Final Destination: Bloodlines – The Warner Bros. 4K Blu-ray Edition

14 years after the last installment, the Final Destination saga is back to churning out corpses. The film avoids the number 6 in its title to make it more accessible to younger audiences. Initially conceived for streaming, the project impressed with its quality and pacing, earning a theatrical release. Behind the camera are Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein (Freaks), directors experienced in fun and over-the-top horror, while Jon Watts (Wolfs) surprisingly serves as producer. In front of the camera, Brec Bassinger (Stargirl), Kaitlyn Santa Juana (The Friendship Game), and Richard Harmon (The 100) stand out, fresh faces that perfectly embody the saga's typical "cannon fodder" spirit.

The opening sequence, set in the late '60s, is meticulously crafted and (almost too) long, introducing the new plan of Death that ultimately connects the entire saga. From then on, the pattern is familiar: elaborate and often gruesome deaths, dark humor, and deliberately improbable plot twists. Some sequences – the hospital, the family argument in the street, and the very beginning – remain among the most memorable.

Sixth film in the franchise, no surprises

The late Tony Todd (Candyman), a historical presence in the saga, delivers an emotional appearance with an almost testamentary value. The rest of the cast is excellent, though it's a shame that Brec Bassinger's character won't have more screen time; she deserved more. Overall, Final Destination: Bloodlines doesn't reinvent the formula but entertains with energy, irony, and unexpected attention to detail. A surprisingly successful return, even if we would have liked a less typical final twist for the franchise.

The hardware rig used for filming is surprisingly robust, with native resolution varying between 6K and 12K (Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera 6K, Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K, Sony Alpha FX3, Sony CineAlta Venice 2) and an aspect ratio of 2.39:1 (3840 x 2160/23.97p), HEVC encoding on a dual-layer BD-66. The opportunity to view the IMAX 1.90:1 sections was missed, but the overall viewing quality is excellent. Details stand out even in the background, especially in the numerous dark or low-light sequences, maintaining the solidity of blacks, although a few background transitions seem to falter and not be artistic choices. Dolby Vision enhances the original colorimetry and the greater dynamic range of lights. Not a reference result, but still of excellent quality.

The usual Dolby Digital 5.1 channels for Italian (640 kbps) offer barely acceptable performance if listening via a Home Theater system, feeling the need for more presence, especially from the rear channels, and more generally a contained dynamic range that makes the death sequences less exciting. The Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (24 bit) English with ATMOS objects is remarkable, delivering adrenaline rushes, vertical elements, aggressive bass, and an overall assertiveness that never fails to surprise, starting with the initial destruction of the Sky Tower.

Interesting extras: audio commentary by directors Stein and Lipovsky, rich in anecdotes about the saga and the new film; short behind-the-scenes featurette with cast and crew (6'); in-depth look at the spectacular death scenes, particularly the opening at the Sky Tower (7'); tribute to the great Tony Todd and his iconic character Bludworth (5'). Italian subtitles included.