A film that does justice to the genre

Rating: 9/10 (24 March 2007)

Final Destination, the brain child of director James Wong, is a startling difference from the typical teen horror film. For once there is not a Freddy or Michael or Jason stalking the teens in the film but Death itself personified. Also the film is a paean of respect for the masters of horror films past. For instance the character of agent Shreck is named for the stage name Max Shreck of the actor in the 1922 silent film classic "Nosferatu" the first filmed version of Dracula. (Shreck is a German in joke meaning "terror."
This film enhanced the career of Devon Sawa, already on his way up as a well known actor. The film featured a number of twists that differed from anything that came before, putting it on a short list of modern horror classics which was not the same old business as usual kind of film. I will not give away any of the secrets of the film. You really have to see it to appreciate it. Warning, very intense and definitely not for young children.