Final Destination(2000-2011)  

Final Destination, and a conversation with Death.

Horror/Mystery, 2000-2011, Approx.2hrs(per movie), HBO MAX 

All 5 movies within the franchise follow a similar premise. A few or more strangers survive a traumatizing incident. Believing they've all cheated death and altered their current reality, they suffer the consequences of disrupting the natural order of life. 

As a result of the Final Destination franchise releasing their 6th movie (Final Destination: Bloodlines), I decided it may be worth it to watch the other 5. Furthermore, as a Self-proclaimed horror movie enthusiast, I was of the belief that these movies were considered a 'Must-Watch' within the community.  Before watching, I hadn't heard much about the movie(s) aside from the premise at its most basic: strangers escaping death. So, I wasn't able to make any preconceived notions However, my expectations were set rather high given the positive reviews I had witnessed. I'll review the entire story and concept across all 5 movies as a whole, while also making references to specific things that stuck out as opposed to reviewing each movie individually and breaking them down.

O's 

MINOR SPOILERS FROM HERE:

The story exceeds what one would potentially expect for a horror movie, especially one of the 2000s. It isn't your average 'The Strangers' or 'Halloween', nor does it necessarily consist of hauntings. Although one could argue it has all or similar elements to those stories, it goes beyond gore and anxiety-inducing scenes.

The plot has a depth that I haven't witnessed in a movie of this genre. Not only does it attack a fear (as horror movies often do), but it forces you to question yourself or, at the very least, allows you to consider how you view death and tragedies. What was most enjoyable about the writing in each of the movies was the wide range of characters. This is a movie where perspective and ideology matter. I found it interesting how each of the characters, in cahoots with their personality, had their own view on life and death. Each of the characters had their own speculations and sense of control, or lack thereof. Throughout all of the movies, this stuck out to me as a true reflection of the real world, the differing opinions and differing faiths. In that regard, the movie doesn't lead or influence you in any way; you can openly form your own opinions. In fact, I found myself disagreeing with the main character's actions in the first movie. I appreciate how it allows you to connect with a character on a deeper level. Not just looks or personality, but morals, values, and views, which are definitely more important nowadays.

The writing has a way of keeping you engaged, and watching each of the movies is like playing a game of chess with the writers and directors. Even down to the characters, who seem cliché on their face but whose actions exceed expectations.

For Example, in FD3, Ian McKinley, one of the survivors, is your average alternative character type. Being alternative myself, I noticed the exaggerations of the character, such as his painted nails and tired eyes. The way the character dressed and acted. In one scene, He brutally kills pigeons with a nail gun with seemingly no regard for life or other creatures. 

As the movie progresses, Ian McKinley loses his girlfriend, and blaming the main character, he follows her to an event. The audience is meant to assume Ian is going to kill the main character as a result of his girlfriend's death. Furthermore, he shows up on the scene, lurking and with hands in his pockets. 

This struck me as cliché for a few reasons. Assuming his weapon of choice, it seemed influenced by a common myth about alternative individuals and how they handle certain situations. (This movie specifically was centered around high school.) Additionally, it isn't unusual for movies or television to portray alternative relationships as passionate, life-long bonds. The kind where you live for each other, die for each other, and in this case, kill for each other. 

With my observations alone, I was ready to turn off the movie, disappointed by the idea that the writing was going to get lazy, but thankfully, I was incorrect. This scene wasn't only evidence of their engaging writing but proof of their ability to keep their audience in suspense even in the most subtle ways. 

In FD2, Rory Peters is the 5th to die after a pile-up. His clichéd characteristics come with his lifestyle. Before the movie even begins, it's obvious that he's a heavy drug user and potentially a sex addict. As the movie progresses and the survivors hes grown to know, begin dying one by one, Rory speculates that he's next. There is a scene where he asks the main character, a teenage girl, to quote,

"Throw out my drugs, and my paraphernalia,  and my porno?" And then a necessary pause. 

