Let?s deal with the Technicalities first?
Name: F I N A L D E S T I N A T I O N (2000)
Genre: Horror / Thriller / Drama / Mystery (more)
Cast Overview: Devon Sawa as Alex Chance Browning
Ali Larter as Clear Rivers
Kerr Smith as Carter Horton
Tony Todd as William Bludworth
Chad Donella as Tod Waggner
Amanda Detmer as Terry Chaney (and more?)
Working Title: Flight 180 (USA)
MPAA: Rated R for violence and terror, and for language.
Runtime: 98 min
Directed by: James Wong
Writing credits: (WGA) Jeffrey Reddick (story) & Glen Morgan (screenplay)
My preface to this plot:
Death borders upon our birth, and our cradle stands in the grave. Our birth is nothing but our death begun.
--Bishop Hall
Sounds eerie? Don?t wanna read this line again? Well, it is natural. Men fear death, as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children is increased with tales, so is the other. I Love my life, no doubt! I?d even go to the extent of saying that I love it more than many do (have my own reasons for that). Maybe that is why I think more about death than some other people. Why is there so much fuss about Death? Use your imagination, try to visualize a world without Death!! ?Death is the essential condition of life, not an evil.? said Charlotte Gilman and I couldn?t agree less.
Death and taxes and childbirth! There’s never any convenient time for any of them. Remember this line from Gone with the Wind??
Not just OUR Death. While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil.
For what is it to die,
But, to stand in the sun and melt into the wind?
And when the Earth has claimed our limbs, Then we shall truly dance
--Kahlil Gibran
P.S.: Sorry Jai, I?m borrowing ur copyright just this once coz this is a quote I revere
The Plot:
The film revolves around the life?err, Death?s encounter with the protagonist, Alex, and his classmates (6, to be precise) and their 2 professors. Of course, 2 of them die although maybe, it wasn?t their turn this time. The plot is fast & gripping at majority of the parts. However, there is a few dilly-dallying in the plot. However, that can be ignored considering the edge-of-seat effect the story holds. Watch this movie and I?m sure U may suspect every foil of Aluminium or tin, a nail, ur bathtub & it?s accessories, the signboard above you, the knife stand in ur kitchen, the passing tram, even your friend who?s driving u someplace :D eeks? now, don?t get jittery. This movie is definitely not recommended for the cynical. Watch it and take it in a positive stride coz try a li?l bit and I?m sure u?ll learn to appreciate the theme of this flick- -> Death has a Pattern!! This Thriller definitely deserves to be appreciated for the charm it spins around the much-feared factor- - DEATH!!
In brief the story is of Alex who has the ability to forsee the approach of death. Not hallucinations, not dreams (except, of course the first time he realizes this power)! He learns to watch the pattern of death and once he has hit on it there?s a cat n dog chase between Death & the Chosen Ones. Once Alex breaks the mystery and discovers the pattern that death has chosen for them, he tries to save himself and his friends and teacher. However, there?s the usual disbelief & ridicule to handle along with finding out ways to escape death. Watch it to know who wins! I guess U already know the answer : )
What to watch out:
The initial scene of the Flight where Alex gets premonitions. It was a classic!! I still check my seat belt for the signs when I?m on a flight!! :D lol!!
The scene of Alex & Clear meeting the Undertaker. Imagine an Undertaker telling U, ?I?ll see U soon!??uh?oh!
All those death scenes and the death-escapade scenes too.
The cast has done their job well. Fear written large over everyone?s face. The entire film is meant for that, don?t forget!!
The direction is commendable & the Camera effects (especially, those death scenes) are simply put, breath-takingly awesome!
DVD Speciality OR The ALTERNATIVE:
This movie actually had 3 endings. Apart from the one that u?ll be seeing in the final version, there are 2 more that is a special feature available with the DVD. Trust me, both these alternate ends are good enough but, the one they?ve finally shown is no doubt the Best!
Finally, let me sum up the mood for this review:
Even at our birth, death does but stand aside a little.
And every day he looks towards us and muses somewhat to himself whether that day or the next he will draw nigh.
--Robert Bolt