Final Destination 3D (2009) Review – When Gore Meets Gimmickry

Directed by: David R. Ellis

Written by: Eric Bress

Starring: Bobby Campo, Shantel VanSanten, Mykelti Williamson

Release Date: August 28, 2009

Originally Published: August 28, 2009

A Familiar Formula, Now in 3D

It was George Carlin who once pointed out that “Final Destination” is a redundant phrase—after all, every destination is final. Yet in 2009, the franchise brought us The Final Destination, the fourth film in the series, wrapped in shiny new 3D packaging.

The premise remains the same: attractive young people narrowly escape a horrific mass-casualty event thanks to a psychic vision, only to be hunted down by death in creatively gruesome ways.

Exploding Racetracks and Predictable Mayhem

This time, our “final destination” is a NASCAR stadium, where Nick (Bobby Campo) foresees a fiery catastrophe. He manages to save several people, only to find that Death isn’t so easily cheated. One by one, the survivors meet their ends in elaborate, over-the-top sequences.

Highlights (or lowlights) include a flaming tire decapitation, a man dragged down the street while on fire, and a woman ground to pieces in an escalator. The audience I saw it with laughed like they were watching a stand-up special. And honestly? That might have been the right reaction.

Where's the Horror?

There was a time when gore meant something in horror. In films like Saw, death served a purpose, guided by the twisted but coherent philosophy of Jigsaw. Here, there’s no such structure. Just flying organs and splattered CGI.

I still love horror. I’m not above enjoying a splatterfest (*My Bloody Valentine 3D* was a blast). But there’s a difference between gory fun and lazy storytelling. *Final Destination 3D* confuses one for the other.

Final Thoughts

For fans of the franchise or gorehounds looking for a shallow thrill, *Final Destination 3D* might satisfy. But for anyone who craves actual suspense, stakes, or a coherent idea behind the carnage, this one’s a miss. A gimmick in search of a movie.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2 out of 5)

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Tags:

Final Destination 3D review, Final Destination series, horror movie reviews, 2009 horror films, Bobby Campo, David R. Ellis, gory horror movies, bad horror sequels, 3D horror movies, horror franchise fatigue, Sean at the Movies reviews

Revisiting Tobe Hooper’s The Funhouse – A Carnival of Horror and Disappointment Date: May 14, 2025

“A Carnival of Missed Opportunities: Revisiting Tobe Hooper’s Uneven Cult Slasher”

Tobe Hooper is one of my favorite horror filmmakers of all time. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre isn’t just a masterpiece—it’s a cultural landmark. But not every great director bats a thousand, and The Funhouse (1981) is proof of that.

In my latest review, I dive into this peculiar carnival-set slasher, now considered a cult classic by some, but still a tough sell for me. While the final act brings some much-needed energy and gore, the road there is long, meandering, and far too slow. It’s a film full of missed potential, weighed down by thin characters and a script that stalls for far too long.

That said, The Funhouse is far from worthless. Hooper’s love of old-school horror shows through in nods to Frankenstein, Psycho, Freaks, and more. There’s even an early homage to Halloween. It’s a movie that wants to be both a tribute and a terror ride—but struggles to deliver on either.

You can hear more of my thoughts on The Funhouse in the newest episode of the I Hate Critics Movie Review Podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts. We also upload full episodes to our YouTube channel and post trailers, movie news, and more on Facebook.

Read the full review on Vocal: [Horror.Media]

Follow me on Twitter: @PodcastSean

Find the podcast on Twitter: @CriticsPod and anywhere you listen to podcasts. 

Let me know what you think of The Funhouse. Cult classic? Underrated gem? Or a swing and a miss from one of horror’s most important voices?

New Review on Vocal: “Shadow Force” (2025)

New Review on Vocal: Shadow Force (2025)

Posted May 13, 2025 by Sean Patrick – Sean at the Movies

If you’ve ever wondered how a solid, stylish action film can vanish at the box office before anyone notices, look no further than Shadow Force. The new film from director Joe Carnahan stars Kerry Washington and Omar Sy as ex-CIA assassins turned fugitive parents—and despite being packed with thrilling action, emotional beats, and even a Lionel Richie joke that works, the movie was seemingly doomed from the moment someone gave it that title.

I had a great time watching Shadow Force and even more fun writing about it. This one feels like a throwback in the best way possible: tight direction, great performances, and a totally adorable kid sidekick who might just be a future star. It deserved a better shot in theaters—and definitely a better title.

👉 Read my full review exclusively on Vocal

If you enjoy sharp, stylish action films with heart—and if you can get past the Cannon Films-era title—you might find yourself pleasantly surprised by Shadow Force. I was.

As always, thank you for supporting over 24 years of movie reviews here at Sean at the Movies. You can find over 2,800 reviews in the archive right here on the blog. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @PodcastSean and on BlueSky, and subscribe on Vocal for all my new writing.

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