Final Destination was never a franchise that interested me as a viewer. The bloody and gratuitous violence proved an immediate turn-off. The concept of the series alone was enough to make it something that I simply never found interesting. That is what made Final Destination Bloodlines a mystery. Released back in May of this year, the film was both a critical and commercial success, earning 285.3 million dollars worldwide. Its massive success made me eager to see why Final Destination Bloodlines was a big deal. That made this review of the Blu-ray release a no-brainer, and a seemingly perfect entry point to the franchise.
Final Destination Bloodlines follows a college student named Stefani Reyes (Kaitlyn Santa Juana). When Stefani has recurring nightmares of a tower collapse in the 1960s, she discovers something sinister. As she uncovers that her grandmother had that premonition that day, Stefani comes to a startling realization. The essence of death is still plaguing the family today and is out for more blood. To prevent further catastrophes, Stefani embarks on a quest to find the one person who can break the cycle. Along with her family, Stefani sets out to prevent death from taking out her family’s bloodline.
To clarify, this is my first step into this franchise. With that being the case, it’s easy to see the appeal. There’s a self-referential and fun campiness to the film that I certainly did not expect. That is particularly due to the screenplay by both Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor. Through the writing, a level of knowing, fun, and excitement is on display. Even as a first-time viewer, it’s easy to tell the reverence these writers have for the franchise. That is particularly evident in the grisly kills throughout. Except there is an exciting wrinkle to the gore that proved rather surprising.
Final Destination Bloodlines is a shockingly funny film throughout its runtime. Granted, that is by no means to say this is a laugh-out-loud comedy. The humor comes from a place of ridiculous gratuity. Ever kill or violent death is so broad that it is difficult not to laugh. From the gnarly opening sequence to the later kills, it’s hard not to become enveloped. There’s a knowing ludicrousness that is infectious. That alone helped make the experience something that is highly watchable. It can also be attributed to the cast that makes up this bloody rollercoaster. That can be enough to make up for some seriously lackluster character development.
None of the characters are meant to exist as fully fleshed-out beings. Instead, they’re meant to be nothing more than conduits for the kills. That certainly does not mean that there is a bad performance in the bunch. What is needed for any sort of emotional attachment to the characters is chemistry. Within the Reyes family, there is thankfully a palpable chemistry on display. In these moments, it gives viewers just enough to care about these people as they survive the madness. That said, there is one standout performance from the late-great Tony Todd (Candyman).
A veteran of the franchise, Todd embodies his one scene with gravitas. On the surface, it’s an appearance that could feel like nothing more than an exposition dump. Instead, he embodies the scene with a surprising warmth and humanity. It’s a welcome change of pace from the film’s fast pace and incredibly violent nature. The scene serves as more than a swan song to Todd’s career, particularly in the genre of horror. Even for someone who has never seen the franchise, it serves as a reminder of its immense popularity. Simultaneously, it exists as an emotionally cathartic sequence for the franchise and Todd’s legacy.
Is the Final Destinations Bloodlines Blu-ray worth purchasing?
In reviewing the Blu-ray release, only one other question remains. Does the film justify a a purchase. For fans of the franchise, that would be an instantaneous yes without question. The crisp Blu-ray picture quality lends the kills an exciting energy. It’s raw, visceral, and will make them both scream and cheer. With numerous special features, fans will thoroughly enjoy the entire experience. A standout feature is the featurette titled “The Many Deaths of Bloodlines” clocking in at 7 minutes. While brief, the featurette goes into the behind-the-scenes creation of the kills. It’s a fascinating look that simply left me wanting to learn more about the craft.
For non-fans of Final Destination Bloodlines, the film could be an admittedly harder sell. While undeniably entertaining, it’s hard to decipher if it does anything to stand out. As someone who has not seen any of the previous films, a more diehard fan could prove that statement wrong. That said, it still may not be enough to convince some viewers. What could help the decision is the commentary by directors Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky. Off the bat, it’s easy to tell that both of these men have a deep love and understanding of this world. It’s often engaging and helps one understand why the film received the reviews it did. For those who are not fans, it may even be enough to re-evaluate and appreciate the film as a whole.
Final Destination Bloodlines is a film that is much better than it has any right to be. It knows exactly what the audience is looking for and it delivers. In this Blu-ray home release, making a purchase becomes a no-brainer. For non-fans (like myself) who have never seen the film, I’d still say it’s something that’s worth your time. As a non-fan, there are enough interesting features that could convince you to make a purchase. Otherwise, it might be best to consider something purchased at a discount in the future.
Final Destination: Bloodlines is now playing in limited theaters. It is also available for purchase on DVD and digital at your retailer of choice.
Learn more about the film at the official website for the title.
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