The rule of four

It’s a rule of two that usually plays in sequel heaven Hollywood. The second movies of the big-ticket series are either the best or the worst ones (best: Godfather, Terminator; worst: Batman, Matrix). But The Final Destination 3D, a.k.a. Final Destination 4, has managed to move the jinx to the fourth pole.

Final Destination 3D

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Reliance BIG Home/Warner, Rs 599 (2-disc set)

Rating: NO STAR

It’s a rule of two that usually plays in sequel heaven Hollywood. The second movies of the big-ticket series are either the best or the worst ones (best: Godfather, Terminator; worst: Batman, Matrix). But The Final Destination 3D, a.k.a. Final Destination 4, has managed to move the jinx to the fourth pole. By turning a promising meta-plot — a group of people miraculously saved from a disaster are serially hunted by Death — into a tasteless, actingless bloodsport, it has taken the franchise to the pits.

A decade ago, the agile face of Dewon Sawa built the thrill-every-ten-minutes character of the franchise. In this 2009 film, Bobby Campo’s damp portrayal of Nick, the guy who can see a few minutes into the future, leaves the thrill-making to the gore, which comes all too often, all too graphically.

The four pairs of red-and-blue 3D viewers that come with the pack leave you seeing, well, only red and blue. The first disc, which has the film in a regular format, doesn’t work. Surely you spend a better hour and a quarter.