FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES (2025)

Directed By: Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein

Written By: Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor 

Story By: Jon Watts, Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor 

Cinematography: Christian Sebeldt

Editor: Sabrina Pitre

Cast: Brec Bassinger, Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Ryan Kihlstedt, Richard Harmon, Owen Patrick Joyner, Anna Lore, Alex Zahara, April Amber Jack, Teo Briones, Tony Todd 

Plagued by a recurring violent nightmare, a college student returns home to find the one person who can break the cycle and save her family from the horrific fate that inevitably awaits them.

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This film franchise makes a welcome return in a rebooted film that tries to add to the lore, as well as give fans what they have come to expect an unexpected gory death

As this film, obviously knows it’s audience and was made by people who grew up, loving the films, and you can tell and how much energy, passion and power they put into the film that while following the basic necessities of the franchise manages to stand out and feels a little bit, not only better made but also The quality comes across as better

One of the problems some might have with these films is that their generally made for audiences to cheer for the death, which feels kind of a, but the films usually try to keep the audience on their toes by not always going with the most obvious way of death, but try to spring either a surprise or try to make it a little bit comedic and bad taste by having us focus one way when really the violence is coming from another place, we weren’t even looking

Another reason this film is more memorable is that it is the last role in appearance for the late Tony Todd, who has always in someway been a part of this franchise as well as being an all-around character actor with over 100 credits. This is his final appearance and you can tell Watching this film by the looks of him that he was definitely sick when making this film and the film is dedicated to and it is a good role to go out on even despite the material.

The film gives the audience what it wants, and while doing that, it tries to fit in an original story, whereas instead of a randomly seeming to kill off survivors of a big accident, this film has death going after the bloodlines of characters who avoided death, even though we still get to see the goriness of what was originally supposed to happen or the massacre is more The word definition

Throughout this film, we see the decimation of one particular family, even as they try to escape death as luckily one member of the family gets the premonitions or visions of death or clues to a death before they happen. So that the film is still staying true to the rules of the earlier canon final destination movies, but allowing itself a little originality and a side step from them.

This film is more for the fans of the series, though it’s not a bad place to start if you haven’t seen any of the previous films, but will warn you. It’s more for the go fanatics who are looking for inventive death scenes, and a lot of jump scares. Which seems to be this film is Brad and butter.

Although the film makers also manage to create a lot of tension even when you know what is going to happen so that you anticipated and you want the characters to survive as they are likable, but you know that’s not possible but you want it also at times to get it over with as it’s just growing and growing But the other half of you is kind of hoping that they survive either way you just want that tension to be released and when it finally is, they managed to make it in the most splatter way that shocks but then also can’t amaze at times. 

Sure, one could easily get into the characters and story more of this film, but let’s face it. That’s not why most people are going to watch this film as truly the film could offer anything. People are here more for what they know about the film. as we are barely introduced to the characters before they start to perish. Sonthat we only know little details about them to really define their character or at least their traits.

The only disappointing aspect of this franchise is that knowing that all of the characters are doomed, and there’s a somewhat cynical air that floats above the film that will ultimately always end in tragedy. Though once you get past that. Especially as this film is on its sixth film. You just get used to the pattern if you’re going to continue to watch these films.

 it offers more than the usual though it has fun playing with the confines of itself

Grade: B –

FINAL DESTINATION 2 (2003)

Directed By: David R. Ellis 
Written & Screen story By: J. Mackye Gruber & Eric Bress
Based On the Original Story & Characters Created by: Jeffrey Reddick
Cinematography: Gary Capo
Editor: Eric Sears

Cast: A.J. Cook, Ali Larter, Michael Landes, David Paetkau, James Kirk, Lynda Boyd, Keegan Connor Tracy, T.C. Carson, Justina Machado, Tony Todd, Sarah Carter, Jonathan Cherry, Shaun Sipos, Noel Fisher 

Kimberly has a premonition of an accident killing multiple people including her and her friends. She blocks the cars behind her on the ramp and as a police trooper arrives, the accident happens. Death is stalking this group of survivors.


This film is faster, but not necessarily better. This sequel is a bit more ridiculous with a bit more humor about itself. It also feels more expensive than the previous film. Losing that kind of intimacy of a lower budget and fewer characters.

As it follows the same formula as the first film but moves faster. Leaves more survivors/victims and feels more like a product off the assembly line than an individual film. It feels like an individual entry only because here it feels a little more experimental as the stud and filmmakers are trying to set the right tone and rules for the future of this franchise. 

The film has a real moment that gives the film some kind of heart. Then it quickly grows uncomfortable with that and goes back to being cynical.

Though it manages to be shockingly sad and dramatic in moments. As well as building up plenty of suspense.

Especially after an older female character loses her teenage son. Then has a cruel death afterward. While she is still emotionally raw and in mourning. It’s the film’s one strong dramatic moment. It Shows this film won’t play favorites and feels like it might be picking on her checker just a little more. 

The film brings back the one survivor of the original film to pass on the information and try to stop what is happening to them once and for all, but she is quickly dispatched. At least she lets us know what happened to the original protagonist who for all the inventive deaths the film has to offer seems rather simple and weak.

It feels more cynical as it stays within the formula but seems to know its audience as the kills here seem not only aggressive but more energetic and full Of adrenaline. Like an action sequence but more for the audience to cheer for. Though at least it plays with it more. Not always instant gratification, but making it more thrilling so we think we know when death will come but then escaping the last minute to end up dying in a way we never quite saw coming but was set up. 

Obviously was more driven by the shock deaths of the original. Though here it ends up being a bit more playful 

The highway scene is an amazing stunt extravaganza.

This is the film where you notice or the producers notice more the audience and come for the creativity of the kills. Not to mention the shock cuts they try to instill while giving you clues as to who’s next. 

The little push at the end then shows the film’s Sense Of cruel humor. As these films continuously want you to care and try to play up the sorrows of the characters. While wanting you To root for their deaths or root to see the way in which they will die. 

The film lacks a slasher so there is no face to the villain. It is more circumstance as we mostly see what they are cooking up to lead to the next death. Though at times try to pull a last-minute surprise on the audience.

So they feel engaged and like the film is actively playing with them.

The film does offer other brilliant scenes in which one of the survivors keeps trying to escape and survive an apartment fire that seems like a booby-trapped with each attempt. That humor comes with the over-the-top nature of ridiculous overkill attempts and ends.

Strangely for all the thrills this film gives off. The leads are some of the most forgettable parts of the movie. In fact, that has become the franchise’s major weakness. Even though the supporting characters are usually memorable. Maybe that is why they become the victims and the leads seem to make it to the end. The blander the safer, as they have a hero complex. 

Grade: B-

HELL FEST (2018)

hellfest

Directed By: Gregory Plotkin
Written By: Seth M. Sherwood, Blair Butler & Akela Cooper
Story: Chris Sey & William Penick
Cinematography: Jose David Montero
Editor: David Egan & Gregory Plotkin 


Cast: Amy Forsyth, Tony Todd, Cynthia Mercado, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Reign Edwards, Christian James, Matt Mercurio, Roby Attal 


A masked serial killer turns a horror-themed amusement park into his own personal playground, terrorizing a group of friends while the rest of the patrons believe that it is all part of the show.

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