(Photo by WB/ Courtesy Everett Collection. FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES.)
Just when you thought it was safe to hop back in the tanning bed, or drive behind an overloaded construction truck, or juggle revved-up flaming chainsaws, here comes the movie series to stomp and shred life’s big plans.
The Final Destination movies originally put a supernatural spin on ’90s teen horror, with the first FD releasing in 2000, its premise promising grisly premonitions and fates foretold, as we witness the invisible hand of death slowly (yet, oh so surely) crush victims in increasingly outlandish set pieces and disasters. The films released to a steady beat during the 2000s, with 5 in 2011, before the series fled in the face of the elevated and indie horror that would define the 2010s.
And it seems death taking an extended holiday has done it some some good. Black cloak dry-cleaned, scythe sharpened, and skeletal pores rejuvenated, grim reapin’ is back on the menu 14 years after the fifth movie, as the series resurrects with Final Destination: Bloodlines. It draws the strongest critical reception of the franchise.
Will death finally be satisfied? Sources say: “Are you kidding? Maybe it’s time to bring back Wishmaster.”
#1
Critics Consensus: Adding some surprising emotional layers onto the ghoulish bones of Final Destination‘s mythology, Bloodlines ingeniously executes grisly set pieces with precision and turns impending doom into outrageous fun.
#2
Critics Consensus: It’s still only for the gore-thirsty faithful, but Final Destination 5 represents a surprising return to form for the franchise.
#3
Critics Consensus: Final Destination 2 is little more than an excuse to stage elaborate, gory scenes of characters getting killed off.
#4
Critics Consensus: Final Destination 3 is more of the same: gory and pointless, with nowhere new to go.
#5
Critics Consensus: Despite a panel of X-Files’ alums at the helm and a promising premise, flighty performances and poor execution keep Final Destination from ever taking off.
#6
Critics Consensus: With little of the ingenuity of previous installments, The Final Destination is predictable, disposable horror fare.
