Schocktober 2023 # 15

Watched on Blu-Ray

This likeable sequel to a great original with an original idea doesn't make as many demands on itself as its predecessor, which tried to consistently continue the logic of Part 1 with a sensible expansion of the previous rules. The result: there was only one serious flaw in the logic of the basic framework, a quota that could never have been kept in the increasingly inscrutable jungle of further consequences. Part 3 switches back a bit, simply wants to show an alternative situation and has set the right goal accordingly. This admission to continue working with the material on a simpler level is perfectly sufficient for entertainment purposes, simply because the second sequel is well executed. The only downer: the philosophical aspects of death only flash up slightly.

The fan of the horror genre is primarily interested in the types of death, and these are well done, bloody without holding on and always nicely threaded. Also deaths, where you wonder what will happen and how, because the possibilities are just bubbling over, are once again present. Here one relies on the tried and true. The characters are admittedly only the usual routine of a typical US screenplay, but the somewhat more imaginative dialogues and a brisk implementation make up for it.

Choosing the roller coaster as the unlucky situation this time is a good idea in my opinion. It's really shocking when the bars suddenly go up, and you really suffer with it. But this is not only the case here, rarely have I sat so nervously in front of a film. There are scenes that shock as well as scenes that foreshadow evil. The heart races along.

The idea of guessing the plan of death through photos is a bit simplistic, but it is a successful alternative in that it allows you to believe that you can guess a little when deciphering the clues. Only afterwards do you know that this was impossible, as the deaths were far too confusing for that. Afterwards you are always smarter, but it doesn't harm the fun of puzzling along.

"Final Destination" is the prime example of a cow that can be milked forever. The concept is right and as long as the scriptwriters "murder" imaginatively, the horror fan will thank them. In its consequence, "Final Destination 3" may not be the most imaginative part of the series, but it is an entertaining sequel in my opinion, not least due to the strong lead of MEW, who is the only female in the series so far to be given two elaborate visions (even if the second one goes a bit nowhere). But as long as there's still the possibility to get her back in the 6th installment as a legacy character, I'm fine with it.