Clear Rivers

This article is about the fictional character. For the Rhode Island river, see Clear River (Rhode Island). For the Swedish river, see Klarälven.
Clear Rivers
Final Destination character

Ali Larter as Clear Rivers in the first film
First appearance Final Destination
Last appearance Final Destination 2
Created by Jeffrey Reddick
Portrayed by Ali Larter
Information
Full name Clear Marie Rivers
Gender Female
Occupation Artist
Former high school student
(at Mt. Abraham High)
Significant other(s) Alexander "Alex" Browning
(boyfriend; deceased)
Location Mt. Abraham, New York
Status Deceased
Cause of death Incinerated in oxygenated explosion

Clear Marie Rivers is a fictional character from the Final Destination series. She first appears in James Wong's Final Destination (2000) as a high school senior, who after surviving a plane explosion foreseen by Alex Browning assists him on "cheating Death" by rescuing the other survivors from their impending doom. She is portrayed by Ali Larter in the film and its sequel Final Destination 2 (2003), in which she reprises her role as Kimberly Corman's aide in saving the new set of victims. In this sequel, she dies during a hospital fire alongside Eugene Dix. Clear has also appeared in the novelizations of the motion pictures.[1][2]

The character was created by Jeffrey Reddick. Along with Tony Todd, Larter is the only person to reprise the role in the series. Although the character development of Clear was praised, Larter's performance received mixed reviews.[3] Larter did however receive a Young Hollywood Award for her role.

Character arc

Final Destination

Clear Rivers is introduced in the 2000 film Final Destination as one of the seniors from the fictional Mt. Abraham High School boarding Volée Airlines Flight 180 from John F. Kennedy International Airport destined for Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport on May 13, 2000. On board, Alex Browning (Devon Sawa) warns the passengers about his vision of the airliner exploding in mid-air, gaining no support except for Clear. She and Alex are removed from the plane along with five others before it detonates, killing the other 286 passengers. After an interrogation with Agent Schreck (Roger Guenveur Smith) and Agent Weine (Daniel Roebuck), she is accompanied by Alex and Ken Browning (Robert Wisden) to her abode. At the memorial for the victims, she presents Alex a white rose as gratitude for saving her life. Tod Waggner (Chad Donella) unexpectedly dies, forcing Alex to flee with her. Inside her residence, she explores her past with Alex regarding her father's death, her mother's remarriage, and her abandonment. Afterwards, she and Alex visit William Bludworth (Tony Todd), who claims about Death and its consequences. Once Alex realizes that Death is recouping their lives, she and Alex plot to rescue the remaining survivors. Having successfully saved Carter Horton, Alex withdraws from the group. Not long after, her house experiences short-circuits, obliging her to escape with her car. The car is trapped by livewires, nonetheless Alex saves her and survives. Months later in Paris, Alex rethinks about their triumph over Death, in which she saves Alex from a speeding bus, yet also witnesses Carter's demise.[4]

Alternate ending

In the alternate ending of the film, Alex and Clear engage in sex while lurking at a beach, resulting in her pregnancy. Later on, Alex dies of the electrocution while saving her. Nine months later, she gives birth to their son, naming him Alexander Chance, and reunites with Carter, safe in the knowledge that they defeated Death.[5][6]

Final Destination 2

Clear returns in the sequel Final Destination 2 (2003), set a year after the events of Final Destination. Kimberly Corman (A. J. Cook) visits Clear (Larter) inside Stonybrook Mental Institution and asks for her help concerning the safety of the Route 23 pileup survivors. Distraught by Alex' death, Clear induces Kimberly for isolation to let the others perish. Nevertheless, she accompanies Kimberly and Thomas Burke (Michael Landes) to Bludworth (Todd), who informs them the equilibrium of Death and "new life", implying their salvation upon the unborn son of survivor Isabella Hudson (Justina Machado). Falling short on salvaging the remaining survivors, she, Kimberly and Thomas succeed on saving Isabella and her infant. Unfortunately, Kimberly discovers Isabella's embargo from Death all along, thus they are all still imperiled. Understanding the situation, Clear locates the room of Eugene Dix (Terrence C. Carson) at the hospital. Finding him contained by an oxygenated room, she opens the door, subsequently loosening the plug of Eugene's defibrillator, creating a spark that incinerates Eugene's room, burning her and Eugene.[7]

In her alternate death scene, Clear grins in contentment as flames engulf her body.[8] Clear's death was shown in x-ray format during the opening credits of The Final Destination and briefly in the death montage of Final Destination 5.[9][10]

Final Destination 3

Originally, Ali Larter, A.J Cook, and Michael Landes were intended to appear in Final Destination 3, reprising their roles. However, Ali Larter declined to renew the contract due to obligations with other filming, so the script to Final Destination 2 was rewritten to where she was killed off at the end of the movie with fellow survivor Eugene, while Cook and Landes were killed offscreen in Final Destination 3 by a woodchipper.

The Final Destination

A reference is made to the character through an easter egg in The Final Destination, where Clear's name appears on a sign of a brand of water that reads "Clear Rivers Water". The sign triggers the main visionary and alerts him that water will be causing an upcoming fatal accident.