It isn't odd for a man who thinks they're going to die to want their belongings cleared out, especially items that aren't ideal. The pause between could be interpreted as an opportunity for comedic relief, since not only do you learn more about Rory as a character and his lifestyle, but you get to analyze the irony in asking a stranger to throw away arguably your most intimate items, a teenage girl no less. Even the main character is smiling and laughing at his request. However, it's the words that follow that are unexpected. Quote,

"Yknow, anything that's going to break my mom's heart." It brings you back to the reality and weight of the situation at hand, a further testament to the writer's ability to keep their audience's attention and keep them in suspense. 

The scene alone was suffocating, but his death immediately after was the action that took my breath. (I cried).

For a horror movie, I hadn't expected to cry, but the acting was emotionally moving. In the first movie, one of the characters combats guilt. Kirsten Cloke's acting in that scene was devastating. The characters often describe their lives. Keegan Connor's character in the 2nd movie rants about being in the peak of her life. Although it upsets some of the other characters, her acting expresses desperation and emphasizes death's uncertainty.

One character describes death as a presence, and while they can't quite explain what they're experiencing, they feel it looming over them. The words and scene are vague, but it creates an anxiety within the audience that could convince someone they, too, were feeling a presence.

X's

 As it stands, there isn't anything to dislike about any of the movies. The pacing is ideal, and the writing is clearly well-thought-out. Even when there's something off-putting about the movie, the franchise has a way of tying up all its loose ends and appeasing their audience. For example, in FD4 there are some less-than-ideal characters, and when you think you're gonna be forced to sit through their scenes, the plot thickens. 

The movies are well balanced emotionally, and don't rely on jump scares alone, nor is it just back-to-back gore; there is genuine substance.

Underlying Observations

The movies definitely highlight the uncertainty of Death and force you to question your own perspective. I noticed that some of the survivors, after a pattern was discovered, their language changed. They would say things like "So I'm going to die?"  Or "If I'm going to die.." As if it wasn't something set in stone since they were born. An inference can be made that these characters hadn't valued death as much as life, or even that they hadn't valued death at all, and when things suddenly change, they begin to obsess.

If you're willing to accept death's design and alternate realities, then I'm sure you can accept manifestation and words having meaning as well.

Death is at the forefront of it all. Death is the focus, and eventually it becomes the obsession in all 5 movies, but the lack of control is the fear. The characters do everything not to die, as if it weren't destined from the beginning. Even though Death is portrayed as an entity, I don't believe anything was after any of the characters at all. There are deaths within the movie that ultimately could have been prevented, but I believe are accepted simply given the pattern. 

For example,  in FD2, one of the characters who is next to die gets her hair caught. Before even assessing the situation, she begins freaking out and even states "I don't wanna die". Of course, to no avail, she dies anyway. If she had simply assessed the situation, realized those around who were trying to help, her death could have been prolonged at the very least. There are other minor things, like liquids around outlets or bolts not being secured in ladders. The characters often miss the mark that while death is inevitable, it is preventable to a certain extent. (This is an observation of the characters in their FD Universe, not an observation of the writing.) I believe their obsession is what led them to be killed, even the characters who claimed to be in control don't believe the words they are saying, but they do believe they're going to die, and are influenced by the alleged pattern. Some characters even die immediately after reclaiming their new lives, further supporting my claim that words have meanings and manifestation could be the root of their deaths. 

Additionally, At the end of FD4, when the rest of the survivors have seemingly beaten 'death's design,' they gather around to celebrate. The main character gets another uncomfortable feeling, and now He believes that death's design has changed. The inference I made is that the whole plot of the movie could have been avoided if obsession and fear weren't at the forefront. One could even believe that they didn't 'escape death' at all, they simply just weren't meant to die until the end of the movie. Death has a plan, and it is inevitable, but it's not a plan you can cheat even if you convince yourself you did. 

Conclusion

In conclusion,  these movies are definitely worth watching and deserve scrutiny. Perhaps, further scrutiny than I provided. They tackle much more than horror and suspense, and have a story with depth that I wouldn't expect in a horror movie. The movies are graphic,  and while I personally wouldn't deem it as scary or terrorizing in the horror genre sense, I can see how some of the scenes are traumatizing, especially unexpected and abrupt. So, I recommend being mindful of your own sensitivity and those who may be watching around or with you. 

XOXO, Enjoy the movie(s)! and look out behind you~<3