Final Destination 5

While it was not a great or perfect film (particularly in the dialogue, ending and some of the acting), the first 'Final Destination' was entertaining and effective (especially with its terrific opening plane sequence and the creative deaths) with a fascinating idea done well.

The bigger and bolder 'Final Destination 2' had its flaws but was just as good and perhaps the best of the four sequels. 'Final Destination 3' is just as big and bold, as well as gorier, and is also as good. 'The Final Destination' was however a big disappointment, easily the series' worst and to me the only bad film in the series. After wearing off and becoming stale in 'The Final Destination', despite the more of the same structure, 'Final Destination 5' shows the novelty returning and being refreshed and refined. It's as good as the previous three and a huge improvement over 'The Final Destination'.

'Final Destination 5' isn't perfect. The down-time and exposition between the deaths is turgid and clumsily written, saying very little interesting.

Characters are as shallow as to be expected, the dialogue is just as flimsy and the effects look pretty cheap.

However, the opening bridge scene is spectacular and perhaps the best opening of the series. The ending is also the series' cleverest, the only truly shocking one and the least illogical and contrived. The story has more time to develop and while it uses the time it does it in a way that makes everything as tight as possible. Really enjoyed the interesting new plot rule that allows the tension and thrills to register strongly.

Standing out in particular are the deaths. They are very scary, very inventive in terms of being bold and elaborate and surprisingly witty. They are also quite gory, but not gratuitously so or in a way where it's overused and abused. The laser-eye surgery and acupuncture ones are especially well done.

Visually, 'Final Destination 5' is atmospheric and stylish. The music is suitably eerie and the direction shows a grasp and understanding of the genre and the ability to breathe life and freshness to a formula that should have been fatigued by now. In the acting stakes, it fares favourably too.

On the whole, good fun. 7/10 Bethany Cox