Final Destination 3
Director: James Wong
Writer: Glen Morgan, James Wong
Sequel to: Final Destination, Final Destination 2
Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ryan Merriman, Kris Lemche, Alexz Johnson, Sam Easton, Jesse Moss, Gina Holden, Texas Battle, Chelan Simmons, Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe, Amanda Crew, Tony Todd
Seen on: 17.9.2024

Content Note: misogyny

Plot:
It was supposed to be a fun evening at the high school senior fair, but then Wendy (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) has a vision of a fatal rollercoaster accident that kills her and all the other teenagers on it – just as she is getting on the rollercoaster. Her resulting panic attack prompts her and a few others to be booted off the ride. That means when it really does crash, they are safe. But not for long as the survivors start dying in strange accidents.

Final Destination continues the descent in quality from the first to the second film, with Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s performance really being the only thing about the film that is above average.

If you need an example of what a good actor can do in a bad film and with a weak role, look no further: Winstead really delivers a masterclass on this here. But other than that and a wish for completionism, there are really no reasons to actually watch this film.

The film introduces a new gimmick here with Wendy’s photos that predict the manner of deaths of the survivors and it is a gimmick that didn’t work for me at all. I would have preferred it if the film had stuck to the established rules instead of introducing new ones. Generally, the film should have focused a little more on building tension than the creative ways of dying and the gore. That being said, some of the gory moments were very well done.

I was completely irritated by the film’s revelling in outright misogyny with Ashley and Ashley (Chelan Simmons, Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe). Even though they are nothing but kind to Wendy, I got the distinct feeling that we are supposed to hate them for their comically exaggerated vapidness and the fact that they are “girly girls”. And the way they die in the sunbank is particularly cruel, but shown with glee.

This really left a bad taste in my mouth and further lowered my overall opinion of the movie (not that it was doing too well anyway). I fear that it is all downhill from here on out. In fact, it has been downhill since the first film.

Summarizing: meh.