Final Destination 2
directed by David R. Ellis
story by J. Mackeye Gruber & Eric Bress and Jeffrey Reddick
screenplay by J. Mackeye Gruber & Eric Bress
starring: Ali Larter, A.J. Cook, Michael Landes, Tony Todd

          I am completely paranoid right now.  I have just seen the new sequel to Final Destination and it has proven effective in scaring the hell out of me.  I believe that I can die any second now and am completely aware of my surroundings, looking for signs, cautious of anything that might lead to my demise.  Regardless of how good or bad the sequel is or whether or not it is a rehash of its predecessor, the fact remains that it succeeded in its goals.
          The picture opens on the anniversary of events featured in its predecessor.  Kimberly Cormon (Cook) is beginning a road trip to Florida with some friends when she has a vision of a horrible traffic accident.  Hoping to save the occupants of her car as well as those behind her at an on-ramp, she swerves sideways and parks, blocking entrance onto the highway.  Those beholden yet skeptical of the prophecy are an assortment of characters including Officer Thomas Burke (Landes) instead of the usual cast of young adults and teenagers.
        After the first of these characters dies, Kimberly seeks out the help of Clear Rivers (Larter), the sole survivor of the first film (Devon Sawa's character, Alex Browning, is explained to have suffered a lame fate between scripts).  They gather up the cast in an attempt to foil death's plans with Kimberly's prognostic gift as well as a keen attention to omens in general. 
        Also returning to give advice is Tony Todd's creepy mortician.  The guidance he provides is both confusing and leads to some inconsistency in the storytelling.  Midway through, we are let in on an interesting yet improbable connection to the events in the last film.  The worst thing the script has to offer, though, is an anticlimactic ending.  The movie starts off with a bang, plays out strongly and then peters out rather disappointingly. 
        The script has fun with itself, though.  Little hints and homages show more attention to the filling than the crust.  Sean William Scott's goofiness is missed, but the picture exhibits humor in other ways through an absurd tone that does provide a crescendo in the end.  Despite the uneven layout, the astounding dance of automobiles that kicks the movie off is not to be missed and the many graphic deaths which follow have more suspense, shock and flair than anything from the original.  Fans of Rube Goldberg machinations will not be disappointed.
          Still, the overall theme is lasting.  I can't imagine it possible to not leave the theater even a little more wary of  your surroundings and a little more concerned with how unexpected death can be.  Is it necessary for more than one of these movies?  Probably not.  The first one was sufficient.  But while Final Destination 2 isn't the freshest sequel, it is still one of the more creative and frightening follow-up productions I've seen in years.

A.J. Cook is told by a studio head (off camera) that her character, like Devon Sawa's, will have to die before the events in Final Destination 3 take place.