There are various reasons why the cinema experience trumps home viewing – and one of them is watching a darkly comedic horror movie, like ‘Final Destination: Bloodline’, in the company of a throng of strangers.

• This is the sixth film in a franchise that dates back to the beginning of the new millennium.
• The original film was suggested by the concept for an unmade episode of the TV series ‘The X-Files’, which, in turn, was inspired by the 1984 movie ‘Sole Survivor’.
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As I often do, I must put my cards on the table upfront: I’m a harsh critic of Hollywood’s current ‘stuck mode’ – i.e. sequels, prequels, “re-imaginings”, and remakes. Is there no imagination left in that community, for fresh new stories? That said, I guiltily give certain franchises a free pass, and the Final Destination movies fall within that zone. It’s become an expected ritual that every few years a new Final Destination will be released, to gross out fresh generations. By the same token, although it’s a different genre, I’d be happy to welcome Bill & Ted sequels to the point where it would still be “excellent!” if the goofy duo were staggering around on Zimmer frames.

Oh, and if there’s anyone listening at New Line Cinema: Why did you drop the 3-D? It worked so well for the last two Final Destination‘s, and although it’s a format that could enhance any genre, it’s a must for horror movies.

In case you’re new to the concept upon which the franchise is premised: A disastrous event takes place, and certain individuals who are caught up in it escape a sure death, by a stroke of luck. Death then feels cheated and vengeful, and targets the temporarily lucky person, by killing them further down the line. And that means that any everyday object could suddenly become a lethal weapon. The secondary title of this particular movie, ‘Bloodline’ informs us that, if you’re one such survivor, and you manage to have offspring before you’re offed, those who follow in your bloodline will be added to Death’s watch list.

The movie’s narrative line is full of plot holes, but nobody cares. Folks haven’t come to this theatre to watch a documentary or love story. They’re here for what is ultimately a cinematic ghost train ride, and logical loopholes be damned. Credit must go to the filmmakers for finding new ways of killing folk in every new Final Destination sequel – just when most of us were thinking that it’s only planes, trains and automobiles that suddenly and unexpectedly shorten lives. So, when I say that Hollywood has run out of ideas, I must give credit where it’s due.

Maybe one gets more squeamish as one grows older, but the gore scenes in this movie had me gasping. Is there something wrong with us, as a species, that we can sit there, chortling and scoffing popcorn, while some unfortunate individual is being squished to death, like a tomato churning through a garbage disposal unit? Just asking…

What I like best about the films in this franchise, however, is that – like the Nightmare on Elm Street movies – they’re held together by a thread of wickedly dark humour. I’ve also noticed, over the years, that even the film’s horror beats take their structure from classic comedy routines. So, for example, a guy ducks a pie that’s being thrown at him, but while he’s busy laughing smugly at his attacker… whack! He gets hit by a pie coming from another direction.

Another commendable element of such movies is that they highlight the fun of the movie theatre experience: We share a communal chuckle at the dark jokes, and groan and gasp in a loud chorus at the gore moments – and then titter in embarrassment at ourselves. Finally, without giving you spoiler, I can tell you that the movie ends on an in-joke that only the die-hard Final Destination fans will get. And you can note in your logbook.

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