Final Destination 3 (2006)

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Final Destination Reviews

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I find it interesting how often I came across this title as the "best of the series" when I didn't see much difference in the balance of quality here from the first two films. Much like with 'FD2,' this is another one I like for different reasons and dislike for various reasons, but it all boils down to what I consider a perfectly passable horror movie. It's nothing incredibly special, especially as a third chapter in a series, but certainly as enjoyable as any 'Freddy' or 'Jason' flick. There's a twisted "fun" to them I can't deny.

Like so many horror series from the past, 'Final Destination' has become mainly about the opening premonition and the accident that follows. Like so many of my old favourite slasher flicks, it's also about how badass or terrifying the kills are. I've developed a bias for this series as a group of thrilling popcorn movies not meant to be taken seriously. This chapter is also more self-aware, considering some character stereotypes. In that respect, the film takes a step backwards, as 'FD2' had a more diverse group of would-be victims. Here, we have what I call "basic horror meat."

Wendy Christensen (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), her boyfriend, Jason Wise (Jesse Moss), her best friend, Carrie Dreyer (Gina Holden), and Carrie's boyfriend, Kevin Fischer (Ryan Merriman), all visit "Playland" amusement park with several other classmates as a graduation trip. This time, Wendy has a premonition about the "Devil's Flight" roller coaster they are about to ride. For me, this is the scariest of all the 'FD' incidents because what happens through it is precisely the reason (apart from a crippling fear of heights) that I don't ride roller coasters. All this movie did was legitimately nail that fear in my brain, so I must give it some "scare credit."

Wendy manages to get her warning out by panicking to let everyone off the ride, but some get refused as the ride needs to get going for the disappointed passengers who assume Wendy's on something. Sure enough, the accident happens, several people die, several more escape their fate, and the same basic plot of dodging death continues. But for as redundant as I make it all sound, and for as much as I say how "middle-ground" it feels, I can fully credit the film more than I can criticize it, and though I may not find it to be the "best" of the series, it's undoubtedly one of the "better."

Aside from crediting it for making me feel just as queasy as it sets out to with the roller coaster incident, there's a thing or two more to the film I thoroughly enjoy. For example, even though this brings in stereotypes, as I mentioned, it's easier to get in the mood of routing for their kills, and it feels a bit more like watching a 'Friday the 13th' chapter this time. So, it's hard to say what I think about that aspect. It's another case of me being okay with it, even liking it, but people will find it an old/stale concept and, therefore, give the film fewer points.

If the film has something that sticks out from the others thus far, it's the emotion projected by Winstead's compelling acting. Wendy was a character who truly made me feel her loss as people started dying. She takes it to a dramatic level that hasn't quite been a part of these movies yet. On top of it all, this ending is just plain awesome - fully illustrating what these movies are all about. It also marks James Wong's return to the series, which made it feel more like the first, and he doesn't complicate things in any way, simplifying things a bit more from 'FD2.'

Even if I don't think this is the best of the series, it's certainly up there, and I feel like I had a better time watching this one than the first two, even with critics often claiming this as "second-worst." The roller coaster accident is so much what made it hit me, though, as that's such a deep fear for me. Also, thus far, Winstead is who I'd consider the best lead actor in the series - she's very convincing and adds an element of horror with her panic to an already horrifying scene! So, call me "boring," call me a "wuss," but don't expect me to board a roller coaster with a group any time soon.

4/5

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