  
The Final Destinationa.k.a. “Final Destination 4,” “Destinatie finala 4,” “Destino final 4,” “El destino final 3D,” “Final Dead Circuit 3D,” “Final Destination: Death Trip,” “Final Destination: Death Trip 3D,” “La Destination Ultime,” “Premonição 4,” “Sei sun 4 loi liu,” “Son durak 4 3D,” “Vlepo ton thanato sou 4”MPAA Rating:
 for strong violent/gruesome accidents, language and a scene of sexuality.Reviewed by: Brian C. Johnson Very Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Adults
Genre:
Horror, Suspense, Thriller, Sequel
Length:
1 hr. 22 min.
Year of Release:
2009
USA Release:
August 28, 2009 (wide—3,000 theaters)
  
Relevant Issues
Other films
Prequel: Final Destination (2000) Prequel: Final Destination 3 (2006) Death and judgment
Death in the Bible Is there an actual place called “Hell”? Answer Why was Hell made? Answer Is there anyone in Hell today? Answer Will there literally be a burning fire in Hell? Answer What should you be willing to do to stay out of Hell? Answer How can a God of love send anybody to Hell? Answer What if I don't believe in Hell? Answer Salvation
THE GOOD NEWS—How to be saved from Hell. Answer Are you good enough to get to Heaven? Answer How good is good enough? Answer Violence
VIOLENCE—How does viewing violence in movies affect families? Answer Every time you buy a movie ticket or rent a video you are casting a vote telling Hollywood “That’s what I want.” Why does Hollywood continue to promote immoral programming? Are YOU part of the problem? Answer
“Rest in pieces” Ahhh…finally, “THE Final Destination”! In 2000, director James Wong brought to life an interesting concept about the timing of death. In the original “Final Destination,” a young man has a premonition that the plane he and his schoolmates are boarding will ultimately explode. He and several others are ejected from the plane, which saves his life, as the vision became a reality. They would soon learn that Death has a plan, and each of the survivors dies in the order they would have if they had remained on the plane. Such is the case in “Final Destination 2,” except the setting is a crash on the highway, and the carnage continues in “Final Destination 3,” when the students are saved from a roller coaster crash at an amusement park. Director David Ellis (who also directed the second installment) concludes the series with the action resulting from a deadly car race. The cast of “The Final Destination” includes relatively unknown actors, except for Mykelti Williamson (“Forrest Gump,” “August Rush,” “ATL”) who plays George Lanter, a racetrack security guard who is on Death’s most wanted list. The lack of seasoning and experience shows; the acting is mediocre, at best. Bobby Campo stars as Nick O’Bannon, the young man who prophetically predicts the car crash, and Shantel VanSanten who plays Nick’s girlfriend, Lori. Nick not only divines the car crash, but is quick to learn that he can see elements of the circumstances or causes of the others’ deaths; he and Lori work to save the day (which includes staving off their own demise). Fans of the series will find the usual fare—a premonition of doom, a few people escape—at least temporarily—and through a series of random and unexplainable events, the survivors do not survive. Fans of the series will more than likely find this to also be the film’s downfall—the film follows the original (and subsequent) storyline to the letter—no risks, no turns. The thrill is definitely gone from this thriller, except for the addition of Real 3-D technology. This film was made for 3D; the ghastly randomness of the death sequences is heightened by the coolness of cinematography. Most Christian audiences will find this film objectionable; it is incredibly violent and gory, there is some bad language, and one nude sex scene which was absolutely unnecessary to the overall film (come on Hollywood!). Those willing to deconstruct a film in this genre may be open to a discussion on being ready when death comes a-knockin’, but sadly, there is little else. Violence: Extreme / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: Moderate VIOLENCE—How does viewing violence in movies affect families? Answer
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.   Positive
none Neutral
Neutral - This is gonna be a tricky one to review. I try to look at it from two perspectives and anyone that judges me on this really shouldn't. Neutral - For other verses on why it is wrong to judge others, just take a look at Romans 14. You can make comments about their review, but do not say anything about that person. Now, for my take on the movie. If you do not like gore, then I would definately stay away from it. That's the biggest part of the movie. There was one sex scene in it, and it reminded me of how dumb hollywood is getting nowadays. It wasn't even necessary. At least in “Final Destination 3,” they were in a tanning salon, so it kinda made sense. Still not all that appropriate though. As for language, very few and far between. They had some, but the movie is very tame on it. Having said that, I did find the movie entertaining. I don't mind gore that much, as I know it's fake. I liked how this movie reinforces the fact that you do not know when you are gonna die. It can happen at anytime and in anyway. If your mature in your faith, you will not feel impacted at the end of the film. At first, I wasn't sure if I should see it or not, but