Final Destination: Bloodlines

      Much to my surprise and the surprise of many, the newest entry titled Final Destination: Bloodlines manages to be the the goriest, the most gruesome, and best written sequel since the first Final Destination splattered its way into cinemas back in 2000. Perhaps being away from the big screen for 14 years did this series much good as Bloodlines feels fresh in the way it reinvigorates the series for a new generation of fans while appropriately drawing from the nostalgia of past entries. The plot revolves around a college student who inherits visions from her dying grandmother of a previous premonition that averted a deadly structural failure in 1968 with the latter warning her that Death is back and targeting her family tree. What makes Bloodlines standout from other entries in the series is how much more emotionally resonant its plot feels in comparison with the whole initial premise of not being able to cheat death. With Bloodlines cast, the ensemble delivers performances that range as being strong and effective, creating a sense of camaraderie that allows the audience to empathize with each person's predicament and dreading their ultimate fate. Some of the films standout performances include Kaitlyn Santa Juana as Stefani Reyes in the main role as a College student haunted by nightmares of a 1968 tower collapse, Two Briones as Stefani's younger brother, Richard Harmon as her cousin Erik, Owen Patrick Joyner as her other cousin Bobby, Ryan Kihlstedi as Stefani's estranged mother Darlene and daughter of Iris's in the latter's vision, Gabrielle Rose as Iris who had the premonition in 1968, and Tony Todd in a brief yet emotionally poignant performance as mortician William Bludworth.

      As far as the films visual style and creative ways of annihilating its main characters go, Bloodlines keeps in line with the series distinct ways of building up its key set-pieces which mainly consist of creatively executed death scenes involving its key characters. Each death sequence in the film is well thought out and presented as being memorable. Directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein push the boundaries of creativity when it comes to the death scenes while not forgetting to incorporate moments of dark humor. Through the use of the films cinematography, the filmmakers drop hints for the audience with the potential death traps and the instruments that'll play a role in each characters ultimate demise. The suspense is steadily built up before each sequence occurs with the audience literally being at the edge of their seats when they do occur. Despite being the sixth entry in the series, the films death sequence remain as gruesome and unflinching as ever with the concept carrying a bit of freshness to it, though that could potentially be attributes to the series being away for almost 15 years. Whereas prior Final Destination sequels presented its characters as being stereotypical generic figures that has the audience eagerly anticipating their demise, Bloodlines script makes a notable effort to add layers to the main characters, especially the core family members in an effort to make the audience care about them before their inevitable and gruesome demise. For the most part, the film succeeds in doing such while adding a strong emotional core to the film. The opening sequence in itself is undeniably thrilling and instantly grabs the audiences attention.

      For horror fans as well as fans of the series in general, Final Destination: Bloodlines is an absolute must watch as its not only the best one since the first but delivers fresh twists and turns with it's already established formula while never easing up on the inventiveness and brutality of the deaths. It helps that this one carries a strong emotional core to its story and is presented in a way that can attract not just longtime fans of the series but newer faces as well.

Final Verdict: A real treat for horror fans. Watch it.