Final Destination (2000) (R)
Cast: Devon Sawa, Ali Larter, Kerr Smith, Kristen Cloke
Release Date: March 17, 2000
Runtime: 1 hr. 38 mins.
Genre: Fantasy, Horror
Alex Browning, is embarking on a trip to Paris with his high school French class. In the plane's cabin, buckled-in and ready for take-off, Alex experiences a powerful premonition. He sees the plane explode in a fiery blaze moments after leaving the ground. Alex panics and insists that everyone get off the plane. In the melee than ensues, seven people including Alex, are forced to disembark the ill-fated aircraft. Back in the departure lounge, Alex and his friends Billy and Tod; Clear a young woman who instinctively heeded Alex's warning; Carter, whose derision of Alex's paranoia had him and his girlfriend Terry thrown off the plane; and Ms. Lewton, the teacher who volunteers to stay with the disembarking students, all watch as Alex's horrific premonition proves tragically accurate when the plane explodes in a catastrophic fireball. Ironically, even though Alex's intuition saves lives, after the crash he is plagued by both guilt and suspicion. Ominous portents of doom as well as the FBI, dog his every step. Alex comes to believe that somehow, he and the other survivors have briefly cheated death, but will not be able to evade their fate for very long. Clear befriends Alex, but no one, not even she, really believes his macabre theory -- not even as one by one, these fugitives from fate fall victim to the grim reaper.
Review
This film ain't for the faint of heart.
Story
Alex Browning (Devon Sawa) steals a second chance from death when his strong premonition of doom leads him, four classmates and a teacher off a plane destined to explode on take-off. However, death doesn't wait long to strike again, and Alex must use his gift to warn survivors away from the morbid fate that stalks them. Intrigued? You should be. "Final Destination" is unusually compelling, intelligent and just downright scary. Writer Jeffrey Reddick thrills and chills his audience by avoiding the predictable fright scenes. Even the most sophisticated of horror flick enthusiasts will be startled by at least three unexpected and frightening moments.
Acting
While there's nothing remarkable about the performances of Sawa, Ali Larter, Kerr Smith and Kristen Cloke, at least they don't detract from the compelling storyline. The script is so powerful, probably any rookie actor could have pulled it off.
Direction
This wonderfully chilling theatrical debut for award-winning television veterans, Glen Morgan and James Wong, successfully combines tension and anticipation with startling visuals and many unexpected turns.
Bottom Line
If "Scream" didn't make you scream and you slept through "A Nightmare on Elm Street," don't give up yet -- "Final Destination" is one of the best horror flicks to come around in a while.
Synopsis
Alex Browning, is embarking on a trip to Paris with his high school French class. In the plane's cabin, buckled-in and ready for take-off, Alex experiences a powerful premonition. He sees the plane explode in a fiery blaze moments after leaving the ground. Alex panics and insists that everyone get off the plane. In the melee than ensues, seven people including Alex, are forced to disembark the ill-fated aircraft. Back in the departure lounge, Alex and his friends Billy and Tod; Clear a young woman who instinctively heeded Alex's warning; Carter, whose derision of Alex's paranoia had him and his girlfriend Terry thrown off the plane; and Ms. Lewton, the teacher who volunteers to stay with the disembarking students, all watch as Alex's horrific premonition proves tragically accurate when the plane explodes in a catastrophic fireball. Ironically, even though Alex's intuition saves lives, after the crash he is plagued by both guilt and suspicion. Ominous portents of doom as well as the FBI, dog his every step. Alex comes to believe that somehow, he and the other survivors have briefly cheated death, but will not be able to evade their fate for very long. Clear befriends Alex, but no one, not even she, really believes his macabre theory -- not even as one by one, these fugitives from fate fall victim to the grim reaper.