exactly? Modern society is no worse than the ancient Roman mob?
That's a brilliant argument.
Sorry, but why would I be laughing while watching people get killed in a series of increasingly bizarre and graphic ways?
The laugh reflex is exactly what I'm talking about. This is not healthy.
My point exactly. Could not have said it better myself…
I'm really not talking about copycat stuff. Human behavior is not that simple a cause-and-effect.
What I mean by "desensitization" is a process over time of coming to regard other people as less than yourself; as objects for your entertainment, pleasure, or service. Viewing pornography has exactly the same long term effects as watching this kind of crap. For that matter, so does watching the evening news…
My point is that people like to watch violence for entertainment, always have and always will. It isn't some modern phenomenon that illustrates a decline in societal morals as you seem to want to see it.
The reason I pointed out the Roman example is to show that modern society is vastly BETTER than the ancient Roman mob or indeed most past societies. Unless, of course, you happen to think that watching fictional cartoonish violence is the equivalent of watching real people being eaten alive by beasts.
Of course you don't
"I've got great tickets, I'm in the splash zone."
Real enlightened.
You're simply rationalizing. What was a sick, depraved appetite 2000 years ago is essentially the same thing today. If you'll re-read my original post, you'll see that I never characterized this as a "new" phenomenon; I simply said that it was unhealthy and widespread in modern society. We should aspire to better things.
That was a joke. See what I did there was… Oh nevermind.
By the bye, I sadly (probably) can't afford UFC tickets. I did, however, watch the fights on the pay-per-view and they were rather disappointing. Had I of been in the front seats my poncho would have been prestine and lonely for lack of use.
I got the joke. Here's what I find intriguing about this discussion. You're revealing yourself more and more to be almost completely insensitive while taking me to task for criticizing the level of insensitivity in modern society.
That's called "comic irony".
Maybe you didn't get the joke after all. The idea was that I would speak out against violence for entertainment and then talk about how I'm about to go indulge in violence for entertainment.
But my argument was merely that watching violence for entertainment is nothing new, which I thought was what you were proposing in your original comment. However, you have since claimed that was not your intention and because this is the Internet, a place where nobody lies, I am inclined to believe you and take no further issue.
Now what I find interesting is that your inability to seperate my humor from actual insensitivity mirrors your inability to seperate the comic violence of Final Destination from real violence.
I'm not sure what this is called. Stupidity, I should think.
(pwnt)
Wow, so we're namecalling now?
That's pretty insensitive.
I liked the happy ending!!!!!!
Are you buying Moncler Jackets Women to keep warm in icy weather, or to look trendy amongst your peers or maybe you want to wear your jacket to work. The function dictates the style, color, design and even the price. Most brands will try to sell Moncler Men Coatsyou an all-in-one solution but this does not always work, style and comfort is a rare combination. Famous brands are about fashion styles as much as design but the most important consideration should always be bout qualityMoncler Scarves & Caps. Quality determines durability and integrity of the finished product.Moncler is a name derived from Monestier de Clermont the original birthplace of the forward thinking founders who created one of the most famous Moncler Vest outwear products. Moncler jackets have occupied the down jacket industry market for many years and have over the years seen a number of competitors come and go.The Bailey Button boots is fabricated with adequate insoles that accomplish walking in them a breeze. The heels are adequate with guards and the EVA outsole is ugg classic tall bootfailing and flexible. Back acclimation this style, UGG recommends acclimation a admeasurement abate than your accustomed shoe size. The auction has been organized by Bailey Button Triplet For Women's Chestnut Boots its cheap uggs, the company behind the famous sheepskin boots, established in 1978 when a young Australian surfer named Brian Sand Ugg Classic Tall BootsSmith started selling the boots while on a trip to America.
You’re a very skilled blogger….
I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!…
This Is The Best Blogs…
I think this is one of the most significant info for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things, The web site style is ideal, the articles is really excellent….
The best website……
[...]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[...]……
Websites you should visit…
[...]below you’ll find the link to some sites that we think you should visit[...]……
You should check this out…
[...] Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nevertheless really worth taking a look, whoa did one learn about Mid East has got more problerms as well [...]……
Smart People Out There…
[...]The Original Article Here[...]……
Cool sites…
[...]we came across a cool site that you might enjoy. Take a look if you want[...]……
Gems form the internet…
[...]very few websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[...]……
Links Trackback…
[...]Sites of interest we have a link to[...]……
Sources…
[...]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[...]…
Evergreen…
Wow, incredible blog structure! How lengthy have you ever been blogging for? you make blogging glance easy. The total glance of your website is magnificent, neatly as the content!…
Sites we Like……
[...] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose [...]……
Evergreen…
Wow, amazing blog structure! How long have you ever been blogging for? you made running a blog glance easy. The total glance of your website is excellent, neatly as the content!…
As You Like It…
weblog right here! Also your web site loads up very fast! What web host are you the usage of? Can I get your associate hyperlink in your host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol…
As You Like It…
weblog here! Additionally your website a lot up fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your associate hyperlink to your host? I desire my website loaded up as fast as yours lol…
Nice Site…
[…] … great article that everyone should read […]…
Evergreen…
Wow, fantastic weblog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make running a blog glance easy. The entire glance of your website is great, as smartly the content!…
As You Like It…
blog here! Additionally your web site quite a bit up fast! What web host are you the usage of? Can I get your associate link in your host? I desire my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol…
As You Like It…
blog right here! Also your web site lots up fast! What web host are you the use of? Can I get your affiliate link on your host? I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol…
As You Like It…
blog here! Additionally your website lots up fast! What web host are you using? Can I am getting your affiliate link to your host? I want my website loaded up as fast as yours lol…
Furniture Manufacturer…
[...]I saw this is really great post today, so I’ve linked to my site and bookmarking it to digg, Delicious and stumble upon, Keep this trackback approved so they can index this page[...]…
Related…Trackback…
[...]just beneath, are numerous totally not related sites to ours, however, they are surely worth going over[...]……
Related……
[...]just beneath, are numerous totally not related sites to ours, however, they are surely worth going over[...]……
Related……
[...]just beneath, are numerous totally not related sites to ours, however, they are surely worth going over[...]……
[...]Sites of interest we have a link to[...]……
[...]usually posts some very interesting stuff like this. If you’re new to this site[...]……
Blogs ou should be reading…
[...]Here is a Great Blog You Might Find Interesting that we Encourage You[...]……
Evergreen…
Wow, awesome blog layout! How lengthy have you been blogging for? you made running a blog glance easy. The overall look of your website is fantastic, well the content material!…
Nighttime post…
Read before bed!…
Evergreen…
Wow, incredible weblog layout! How long have you ever been running a blog for? you made blogging look easy. The total look of your site is magnificent, as smartly the content material!…
You must be logged in to post a comment.