(5/10) Excellent concept let down by poor execution

Rating: 5/10 (7 July 2000)

Every once in a while a film gets made that is really bad  but that is, for some reason, enjoyable at the same time. Final Destination falls into this category, as a film that works with an excellent concept, the potential of which is, sadly, unfulfilled.
The film is standard teen horror fare with a twist  the villain is no psycho waiting round the bend, but Death itself and the group of seven must try to find ways to cheat this supernatural power in order to stay alive. The key to solving the mystery is Alex (Devon Sawa)  who has the visions that allow him to save his friends, or ultimately condemn them to the life hereafter.
The fault of this film lies with the sloppy writing and the indifferent direction of the piece. The dialogue is self-indulgent and immature and the level of characterization is poor, with no attempts at development or even a full depiction of the static characters which are presented here. The vision which lies at the heart of the story remains there  it does not surface for the viewer to see; we do not actually care about the characters whose lives we touch by watching the film.
Of course, even the most skilled actors would struggle to perform such poorly written roles as the ones encountered in this screenplay. Devon Sawa, who has lost his boyhood looks, does not have the presence to carry this film  or probably any other film  to success. Ali Larter probably fares the best as the outcast Clear, - the most credibly written character in the piece. Kerr Smith is wasted in his role as Carter; this is nothing more than an attempt to move away from his television persona in Dawson's Creek.
Where this film does succeed, however, is in the elaborate death scenes which punctuate the narrative, creating an horrific and paranoiac tone which is easily taken home with the audience. The handling of these scenes succeeds in creating large amounts of tension, and the outcome is disturbingly cathartic for those who witness them.
Final Destination could have been a great film  there are parts which spring to life, but as a whole the piece remains a mediocre study of the way in which we view death  and life.