WHAT’S IT ABOUT
Kimberly (A.J. Cook) has a premonition of a horrible highway accident killing multiple people — including her and her friends. She blocks the cars behind her on the ramp from joining traffic — and as a police trooper (Michael Landes) arrives, the accident actually happens. Now, Death is stalking this group of mistaken survivors — and one by one they are dying as they were supposed to on the highway.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
After the success of the first “Final Destination,” I was super curious to see if the sequel could match the original’s creativity and tension. I gotta say, “Final Destination 2” actually manages to up the ante in a lot of ways, especially with its absolutely bonkers opening sequence. While it doesn’t quite have the freshness of the original, it delivers exactly what fans want – more elaborate death traps and some genuinely shocking moments. Let’s talk about that opening highway pile-up scene right away because WOW. Kimberly Corman (A.J. Cook) is headed on vacation with her friends when she has a terrifying vision of a massive highway accident. She blocks traffic, saving several people from the crash, which – surprise! – actually happens just like she saw it. This opening sequence is honestly one of the most intense car crashes ever filmed. Logs flying off trucks, cars flipping, explosions – it’s chaotic, brutal, and perfectly sets up the rest of the movie. The highway scene alone makes the movie worth watching. It’s like the filmmakers knew they had to go bigger than the plane crash from the first movie, and they absolutely delivered. I still get nervous driving behind logging trucks to this day because of this scene! Just like in the first movie, Death isn’t happy about being cheated. The survivors start dying off one by one in bizarre accidents. But this time there’s a twist – they’re dying in reverse order from how they would have died in the crash. This adds a neat layer of tension because the characters actually know who’s next on Death’s list. The movie also introduces this cool concept that Death has this complex design that’s been in motion since before the highway accident. We learn that the survivors were actually supposed to die in different accidents before, but were saved by the death of a character from the first movie. It gets a bit complicated, but it basically means everyone’s fates are connected in this weird, intricate web.If the first “Final Destination” established the formula, the sequel perfects it. The death scenes in this movie are straight-up more creative, more shocking, and more graphic than in the original. The movie does an amazing job building tension before each death – you know something bad is going to happen, but you’re never quite sure how.There’s one death involving an apartment fire, a falling fire escape ladder, and some pigeons that’s so ridiculously complex it’s almost funny. Another involves a dentist visit gone horribly wrong that will make you never want to sit in that chair again. But the absolute standout is a scene involving a pane of glass that made the entire theater gasp when I first saw it. It’s sudden, brutal, and completely unexpected. The movie kns exactly what the audience is here for, and it delivers these scenes with perfect pacing. Each death setup takes its time, showing you all these potential hazards and making you think “is it gonna be this? No, maybe that?” before finally springing the trap in a way you didn’t see coming.Like most horror sequels, character development isn’t exactly the priority here. Kimberly is an okay protagonist – she’s determined and proactive about trying to cheat Death, but she doesn’t have quite the same compelling arc as Devon Sawa’s Alex in the first movie. The supporting cast is a bit of a mixed bag. Michael Landes plays Officer Thomas Burke, who becomes Kimberly’s ally after witnessing the highway accident. He’s likable enough, but their developing relationship feels a bit forced. The rest of the survivors include a drug-using businessman, a single mom, and a cocky lottery winner – most just distinct enough to make their eventual deaths meaningful. The best character in the movie is actually Clear Rivers (Ali Larter), returning from the first film. She’s been voluntarily living in a padded cell in a mental institution because she thinks it’s the only way to stay safe from Death. Her character has this great hardened edge now – she’s seen this all before and knows exactly what these new survivors are up against. Whenever she’s on screen, the movie gets more interesting. One thing I really appreciate about “Final Destination 2″ is how it builds on the mythology established in the first movie rather than just rehashing it. We get to see Tony Todd return as the creepy mortician Bludworth, who drops more cryptic hints about Death’s design. The way the sequel connects to the original through subtle references and direct plot points makes the world feel more developed. The movie also leans harder into the idea of signs and premonitions. Characters start noticing weird patterns and omens before Death strikes, adding another layer to watch for. I found myself scanning the background of scenes looking for clues about how someone might die, which makes for a really engaging viewing experience The movie isn’t without its flaws. The dialogue can be pretty cheesy at times, and some of the acting is definitely B-movie quality. A few of the death scenes rely too heavily on CGI that hasn’t aged very well. There’s also a twist ending that feels a bit forced, like the writers weren’t quite sure how to wrap things up. And let’s be honest – the plot gets pretty convoluted when they start explaining how everyone’s fates are interconnected. It almost feels like the writers were making it up as they went along to justify bringing back some elements from the first movie.”Final Destination 2” knows exactly what it is and delivers on its promises. It’s not trying to be profound cinema – it’s trying to make you squirm, gasp, and maybe laugh nervously at its creative death scenes. On that level, it absolutely succeeds. What makes it work is its understanding of tension and release. The movie isn’t just about the shocking moment of death; it’s about the excruciating build-up where you’re watching every little thing go wrong and anticipating the eventual gruesome outcome. While it lacks some of the freshness and character development of the original, “Final Destination 2” makes up for it with more elaborate set pieces and a willingness to push the boundaries of its premise. That highway scene alone secures its place as one of the most memorable horror sequences of the 2000s. Is it high art? Nope. Is it entertaining as hell? Absolutely. I’m giving it a solid 7.5/10 – a worthy sequel that in some ways even surpasses the original when it comes to creative kills and tension-building. If you enjoyed the first movie, this one is definitely worth your time. Just maybe don’t watch it before a long road trip.
OUR RATING – A BACK FOR SECONDS 7.5
MEDIA
- Genre – Horror
- Street date
- Digital – July 22, 2003
- Blu-Ray/DVD – July 22, 2003
- Video – 1080p
- Screen size 1.78:1
- Sound – English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1,
- Czech: Dolby Digital 5.1, German: Dolby Digital 5.1, Hungarian: Dolby Digital 5.1, Polish: Dolby Digital 5.1, Russian: Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
- Subtitles – English SDH, German SDH, Spanish, Arabic, Cantonese, Croatian, Czech, Hebrew, Hungarian, Korean, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Thai, Turkish
Extras
- Commentary:
The Blu-ray features a commentary track with Director/Writer James Wong, Producer/Writer Glen Morgan, Editor James Coblentz, and Writer Jeff Reddick.
- Deleted Scenes:
The Blu-ray includes deleted scenes, such as a cross-examination with Isabella’s husband, a conversation between Eugene and Nora, and extended versions of Kimberly’s interrogation.
- Featurettes:
Two documentaries are included: “Bits & Pieces: Bringing Life to Death,” which discusses the history of splatter film and visual effects, and “Cheating Death: Beyond and Back,” which features real-life accounts of near-death experiences.
- Other Extras:
The Blu-ray also includes “The Terror Gauge,” a test screening system, the interactive game “Choose Your Fate,” music videos, and theatrical trailers.