after I did, I realized that there is a time and a place for anything, AS LONG AS IT ISN'T DIRECT SIN. It doesn't glorify the violence, as the characters are trying to cheat death's system. Neutral - Final D. Wow. You know they're fishing for more money when it's not only part 4 but in 3D. The first movie was ok. Not a bad concept by any stretch of the imagination. Invisible killer lurking around since the beginning of mankind. Death. Only he likes to drop by unannounced in rather creative ways, especially after being stood up at the tea party. That's the gist of these flicks. And imho, the second installment is still by far the best. Aside from the obvious reason - Ali Larter - it has one of the finest crash sequences ever portrayed on screen. Fake, cgi-laiden, staged. It doesn't matter. It's a beautiful scene I personally had to rewatch several times because of the blended chemistry of stunts, pyrotechnics, and digital manipulation. Negative
Negative - This movie followed the premise of previous versions. Gruesome death scenes. There was one point in the movie - a totally unneccessary scene of nudity and sexual content. I had checked the reviews and rating beforehand, but it never once said anything about the sex scene. I was mortified to know there were parents with many young children in the theater watching this movie. As a christian this movie more for this scene than for its premise offended me. If you go watch this movie for its entertainment value take it as such fine but read more into it is not good. Negative - ok, so here we go again, accident happens, people die and then you see it's just a vision again! The movie is only worth seeing because it's in 3D. This is why I gave it 3 and a half stars. The movie got a little boring because really it's not something we've never seen before… f words don't begin until the middle of the movie… There is one sexual scene with naked woman. I am not one to tell you to not go see this movie. Its totally up to you…. The 3d is truly worth it! But just be prepared, it's all the same, nothing really new. Perhaps some new ideas, that's about it. If u decide to see the movie, enjoy the ride! Comments from non-viewers
I have not seen this movie. There is no reason to do so. The purpose of man is to know God, make Him known and glorify/enjoy Him forever. When you say, "I'm going to watch a movie that glorifies death", you will find it much more accurate to say "I'm going to take some time to specifically turn my back on fulfilling God's purpose for my life today". No excuses. It's that simple. We don't lock ourselves in Christian cages. We also don't go out of our way to deglorify our Creator with our actions. To the “neutral” reviewer. You ask us not to judge you. However, we are told to Judge in John 7, and even the oft misused “do not judge” passages tell us “how” to judge (remove the plank first) not simply not to judge. We are to judge actions and draw non-hypocrytical conclusions. In that vein, you need to understand that you made a poor decision. Do what you will with the impact of that truth. I've never made a post on a movie I haven't seen before, because frankly, I think the notion of reviewing a movie you haven't seen is ridiculous. However, I feel compelled to intervene. That chapter (which is actually in Matthew 7, for those others who would look it up) starts right off the bat with, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Fairly straightforward. Not a lot of ifs, ands, or buts about it. Don't judge people. So why does Jesus then say to first remove the plank from your own eye before removing the speck from your brother's? These two statements are contradictory- the first basically says that you should not judge, ever, or you will be judged as well, and the second says it's okay to judge as long as you're sinless. Wait. Did you catch that? Sinless. And who among us can make that claim? I don't believe Jesus was saying that literally. I believe he used that as an example just to prove that we would never reach a point where we can judge. As far as our relationship with the sins of others goes, we are only called, as Christians, to help each other along. We are not to assume this stance that says, “I've got the objective truth about which movies are okay and which aren't,” and then go around judging others because of their decisions. We've all got planks in our eyes. Sometimes, they're different planks, but they're still there. I believe that with movies, three people can watch the same thing, and not all of them will sin while doing so. Whether or not a movie is okay to watch is strictly between the viewer and God- pray about it. If God says no, and you watch it, you're sinning. That's the standard that should be used. Because if we come up with an objective standard, we're going to be running ourselves in circles all day. When is something too violent, too sexual, too obscene? Who can possibly come up with that standard? Only God. Which is why it's between him and the viewer. Rom. 12:9… "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good." Liking something that is evil, is sin! 1 Thes 5:21… "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good…" What is good about this movie? 1 Corin 10:20-21… "Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons." Make your choice, be of the world or be a child of God? |
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