Forums Horror Movie Talk
Admitting I Was Wrong: Final Destination 5

I finally finished Final Destination 5. I’m kicking myself in the ass for bailing so early upon my first attempt, the finale of this feature is nothing short of genius, or as the trendy net kids may say, an “epic win”. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a huge fan of the franchise sans the first two films, but there’s absolutely no denying the impact and overall quality of the latest (and hopefully the last; I can’t see how you wrap this franchise up any tighter) installment.

Initially I witnessed some questionable CGI, a few technical mishaps (see the bridge scene - which for the record is astonishingly overrated - in which a giant slab of concrete gives way and plunges into the waiting water below, and the fact that neither the bus nor any other vehicle on said slab so much as shift mid-plummet) and a handful of seriously forgettable performances. While some of my quips still stand (both Miles Fisher and Ellen Wroe turned in dreadful performances, and you’ve got to admit that some of the death scenes look like they leapt from a cartoon), I’ve got to extend masve praise to scribe Eric Heisserer (who also penned last year’s The Thing and 2010’s Nightmare on Elm Street reboot), who turns in the finest script nce the franchises launch.

The film plays out just as you’d expect, for a solid hour, and then some shifts really come into play. I won’t spoil the final act for anyone yet to see the picture, but I’ll say this: Heisserer’s decion to incorporate a villainous figure other than death was brilliant, and the final twist(s) in the picture are absolute gold. I never saw the major reveal coming, and for me, that’s a pretty amazing feat: I predict films like you wouldn't believe, trust in that. The death sequences themselves won’t baffle you, as the majority of them are uber-predictable (a couple were revealed in the actual trailer, and early clips), and of course, anyone who’s seen at least one FD flick knows the formula, which means you’ve got a pretty damn good idea of who’s going to die, and who isn’t. That said this one doesn’t live and breathe on gore alone: there’s a quality tale here, as astonishing as that sounds.

If you’ve been sleeping on this genre installment (in part thanks to the absolutely unbearable fourth film, at least in my case), now’s a good time to drop a few bucks on a rental. The final act alone is worthy of your hard earned cash, and I must admit, it’s very refreshing to see such a finely tuned script emerge this deep in the series. Remember, don’t expect remarkable kill scenes just expect an amazing script with one of the most rewarding payoffs offered forth by the genre in quite some time. Hell, you can go in completely blind, with zero expectations: just don’t make the mistake I made and bail early, you’ll miss something truly special!

Follow Matt Molgaard on Twitter

Great post!

I'm a huge fan of the series and I thought this was the step the films should have taken. Albeit a little late for a fifth installment it was awesome.

The day before I was finally able to watch it I did spoil a piece of the ending for myself but it all played out wonderfully. THIS should be the final film because anymore would just be anine

though.... I hear they plan on shooting two more back to back :/

Great post!

I'm a huge fan of the series and I thought this was the step the films should have taken. Albeit a little late for a fifth installment it was awesome.

The day before I was finally able to watch it I did spoil a piece of the ending for myself but it all played out wonderfully. THIS should be the final film because anymore would just be anine

though.... I hear they plan on shooting two more back to back :

I really hope they don't shoot anymore: this was a superb way to wrap the series. Its REALLY rare that a FIFTH installment shines like this.

I have FD5 listed as my dark horse horror flick from '11. It really is a superb way to wrap up the series, but you know as well as I do Matt, we'll most likely see a 6th installment.

I've been looking forward to seeing this. The only one in the series to really let me down was part 4. I didn't hate it, it just seemed like they were trying too hard to overuse the 3D.

I've been looking forward to seeing this. The only one in the series to really let me down was part 4. I didn't hate it, it just seemed like they were trying too hard to overuse the 3D.

4 was the worst of the franchise by a MASVE, MASVE landslide. That was one genuinely terrible flick. The script for that was embarrasng, and it still really irks me that they completely disregarded the suspense; there's virtually zero build ups, even in the death scenes, which are famous for the misleading visuals that culminate in the kill you "don't see coming". Part 4 was just, boom, here's the kill, fuck trying to fool you, and that SUCKED.

I still haven't gotten around to seeing 4 or 5, I loved the first 2 installments but 3 left me uninterested in the rest.

However, this certainly isn't the first time I've read amazing things about FD5. The question is - am I good to see 5 and skip 4 in the process? Or will I first have to endure the steaming pile of turd I so often hear that part 4 is...?

I still haven't gotten around to seeing 4 or 5, I loved the first 2 installments but 3 left me uninterested in the rest.

However, this certainly isn't the first time I've read amazing things about FD5. The question is - am I good to see 5 and skip 4 in the process? Or will I first have to endure the steaming pile of turd I so often hear that part 4 is...? I skipped part 4 myself and still had a great time with part 5.

The acting isn't the greatest in 5 but compared to what I've seen in 4 it's a lot better. The opening and ending sequences for 5 are pretty damn awesome.

I still haven't gotten around to seeing 4 or 5, I loved the first 2 installments but 3 left me uninterested in the rest.

However, this certainly isn't the first time I've read amazing things about FD5. The question is - am I good to see 5 and skip 4 in the process? Or will I first have to endure the steaming pile of turd I so often hear that part 4 is...?

you're better off skipping 4; it has no ties with this film, and there's a reason - the production co. here knew they had to erase the awful taste part 4 left in the mouth.

I've been looking forward to seeing this. The only one in the series to really let me down was part 4. I didn't hate it, it just seemed like they were trying too hard to overuse the 3D.

4 was the worst of the franchise by a MASVE, MASVE landslide. That was one genuinely terrible flick. The script for that was embarrasng, and it still really irks me that they completely disregarded the suspense; there's virtually zero build ups, even in the death scenes, which are famous for the misleading visuals that culminate in the kill you "don't see coming". Part 4 was just, boom, here's the kill, fuck trying to fool you, and that SUCKED.

Plus, it had one of the lamest endings of a horror movie ever. I was booing at the tv.

I just had to say, it's because of Matt's review up there that I decided to give 5 a chance, and I'm really glad I did. I haven't seen one of these movies in years (never saw 4, barely remember 3) and I'm not big on this franchise, but this one I enjoyed. And that ending, man oh man.

I just saw it too and very much enjoyed it. I have to admit though I did see the twist ending coming 10 minutes into the film. But that didn't stop it from being a really fun experience!