Reviewed by: Brian C. Johnson
CONTRIBUTOR
Death in the Bible
Is there an actual place called “Hell”? Answer
Why was Hell made? Answer
Is there anyone in Hell today? Answer
Will there literally be a burning fire in Hell? Answer
What should you be willing to do to stay out of Hell? Answer
How can a God of love send anybody to Hell? Answer
What if I don’t believe in Hell? Answer
THE GOOD NEWS—How to be saved from Hell. Answer
Are you good enough to get to Heaven? Answer
How good is good enough? Answer
VIOLENCE—How does viewing violence in movies affect families? Answer
Every time you buy a movie ticket or rent a video you are casting a vote telling Hollywood “That’s what I want.” Why does Hollywood continue to promote immoral programming? Are YOU part of the problem? Answer
Featuring: | Bobby Campo, Shantel VanSanten, Nick Zano, Haley Webb, Mykelti Williamson, Krista Allen, Andrew Fiscella, Justin Welborn, Stephanie Honore, Lara Grice, Jackson Walker, Phil Austin, William Aguillard, Brendan Aguillard, Juan Kincaid, Monique Detraz, Chris Fry, Tina Parker, Cecile Monteyne, Stacey Dizon, Dane Rhodes, Gabrielle Chapin, Harold X. Evans, Camille E. III Bourgeois, Curtis E. Akin, Eric Paulsen, Belford Carver, Dennis Nguyen, Jedda Jones, Joseph T. Ridolfo, Chris Langlois, Trey Burvant, Larry E. Lundy Jr., Courtney James, Jenna Craig, Rolexis Delaney, Marc A. Hess, Laurie Lee, Jennie Parrish, Preston Strother |
Director: | David R. Ellis “Cellular,” “Snakes on a Plane” |
Producer: | FlipZide Pictures, New Line Cinema, Practical Pictures, Richard Brener, Tawny Ellis, Walter Hamada, Sheila Hanahan, Craig Perry, Warren Zide |
Distributor: | New Line Cinema |
“Rest in pieces”
Ahhh…finally, “THE Final Destination”! In 2000, director James Wong brought to life an interesting concept about the timing of death. In the original “Final Destination,” a young man has a premonition that the plane he and his schoolmates are boarding will ultimately explode. He and several others are ejected from the plane, which saves his life, as the vision became a reality. They would soon learn that Death has a plan, and each of the survivors dies in the order they would have if they had remained on the plane. Such is the case in “Final Destination 2,” except the setting is a crash on the highway, and the carnage continues in “Final Destination 3,” when the students are saved from a roller coaster crash at an amusement park. Director David Ellis (who also directed the second installment) concludes the series with the action resulting from a deadly car race.
The cast of “The Final Destination” includes relatively unknown actors, except for Mykelti Williamson (“Forrest Gump,” “August Rush,” “ATL”) who plays George Lanter, a racetrack security guard who is on Death’s most wanted list. The lack of seasoning and experience shows; the acting is mediocre, at best. Bobby Campo stars as Nick O’Bannon, the young man who prophetically predicts the car crash, and Shantel VanSanten who plays Nick’s girlfriend, Lori. Nick not only divines the car crash, but is quick to learn that he can see elements of the circumstances or causes of the others’ deaths; he and Lori work to save the day (which includes staving off their own demise).
Fans of the series will find the usual fare—a premonition of doom, a few people escape—at least temporarily—and through a series of random and unexplainable events, the survivors do not survive. Fans of the series will more than likely find this to also be the film’s downfall—the film follows the original (and subsequent) storyline to the letter—no risks, no turns. The thrill is definitely gone from this thriller, except for the addition of Real 3-D technology. This film was made for 3D; the ghastly randomness of the death sequences is heightened by the coolness of cinematography.
Most Christian audiences will find this film objectionable; it is incredibly violent and gory, there is some bad language, and one nude sex scene which was absolutely unnecessary to the overall film (come on Hollywood!). Those willing to deconstruct a film in this genre may be open to a discussion on being ready when death comes a-knockin’, but sadly, there is little else.
Violence: Extreme / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: Moderate
VIOLENCE—How does viewing violence in movies affect families? Answer
Are you going to Heaven? Are you SURE you know the answer this extremely important question? Or have you made some common wrong assumptions? Find out now!…
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
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