Fortunately the film's scare factor overpowers bland characters and an average plot. Moments before take off he envisions the plane crashing in flames. Alex throws a fit and is kicked off the plane along with six of his classmates. It's a good thing, too, since moments later the students watch as the plane explodes. Months later the lucky students who cheated death begin to turn up dead, introducing the film's theme that you can't avoid Death forever.
Death looms large and menacing in the film.
Sawa is an average actor at best, and never really breaks out from the ensemble cast. He simply leads the students in their fight against Death without leading the film. Though Alex is admirable for his selflessness and heroism, he does not possess the charisma to really grab the audience's attention. Sawa may have some star potential, but he needs more screen presence if he wants to remain leading man material. The rest of the cast isn't much better.