The Final Destination (2009)

the final destination 4 poster 2009 movie
3.5 Overall Score
Story: 3/10
Acting: 3/10
Visuals: 5/10

Deaths are still the highlights

Bad story, acting, and deaths are losing their punch

Movie Info

Movie Name:  The Final Destination

Studio:  Zide/Perry Productions

Genre(s):  Horror

Release Date(s):  August 28, 2009

MPAA Rating:  R

final-destination-4-accident-race-track-nascar

The accident!

Nick O’Bannon (Bobby Campo) has a vision during the NASCAR race which shows a horrible wreck which kills multiple spectators.  Getting his friends and a number of other people to safety, Nick finds that Death is still coming for the survivors.  As Nick tries to remember his vision to determine the death’s orders, the survivors find themselves picked off one-by-one in gruesome ways that are relentless and unstoppable.  Time is running out for Nick and his friends because no one can cheat Death!

final-destination-4-race-track-accident-dead-body

Not a good day at the races…

Directed by David R. Ellis, The Final Destination is actually the fourth film in the Final Destination film series and followed Final Destination 3 in 2006.  The 3D movie was generally met with negative reviews, but a big box office return.

I don’t like 3D movies and The Final Destination is a good example of why.  Any story developed by this film is negated by attempts for attempts at bigger and better effects.  While the Final Destination series has never been known for its plots, The Final Destination’s plot is paper thin.

final-destination-4-pool-drain-death

Faster than liposuction

The story for the movie is weak because it is repetitive of the other film.  Other than multiple nods throughout the movie, the film doesn’t have any real ties to the first three films.  The story doesn’t lead to any surprises, and like all the other films, there isn’t any hope for the characters to avoid death…you just have to wait to see how they’ll die.  This is not a good plot for a film.

The series once again has a young “hip” cast of forgettable actors.  With a weak plot, it might have been beneficial to try to bring in a name to boost the film’s star power.  The only problem is, with a name is that they have to stay alive or being willing to be killed in a crazy way…something that not every actor would agree to.

final-destination-4-movie-theater-explosion

The 3D comes right off the screen!

Final Destination is one of those series that you watch for the deaths and unfortunately, many of the deaths in this entry aren’t up to the level of the first films.  There are some creative deaths like the pool scene, and I like the set up for the carwash, but for the most part, the deaths just aren’t as fun.  Plus, with the 3D, you always have a lot of unnecessary stuff flying at the screen.

Final Destination had some decent moments throughout the series, but by this point the series seems repetitive and unoriginal.  You know that Death cannot be stopped and you know that regardless what they do, all the characters are going to die.  It seems rather pointless and unnecessary to watch.  The Final Destination was followed by Final Destination 5 in 2011.

Related Links:

Final Destination (2000)

Final Destination 2 (2003)

Final Destination 3 (2006)

Final Destination 5 (2011)

Author: JPRoscoe View all posts by
Follow me on Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd @JPRoscoe76! Loves all things pop-culture especially if it has a bit of a counter-culture twist. Plays video games (basically from the start when a neighbor brought home an Atari 2600), comic loving (for almost 30 years), and a true critic of movies. Enjoys the art house but also isn't afraid to let in one or two popular movies at the same time.

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