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Final Destination
(New Line Platinum Series)
review by Anthony D.
Rated R
Studio: New Line
Running Time: 98 Minutes
Starring Devon Sawa, Ali Larter, Kerr Smith and Tony
Todd
Written by Glen Morgan and James Wong; from a story by
Jeffrey Reddick
Directed by James Wong
Retail Price: $29.99
Features: Commentary by Filmmakers, Commentary by
Actors, 5.1 Isolated Score with Composer Commentary,
Trailers, Two Documentaries: A Look at Test Screening,
Premonitions. DVD-ROM features: Screenplay, Link to
Theatrical Website, Games
Specs: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround Sound English, Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround Sound
English, Chapter Search
Suppose for a moment that Death, with a capital "D," has
a linear plan for you. Now suppose that you are wise enough
to find the key to that plan. Do you accept Death's plan, or
do you use your knowledge of his ways to save yourself to
live another day?
Alex Browning (Devon Sawa) a typical high school student
in all respects, is suddenly granted a premonition of the
seemingly haphazard manner in which Death stalks.
Unfortunately for a plane full of fellow French class
students about to embark for Paris, Alex's premonition comes
to be, leaving only seven survivors: Alex, and a handful of
others who were kicked off of the plane just before
take-off. The plane's destruction is vividly rendered
through the eyes of those survivors awaiting police
interrogation through the airport's window. Because of this
violent act of death, Alex is suspected by the police and
F.B.I. as being the terrorist who sabotaged the airplane.
The horrifying disaster's survivors now begin to meet
untimely ends, all seemingly linked to the air disaster. As
each death comes, so comes a premonition to Alex, just
before his comrades meet violent ends.
Becoming reclusive, Alex pores over the newspaper and
internet accounts of the accident until he comes to a
shocking hypothesis: the survivors, himself included, are
being taken by Death in the order that they would have
perished on the plane! Armed with this knowledge, can Alex
convince the few remaining friends that 1). He hasn't gone
off the deep end into insanity? 2). That there IS a way to
cheat Death's plan, and survive to live another day?
In James Wong's film, "Final Destination," the answers
come hard and fast, taking viewers on a trip filled with
suspense and intelligence. Coming from a television
background, ex-X-Files director Wong, acquits himself nicely
as a first-time film director. With writers Glen Morgan and
Jeffrey Reddick, Wong has fashioned a thriller filled with
fanciful film references (each of the survivor's name is an
hommage to classic horror genre film directors) bound to
keep viewers on the edge of their seats for a thrilling
ninety minute flight of fear.
As expected, New Line's Platinum Series presentation of
"Final Destination" boasts a pleasingly pristine print, even
if fleshtones occasionally edge toward the orange. As a
book's flipping pages cross the screen in the opening
credits, one can freeze frame and actually read the page,
the picture is that clear! Detail is rendered more than
adequately with no signs of moiring on patterned prints fan
blades. Contrast level at times is a little less than it
should be, as evidenced in early scenes depicting the
airport's arrival and departure boards, but not to the
extent that it interferes with the viewing pleasure. Special
effects shots are very nicely pulled off as well. Colors
remain stable throughout the film, as fans of blood-letting
can see for themselves in Chapter 12 (Miss Lewton), but
there is a smattering of grain in some of the darkly lit
scenes.
The audio is near-reference quality. The soundstage
constructed by the Dolby Digital 5.1 track, with its
outstanding use of rear channels, puts the viewer right into
the action. The LFE channel rarely gets a chance to rest,
ocassionally rattling the room with its sonics. Dialogue is
front and center and easily understood. The bass positively
booms when it should, creating quite an active audio
experience.
Packed with three audio commentaries, as well as
documentaries, deleted scenes and a trailer, the "Final
Destination" package should keep viewers entertained for
hours long after watching the movie. There are no great
revelations coming from the actors, but the Filmmaker
Commentary offers up some serious thoughts about the
filmmaking process, as well as thoughts of making an
audience-ready film. Finally composer Shirley Walker offers
her thoughts on scoring the film. All commentaries are
scene-specific and each has its own satisfactions. The
theatrical trailer is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, and
doesn't give away any of the film's secrets, actually
whetting one's appetite to see the film.
A special caveat goes out to the viewers who normally
would watch the special features first: If you haven't
already seen "Final Destination," DO NOT watch the
documentary on Test Screenings, as it offers information on
the film's structure and re-structure giving away key plot
elements. The other documentary features a female psychic
who is often used by police forces and F.B.I. investigative
teams, but is not nearly as interesting as it sounds.
However, the games section is very intriguing, including a
"Death Clock" quiz, that lets you know the date and time of
your departure. If anyone's interested, I will die at
10:30am on June 8, 2026; which will take me to the ripe old
age of 70! Psychics amongst you will know that I also scored
very highly on the psychic test game where you are asked to
pick the card that has been selected. I think that all dvds
should have such interesting theme games on them.
For the most part, I enjoyed this movie, though, I would
have preferred the version that was tested with audiences.
That would have been a more esoteric, symbolistic take of
Death, though, and a harder sell for the studio. Still,
"Final Destination" has its moments of
"jump-out-of-your-seats" shocks, and enough intelligence to
satisfy me to watch it repeatedly. Being an "The X-Files"
fanatic since its premiere, I expected an evening of
suspense, possibly horror from James Wong and Glen Morgan,
and I wasn't disappointed. I was taken into the story
primarily through its cast of unknown (at least to me)
actors, each who create believable characters caught up in
extraordinary circumstances. If at times, they go to
extremes with their acting, I would tend to write that off
to youthful enthusiasm rather than over-acting. I have been
recommending "Final Destination" to various friends and
co-workers lately, and have yet to hear any comments of
disappointment on their parts. Although it wasn't a
blockbuster of a film, I'm sure that "Final Destination"
will find a place in the home video libraries of fans of the
suspense genre; at the very least, it's worth a rental. Once
seen though, I dare the viewer to listen to the John Denver
song, "Rocky Mountain High" without thinking of "Final
Destination."
 (3/5, NOT included in
final score)
 (4.5/5)
 (5/5)
(5/5)
 (4/5,
NOT an average)
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