Final Destination: Bloodlines

Final Destination: Bloodlines isn't going to pull a rabbit out of its undead hat, reinvent the horror wheel, or stake its claim as a genre-defining masterstroke-but that's not the point.

What it does do is breathe new life into a franchise that felt like it had run out of steam. Bloodlines is a solid sixth installment, packing the same patented "inevitable death" mechanics we know and (occasionally) love, but with enough fresh twists to keep die-hard fans from checking out.

If you never warmed to the idea of "death's design" calling the shots, this won't convert you. For everyone else, the film delivers brilliantly choreographed set pieces of grisly demise-think elaborate Rube Goldberg traps drenched in splatter FX-that hit the sweet spot between macabre creativity and good old-fashioned gore.

The biggest upgrade this time around is emotional buy-in: the victims aren't a bunch of arbitrary strangers thrown together by fate. Instead, Bloodlines builds sincere rapport with its core ensemble, giving each death a bit more narrative weight (and, yes, a smidge of pathos) before the inevitable payoff.

Unfortunately, the dialogue remains as thin as ever-flat exposition one moment, telenovela melodrama the next-reminding you that subtlety wasn't high on the call sheet.

On the plus side, the movie leavens the carnage with genuinely funny, ironically staged moments-many courtesy of Erik, whose over-the-top flair steals scenes from our so-called protagonist-and the delightfully absurd chain reactions (who knew the garbage truck could be such a menace?).

Even though the film trudges into its predictable finale with all the subtlety of a wrecking ball, Bloodlines is pure adrenaline: brutal, energetic, and darkly comedic. In other words, exactly what you paid for when you bought that Final Destination ticket.

It's crazy to me to think that the last time a 'Final Destination' movie came out I was a young 20 year old man full of hopes and dreams. And the title of the fourth film in the series, 'The Final Destination', implied it would be the final instalment of the series back in 2009, however anyone familiar with modern Hollywood probably knew that was unlikely to remain the case - and it lasted 2 years.

When you make an instalment 14 years after the last, there's probably a sense that you have to do something a little different in order to justify it. And this film does mix the formula up - slightly. Just enough that it feels a little different, but not enough that it really alters the formula we have come to know and love.

The opening scene in this movie was really good. It was lengthy, fairly creative and had some great individual kills in the mix. From there thing go into a lull for a while, allowing the story to set itself up. Then the film goes bananas the rest of the way and we are treated to brilliant kill scene after brilliant kill scene. There are some really good ones in this film.

One thing that was a problem here - and something that has plagued the series in almost every film - is that it is riddled with unlikable characters. I can only think that's being done intentionally at this point to make people feel disposable and like no one is safe, but I can't help but feel the films would be slightly more impactful if the characters were a bit more likable overall.

All in all though I would say 'Final Destination: Bloodlines' was a lot better than it had any right to be 25 years after the original. 8/10.

If you are going into this movie just to have a good time and turn your brain off then you'll enjoy this film. However, as someone who became obsessed with the Final Destination franchise nearly 2 decades ago after watching the choose your own fate edition of Final Destination 3 with the tanning bed scene permanently seared into my brain, I'm a bit more harsh.

Cons:

• The CGI blood and kills. Nothing takes me out of a scene more than dark red cartoon blood. With a film that is built PRIMARILY on deaths it should be quite limited on the usage of CGI. We've seen great use of practical effects which is why this feels like such wasted potential. The biggest reason these movies work is because no matter how ridiculous the set up is the death still feels real (4th sequel excluded). It doesn't have the same effect if the person dying sudden looks like an animated character.

• This might be the most useless protagonist since the 4th installment. The main character might be the blandest character in the whole movie, and she has some tough competition because only 3 people stand out in this movie. I can forgive throw away characters if the deaths are memorable but both are lacking here.

• There have been rumors that there were reshoots and I believe them because the final act has some pacing issues and ends somewhat abruptly.

Pros:

• I will say that this film had the 2nd best opening scene/disaster behind the pile up.

• Tony Todd's goodbye was moving and possibly the best dialogue he has given in the franchise.

• The hospital death scene involving an MRI machine has a great build up of suspense and emotion and is up there with other iconic final destination death scenes.

• While there is more cons then pros for me I still had a good time and still fun to see in theaters. While some FD sequels miss the mark there is always another sequel that can surpass it. Can't wait for the next sequels!!

Final Destination: Bloodlines is a great time. It does the smart thing and goes for a more comedic approach than earlier entries in the series.

Bloodlines contains possibly the best opening of the franchise and the first 20 minutes are a treat. The effects, while not amazing, do the job and are particularly gory even for this series.

The movie works well bringing a new twist on the Final Destination formula and the family are all likable enough in their own ways.

It would be remiss of me not to mention a standout in Richard Harmon. I spend a good portion of his time on screen trying to calculate if Tom Green could have fathered him as he is his dead ringer in this (amazingly both canadian as well). It was obvious they were going for a Tom Green type of character.

Tony Todd shows up for the last time as the mortician and it's a great emotional and poetic send off for him as well as giving his character an interesting backstory.

The movie has some nice little easter eggs for fans of the series with some call backs to previous entries as well as harking back to some of the premonitions.

The Final Destination franchise has always been interesting to me but never quite delivered a quality movie. This is perhaps the closest it has came to that by just being a good time and not getting bogged down in the lore.

One of the best of the franchise in my opinion.

Humor, yes, dark humor, mixed with very nice CGI and well, not so predictable ending.

We made a game, watching and predicting/betting who's gonna die next and how.

Very entertaining.

Screenplay good, acting very decent.

Solid 7 in my opinion.

Was worth waiting.

Was worth watching.