I forgot to mention that.

In the theater, I was like, "wow."

I loved the second one and I think it is one of the best directed films I have ever seen. Having said that, I enjoyed the third one quite a bit. I would rank it behind the second and the original, but it is still a very solid entry into the series.

B+

Loved the first two, kinda mixed on this one...

The photo gimmick didn't work for me. I didn't like having clues to the deaths. The best thing about the deaths in the first two films was that there were so many red herrings beforehand. It was impossible to see where they were going to go. In this one, they were given clues... it kinda took the tension and some of the surprise out of the deaths.

The other thing I didn't like was the character segregation. The first and second had the kids teaming up to try and beat death. This one had two kids encountering each victim one by one, trying (and failing) to convince them death was after them before watching them die.

On the other hand, the deaths were all gorily satisfying, the roller coaster sequence was excellent, the ending left me guessing (in a good way) and ultimately I'm hungry for more. I just hope they leave the poxy photo gimmick out of the next installment.

B-

saw it tonight. it was pretty good. had some pretty good kills. the tanning bed and fan deaths were the best. the opening roller coaster scene was rather lame though. the blatant product placement in this movie almost made me puke though. "i forgot my iPod" "if you come to my funeral, bring me a PSP or something" blecch!

B

You summed up my thoughts perfectly. B-

Third time is a charm, and that rule definitely applies to this third entry in the Final Destination trilogy. The only flaw I found was the rollercoaster scene. I found it very weak, and it wasn't nearly up to par with the incredible highway pile up in the sequel. Everything was too fast, and you could barely make out what was going on. Other than that I enjoyed everything else the film had to offer. The acting was decent, especially from the lead female. The deaths were very creative too. I especially loved the brutality of the tanning bed scene. The gore factor was definitely apparent in this film. It didn't hold anything back. The conclusion was good, but could of been better. I liked the premonition on the train. I also know some people didn't like the clues in the photographs, but I actually thought it was a cool concept. This is my favorite of the three. I loved the other two, but the tanning bed scene is enough to make this film my favorite of the three.

B+

A-


Now THAT was a fun ride. I haven't had so much pure fun at the theatre in a year or so. The audience I saw it with was fully into it as well. The film got applause about 6-7 times throughout (pretty kuch at every single death scene). Speaking of the death scenes, they were ingenious as always. Way better than in the first film and pretty much on par with the second. The movie didn't have the original's suspense and the first sequel's macabre humor, but it had a balanced mix of the two and that worked well. The phote gimmick with the photos was the only thing I didn't like about it, but other than it, it was an all-out blast. The rollercoaster crash was breathtaking and probably the best "initial crash" of all FD films. Final Destination is certainly one of my Top 5 horror franchises of all time. Bring on the fourth movie!

Nothing too special. Not horrible, but kind of dumb. The opening seemed like a PG version of the first two films. Nothing much happening and overall disappointing. Not something I would really watch again. Fine for a one time viewing.

C

Well it was good fun, but the roller coaster scene sucked pretty bad, it doesn't beat the car pileup from the first sequel, which I think is one of the best crash scenes of all time . Not better than the First but a nice improvement from the second one

B

It stands as the most *fun* horror series ever to me.

B-

Where Final Destination 2 strived for a perhaps too complex and confusing storyline, Final Destination 3 took a step back and made things just a little too simple and basic. Unlike the second, where there was the complications and advancements in the plot like the ripple effect and death covering it's tracks, as well as the twist flashbacks and returning characters, this film is mostly the 2 leads finding the teenagers one by one and trying to stop them from dieing, nothing more. There also weren't as many characters this time around, and the fun of the skipping and intervening plotpoints was mostly taken out. Compared to what happened in the first 2 movies, the whole thing just felt a bit weak.

The movie also moved slightly slow, and despite it's simple nature it still had holes. The picture clue for the lead dieing is Ian, she's talking to him when the fireball is supposed to hit her. But Ian was supposed to be dead by that time due to death's order, so how does that work? Also, death just stops stalking the 3 remaining survivors for 5 months after the original events, for no apparent reason? And what was the deal with the flashback at the end, what was the point if she's gonna die anyways?

The acting in the movie is decent, and better than in the second, that I can give it. The leads are more likable, and you buy their friendship. Also, the style and the direction feels a lot less trashy, the movie feels a lot smoother.

The biggest redeeming factor about the movie is the kills and gore of course, and the fact that it is an enjoyable movie. My favorite was the weight machine smash, but the tanning bed, nailgun, fan, and spear through the asian were excellent and awesome as well. So overall it's the weakest of the 3 films, but still enjoyable I suppose.

My Full Review:


Deciphering Death's Design

Death returns with a vengeance to stalk another group of teens in 'Final Destination 3,' starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead (The upcoming remake of 'Black Christmas', also directed by James Wong) and Ryan Merriman ('The Ring 2').

