A trip that's still worth taking. 9/10

Rating: 9/10 (18 September 2003)

In a number of ways, the sequel to 2000's surprise hit is a better-made, not necessarily better film than the first one. It takes the ideas from the first film and builds on them. While the first movie actually scared you, this one is more in it for shock value. Yet that doesn't make it bad because you admire the craft that's gone into it.
"Final Destination 2" is unique amongst horror films in being that it has a unique villain (or hero?)  Death. The movies are philosophical in being that they ask an ages old question: Is there any way to beat death? Of course there is no way to beat death but according to the movies, if you recognize the signs or patterns that Death is willing to show you, it can be beaten. The real truth is that Death has a really sadistic sense of humor in that it likes to toy with its victims before finally taking them. It likes to trick its victims into thinking that it can be beaten, but the truth is that in the end, no one escapes Death; the only thing you can do really is delay it. I think the "Final Destination" films are not really horror movies, but really dark satires that show how people react under extreme distress.
"FD2" is also unique in its portrayal of the characters. In my opinion, Death is not the villain, but it's the characters themselves. The characters go to these absurd lengths to try to cheat Death, knowing that they can't. They and Death go to extreme lengths to outwit one another, but Death always comes out on top. The people need to just learn you can't cheat Death, because when your number's up, it's up.