Final Destination 3

New Line Cinema, 2006

As down as I am on the gorefest that have become standard horror movie fare these days, I have to admit (if I haven't before) that I extremely enjoy the Final Desitination movies, this one no exception. I like them basically because the "monster" isn't a tangible freak in a mask or some CG animated villian, but rather an intangible force, that could be named Fate or Karma as easily as Death.

And, in this movie, as in the other two, I found myself saying out loud, "Death, man, you gots yo'sef one wicked sense of humour!"

[NOTE: couldn't access the alternate endings ("change the fate of the characters") on this particular DVD, which was a slight letdown, but I mention it here as a good example of interesting storytelling, that is - by allowing the viewer to change the possible ending they are "bringing you into the storytelling" process, so to speak, which is not only a relatively new concept but also an ancient construct, that is, from folklore, when stories were handed down through the oral tradition, those who took them to other parts were able to embellish upon the retelling, and even adapt them to suit their audiences. Thus, the alternate endings of Final Destination 3 is actually an homage to the millenia-old tradition of what I call "fluid storytelling."]

Remember that note, kids, it'll be on the final exam at the end of the semester!

VG