Death is a part of life. It’s the final destination. We’re all heading there. And since we fear what we don’t understand, someone thought, why not make death an actual villain? In a movie that is.
That was back in 2000. Now, 25 years and five movies later, we’re back with Final Destination: Bloodlines. Yes, we are talking about the franchise that changed how we look at tree-log lorries forever.
This sixth entry brings in a new lead who starts getting deadly visions passed down from someone else (this review is spoiler-free). That triggers a chain of events that ties back to something that happened in 1968. It’s directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, and it features Tony Todd in his final film appearance.
What worked
The opening scene is incredibly shot, from the cinematography to the tension to the set up. It perfectly sets the tone of the show and in a way, is the set-up for the whole franchise. It was beautifully performed, beautifully shot and tightly edited
First off, Bloodlines actually has a good, cohesive story. That’s not something I usually say about Final Destination movies, because we all go into these movies to see teenagers die horribly.
But here, the team clearly took the time to put something together that makes sense, and pays respect and carefully accommodates the previous movies
They also played around with the rules we all know by now: premonition, survival, and then death coming back around.
But they twist it just enough to keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. It still is Final Destination, but with minor adjustments that make it unique.
Now the deaths, the selling point of the franchise. These are some of the most creative ones the franchise has done yet, by which I mean that they are given better and deeper set ups.
But the signature brutal character deaths are still here. Some set ups are so absurd that they are almost funny, and that’s the point of these movies.
This is also the funniest Final Destination by far (in the writing), and it’s not by accident. The humour actually lands because the tone is set just right. It’s aware of how ridiculous the premise is, and the writers and director work with that to add a few very funny scenes. A standout for me is a young child in the opening scene.
Because of the good kills and the humour, that makes this film the kind of movie that’s better with a crowd, in a dark room with a big screen and sound design. Every reaction around me added to the experience. People were laughing, gasping, squirming, and holding their breath at the same time.
Tony Todd’s final appearance is handled with care. It’s not just a throw-in. It actually feels like a proper tribute, and fans of the series will appreciate it. If you’ve followed him from the beginning, it’ll hit a little harder.
The cast overall was good. A few new faces, but they understood the assignment. Richard Harmon especially stood out.
Nitpicks
Some of the CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) felt off, like the opening which is really good, especially when put next to the practical stunts.
And a couple of character choices felt written for the plot instead of true to the character. Nothing major, just stuff that stood out.
Final word
This is a proper crowd-pleaser. It’s fun, it’s sharp, and it brings something new to the table without losing what makes the series work. In a year full of good movies, this one earns its spot. Definitely worth seeing in a theatre.
