Final Destination: Bloodlines

  I overheard someone comparing this to Jason Lives in terms of it being a franchise revitalization that brings new humor and style and... I can't believe I agree. Truly.

  Like, this is as good as it is because it doesn't resign itself to sequel obligations - prick its finger, the DNA is from the same tree, but it tastes sweeter than ever. It's clearly made with ancestral insight and familial reverence but with a cocky swagger to do its own thing. First off, besides tweaking the structural formula, this is the most pointedly comedic entry with well-executed jokes and a surprisingly sincere streak that belies the franchise's typically bitter roots.

  Tones are balanced so well: fun, horror, and drama never throw off the equilibrium. Tony Todd's appearance is the best example of this: he's more than a mere highlight, cameo, or cynical checklist mark as they manage to weave his appearance (and why he looks the way he does) into the narrative. He gives a showstopping monologue about death that hits hard enough thematically but also reaches right out of the screen considering he was rapidly withering from cancer...but he doesn't skip a beat as he's also typically funny and creepy.

  Moreso than in 1, 3, and 5 the characters and their drama are so consistently well-written and acted. I found myself actually caring for these people, worrying about them, and missing them after the delicious inevitable happened.

And speaking of those tasty kills:

C'mon.

  They're so impressive and we're six movies deep (just like Jason Lives!) so it wasn't an easy feat; obvious care and craft went into carefully stacking its dominoes. There are at least three all-timers that are mandatory S-ranks for future tier lists, not just for the gory spectacle but the clever misdirects. And the premonition scene is the finest opening act since Part 2.

  I do wish the kills were more practical than CGI and the photography is downright hideous (too slickly synthetic with shoddy lighting and The Volume is as distracting as ever) but otherwise I don't have any complaints.

This is the franchise at its absolute best.

P.S.

  Tony Todd's send-off here hit extra hard after the Academy completely snubbed him from their 'In Memoriam' segment. Here he gets to use his own words in the role he's arguably most known for to say goodbye. He says to cherish every second of life because it can end at any moment and no one would know that better than someone whose clock is ticking down. His words ripple until the blunt, matter-of-fact ending; not a second is wasted.