Following the format that has served the franchise well thus far, the film begins with a teen (Winstead) having a premonition of an accident about to occur (a roller-coaster literally flying off the tracks) and coaxing her friends to get off right before said accident occurs. The group is saved but some not for long as her premonition and subsequent actions have put a kink in Death's design. They were supposed to die on the roller-coaster and now Death has to finish the job. Shortly, the teens begin dying in a series of increasingly elaborate "accidents", ranging from becoming a human roasted marshmallow to crushed mincemeat, among other delicacies.

Let me get this out of the way right away: 'Final Destination 3' is pretty much only going to be enjoyed by fans of the first two films. Not only does it make repeated references to prior events, it gives fans what they expect but doesn't offer anything new for those not already willing to accept a premise that gets more outlandish every entry.

The film strains its already thin credibility here with the introduction of Death's plan and links to 9/11. In essence, there exist clues in pictures of the World Trade Center that it was going to be rammed into by planes hijacked by evil, heartless terrorists. The introduction of pictures with clues as to the future destiny of the characters at first provides a new twist with which filmmakers can play with but really nothing too pertinent or interesting ever becomes of the idea. It is introduced and given cursory discussion before being pretty much dropped as the film speeds through death after death. On top of that, it isn't even a new idea as films as far back as 'The Omen' (look for the remake, June 2006) have utilized the same basic idea. Other than this development, the film fails to bring anything new into the mythology surrounding the idea of destiny and Death's design.

It is also worth noting that the opening accident that propels the film forward is far less exciting than the brilliantly conceived and constructed pile-up that set the stage in part two. It even pales in comparison to the plane crash in the original as a result of what was likely necessary special effects that far too often look like just what they are: computer-generated images that fail to cohesively blend into the real world environment. The film also contains cliched character types with the football-playing jock, the two conceited and dumb as rocks cheerleaders, and the introverted Goth with psychotic tendencies, all played without an ounce of subtlety or discernible talent by a cast of unknowns who are sure to remain that way. The script doesn't help matters as it is mostly devoid of the cheeky dark humor that made the second worth seeing.

In spite of all this, the film still manages to be entertaining for those who know what they're getting themselves into. After the opening accident, the creativity and staging of the deaths is well-done and appropriately gory, playing on common phobias, themes, and locations in today's society. In fact, if it is gore you're looking for, this film is by far the goriest of the three films, sometimes brutal in the way Death deals with the unfortunate. The film also benefits from the best acting of the series thus far from its two leads. Both Merriman and Winstead create endearing and likable personalities without ever crossing over into cloying weepiness or annoying territory. Winstead gives the best performance of the three films thus far with her ability to alternate between dark and light moments, showing more screen presence and intelligence than A.J. Cook and Devon Sawa put forth in the two prior films.

'Final Destination 3' has its fair share of flaws but is still worth seeing for fans of a series unlikely to end anytime soon as long as writers keep thinking up ways in which to kill people and audiences keep going to see the fruits of their labor (This film opened with 19 million during its first weekend in release on a budget of 25 million).

Also, for anyone that bought the DVD the doc. special feature titled "Dead Teenager Movie" is fantastic. New Line continues to impress with the special features on their films, especially their horror films.

How is this whole feature of "choosing the fate of the characters" and making your "own" storyline?

The "Choose the fate of the characters" feature is awesome. You get to see some interesting stuff...

For example, if you save Frankie Cheeks (pervert with the camera), later in the film, he'll get arrested for impersonating a slut. It'll ask you whether it was worth it to save Frankie, and if you click "Yes," it'll bring up like a five minute clip of things he shot in his video camera and how perverted he is. Then, it'll ask you again if you really think it was worth it to save Frankie.

I like the nudity in the film.

I haven't checked that out as of yet. I'm looking forward to it though

its pretty average, but what really draged it down for me was the Dialoge, its absolutely putrid, (its even worse than the Covenants) and makes the film almost painful to watch.

D-

3/10 -> D-

Final Collapse would be a much better title. The opening disaster is disastrous. The mythology of the series takes like 100 steps backwards (the pictures with hints of how they're going to die - it doesn't get much lamer than that). Though some death are quite interesting and fun they don't make good movies.

And one thing I was bothered the most - the lead is awful. I understand there's like a popular opinion that female lead horror tend to do better, but for every Jamie or Neve there's like a million of lousy and pathetic leads. They needed to stick with male leads in this series. Or at least find dead bitches that can act.

Oh and the ending was cringe worthy. Possibly the lamest cop-out ending ever.

Even though the quality of FD2 and FD3 aren't anywhere near the original I still find enjoyment in watching this series for some reason. They just seem to stay very creative in how the deaths occur and the flashback opening sequence has been very well executed each time and the acting that does take place isn't so bad that it turns one off from the film either. It's just good enough to keep you going. I really wish they would keep churning out this series because I'm finding them more interesting than the Saw series atm.

A

The best of the series, and the tanning table deaths will never be matched in awesomeness.

Somewhat of a return to form for the franchise; it's more fun than the dour and depressing second one, has a nasty sense of humour, and features some rather inventive deaths. James Wong > David R. Ellis fo sho.