Final Destination 3

James Wong
2006

I love the Final Destination franchise in theory, and it's been pretty decent so far in practice, but with the third installment it looks like time might finally be up for this novel series. This time around the marked teens in question avoid grisly death via malfunctioning rollercoaster. The lead kids get wise to "death's plan" and realize that digital photographs taken the night of the accident reveal how each potential victim will/could meet their end. The big gripe here is the completely useless CGI effects used in the kill scenes. The mounting tension of each nail-biting scenario is adequate but the payoff just isn't there in any capacity. This isn't a knee-jerk digital vs. practical effects screed either, the lack of care and money are up there on the screen to prove that these types of effects aren't a legitimate way to cut down on costs. That said lead actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead is plenty easy on the eyes and it's still devilishly satisfying to see the series' trademark mousetraps coalesce. If there were more money, time, and care spent on the violent visuals (it is a horror movie after all) it would be a different story entirely.