Movies

Every Deleted Scene From the Original Final Destination, Ranked

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Fans of horror movies may arguably enjoy the richest genre community today. As we move into the 2020s, blockbusters and indie films alike are increasingly leaning towards horror. The independent film scene is virtually drowning in low-budget horror productions, while no other genre sees as many sequels, reboots, or remakes as horror does. However, it’s important to remember that this abundance of content can have its downsides. When a franchise continually releases sequel after sequel, it can erode the enigma surrounding the original story. This trend has been evident in series like Saw, Halloween, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and particularly Amityville Horror, but one horror franchise has managed to avoid this pitfall: .

In an unexpected twist, the movie series known as Final Destination, surprisingly, is considered one of the most fortunate franchises due to its five films and a sixth one in production titled Final Destination: Bloodlines. Each film in the collection, save for one, is regarded as equally impressive in terms of quality and suspense. The course of this franchise might have taken a different path if it weren’t for the fact that the original Final Destination includes six deleted scenes (made public) which significantly alter the perspective of the series.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I’ve got to give it up to James Wong for pushing boundaries with “Final Destination.” However, not every concept he had for the movie made it to the silver screen. The initial script was a beefy 114 pages, but the final cut clocked in at a lean 98 minutes. With all that trimming, plenty of ideas never got their moment in the spotlight, some more outlandish than others. One intriguing scene from the original James Wong screenplay showcased Alex and Clear sharing an intimate moment post their heated forest cliff conversation – if you can believe it, they were supposed to make love! Whether this scene was ever filmed is uncertain, but it’s safe to say we haven’t caught a glimpse of it yet.

The lack of any love scene between Clear and Alex leaves the brief scene where Clear takes a pregnancy test quite perplexing. Although Clear’s subsequent storyline about pregnancy results in some intriguing and thought-provoking moments, this short scene where she anxiously discards her pregnancy test is certainly one of the least engaging among the deleted scenes from Final Destination.

Regardless of her casual demeanor following the discovery of her pregnancy through a test, I must say that Clear persisted in carrying the child to full term. This brief moment, reminiscent of when Clear learns she’s pregnant, is as sugary as a spoonful of honey, yet it lacks depth when considering the final cut of the movie. It isn’t so much that the abandoned plot line fails to engage, for it brims with possibilities. Instead, the issue lies in its hurried and seemingly unexpected introduction into the narrative of the film’s theatrical release, where Alex and Clear’s romantic relationship appears almost instantaneously without any prior build-up.

In this particular moment, what stands out is the disclosure of Clear’s baby’s name – Alexander. This moment carries a poignant tribute but also hints at potential peril, as Clear expresses feeling her child ‘pass through her.’ Whether this implies the child is destined to die next remains uncertain. Regrettably, this intriguing narrative thread doesn’t get fully developed, resulting in a lower position on the ranking scale.

In a reworked sequence, characters Carter, Clear, and Clear’s newborn child are seen at the crash site from the movie, an alternative to the violent massacre scene initially planned. This scene ranks lower on the list because it was intended to contrast with the original brutal event. The scene is soft-spoken but carries a deep emotional impact. It underscores the bond between Alex and Clear, emphasizing their determination to make the most of their second chance in life. Simultaneously, it highlights Carter’s newfound courage, symbolizing his defiance of death.

In essence, the new ending shares the same function as the current one, both concluding with an eerie wind gust and falling leaf, suggesting Death isn’t finished. Although it’s touching to have a scene that commemorates Alex and the film’s characters in a significant manner, it doesn’t compensate for the swap. The original ending in Paris is the climax of the movie, possibly matched only by Tod’s death scene. It offers one twist after another, culminating in a stunningly surprising cut to black finale that no heartfelt moment can surpass.

In my opinion, as a movie critic, I found an intriguing deleted scene from Final Destination that centers around Clear and her newborn son, Alexander, which sadly didn’t make it into the final cut. This particular scene unfolds in their newly decorated nursery room, where the baby’s cries fill the air, causing Clear to cast her eyes around the room, eventually settling on a cherished photo of herself and Alex at what appears to be a glamorous event like Prom. As she nostalgically reminisces, a faint breeze whispers through the room, hinting that Death’s work is far from over.

The sequence carries forward the narrative initiated by her dramatic entrance, adapting it to match the mood of the revised cinematic version. Moreover, there’s a quick glimpse of a fresh banner displaying the names Alex, Terry, William, Valerie, and Tod. This short inclusion serves as a tribute to some cherished characters whose names were omitted from the original town monument in the memorial statue.

One standout moment in the movie occurs when Alex and Clear reminisce about their past in a forest setting. This part offers both characters and viewers a fleeting respite to gather their thoughts, reflecting on the significant grief accumulated throughout the film so far. The omitted sections of this scene arguably added depth and intensity to subsequent events in the movie, making a strong case for their inclusion.

This remarkable scene resolves the main issue with the movie – the lack of depth in Clear and Alex’s romantic connection. It delves deeper into their relationship by allowing them to express their deepest concerns and apprehensions about their situation. In this scene, Clear confesses her sense of obligation towards Alex for providing her with a second chance at life, and they both promise to seize the opportunity.

Throughout its duration, Final Destination masterfully employs a bait-and-switch technique, particularly when Alex saves Clear from Death’s preordained fate. In the cinematic release of the movie, Clear is pinned in a car with loose and live electrical wires and gasoline leaking everywhere. Just as the vehicle appears set to detonate, Alex rushes to it, seizes a stray wire, enabling Clear to exit the car mere seconds before the explosion. While many viewers are aware that in the theatrical version, Alex gets hurled by the blast but manages to survive, this is where the original film and the cut scene diverge.

In an alternate portrayal, it falls upon Alex to undertake a selfless, heroic act. With unwavering determination, he dashes towards the vehicle, knowingly placing himself in harm’s way to thwart Death’s design. Yet, unlike before, this time the explosion doesn’t instantly fell him; instead, it sets him ablaze, leading to a prolonged, agonizing demise. Clear is left helplessly witnessing as Alex’s charred form continues to burn, still clutching the live wire with unyielding force. This scene, heart-wrenching and shocking, stands out as the most authentic depiction of death amongst all those presented in the movie.

Instead of finding discarded death scenes on the Final Destination cutting room floor, what you might not anticipate is that most of the deleted content focuses more on enhancing the film’s emotional depth rather than gore. Whether these additional scenes would have enhanced the initial movie remains debatable, but it’s clear that filmmakers should pay attention to this approach. While it’s crucial to deliver visually striking horror elements, it’s equally important for them to develop well-rounded character arcs that leave a lasting emotional impact, even after the credits finish rolling.

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2025-04-27 03:30

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