Novels

Clear Rivers made her literary debut in January 2006 when Natasha Rhodes released a novelization of the film entitled Final Destination I: The Movie. The book follows the events of the film, but expands on Clear's backstory regarding her parents.[1] The last adaptation to feature Clear was Final Destination II: The Movie, released 28 days following its precursor. Likewise co-written by Rhodes and Nancy A. Collins, the novel follows the events of Final Destination 2, with the substitution of a birthday cake in conducting the combustion and the inclusion of a hospital orderly among the victims.[2][11]

Development

Ali Larter, famous for portraying Niki Sanders in the TV series Heroes, played Clear Rivers in the Final Destination series.

Casting and creation

Along with other Final Destination characters, Clear was conceived by series creator Jeffrey Reddick.[12] Ali Larter, who starred in the 1999 film Varsity Blues, was cast as Clear Rivers. "I remember reading the script for the first movie and just being thrilled to find out I’d be playing a more introverted, darker character than I was accustomed to at the time," Larter articulated. She thought the script was special and cancelled all files on young scripts of several roles, such as the cheerleader, the victim, and others.[6][13] Larter liked the themes of both films and thought they were fascinating within their genre.[14] According to her, the film shows how easy it is to turn on someone and to blame someone when you're scared and about trusting your intuitions and yourself.[15]

On the subject of returning for the sequel, Larter was chosen by New Line Cinema over her co-star Devon Sawa, who performed as Alex Browning in the first film. "We’ve brought back Clear in an interesting way and we just felt that to bring both of them back would make you wonder too much just what the hell they’d been doing for the past few months," producer Craig Perry conveyed on developing the cliffhanger of Final Destination. The crew had an option on Sawa to return, hence no financial setbacks was acknowledged. Perry observed Larter's character is more knowledgeable in terms of mentoring the new protagonist. The character has incarcerated herself into isolation, utilizing her as the main link to the original film. The whole casting process had everything to do with narrative, therefore, nothing to do with financial issues or Sawa’s unwillingness to return.[16] Larter was delighted when New Line reinstated her, finding it "great" and "terrific" when they showed her the script and let her have some input.[17] As a result, Sawa's character was killed off-screen in Final Destination 2, as divulged by Clear to Kimberly during their first meeting.[7][16][18][19]

Characterization

Larter defined her part as a girl who has a lot of loss in her life, has fallen into herself, and has made a life within that. She broadened her description as an estranged artist who's holding to her grip for what the world has given her.[6][13] In the original screenplay of James Wong and Glen Morgan, she is described as the loner in the group who wears dark colors against the insecerity of her sex appeal. She appears aloof and more wordly then the other students.[5] Larter donned a brunette hair color through the majority of the film to suit her artist character's gothic leanings. Still, Larter reverted to her original blonde hairdo in the film's ending.[4]

Clear changed drastically in the sequel. Larter indicated that the character has gotten to a hardened place and has tucked herself inside because of the pain she experienced in her life. By having herself committed to a mental hospital, she has created a safehouse to avoid Death.[17][20] In the draft screenplay of J. Mackye Gruber and Eric Bress, she is identified as while still beautiful, the young woman bears few traces of her former self. Her dark and haunted eyes dart around suspiciously, maddened by chronic paranoia. Bordering on savage, her hair is patchy whereas her movements are fidgety, erratic, and distracted by something unseen.[11]

Reception

The relationship between Clear and Alex Browning (Devon Sawa) was positively recognized by reviewers.[21]

Critical response

Clear in Final Destination has received mixed reviews from critics. Joe Leydon of Variety claimed that Larter never seems to be entirely at ease in her part, and finds her one-on-one conversation between Alex "annoyingly jagged" because of attempted editing salvage jobs;[22] while Jami Bernard of the New York Daily News said that Larter plays the only person who believes in Sawa——her name is Clear, which sums up the movie's entire philosophy of character development.[23] John Fallon of JoBlo.com remarked that Larter also holds her own as a strong yet vulnerable character by conveying her underlying sadness perfectly, asserting it as a "step up from the whip cream-bimbo she played in Varsity Blues."[24] Dustin Putman of TheMovieBoy.com praised her as effective;[25] whereas Brett Gallman of Oh, The Horror! commended Larter for upstaging Sawa's performance and carrying the film.[26] Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle noted Larter and Sawa's relationship as appealing as the film progresses.[21]

Similarly, Clear in Final Destination 2 garnered mixed reviews too. Robert Koehler of Variety said that Larter was cast little light;[27] while Putman of TheMovieBoy.com admired that Larter accurately plays Clear as an emotionally worn-down young woman who may still be alive, but realizes that it is only a matter of time before fate has its way with her. Nevertheless, Putman found her performance short.[28] David Grove of Film Threat stated that she spends the whole movie looking miserable with her frigid acting; and criticized her and A. J. Cook as "dumb blonde leads" as well.[29] Despite this, Robin Clifford of Reeling Reviews was favorable to Larter's performance, saying she was giving the smart-ass edge her character needs.[30] Gallman of Oh, The Horror! claimed that Larter is again the bright spot;[31] whereas Andrew Manning of Radio Free Entertainment positively acknowledged her, declaring that Larter rules the movie. Manning argued that while everyone else is merely a hastily assembled caricature without depth, Clear has a well-defined background and history with recognition to her appearance in the first film. He further affirmed that Final Destination fans will see Clear as the heroic franchise veteran.[32]

Accolades

Larter's performance in Final Destination earned her the Young Hollywood Award for a Breakthrough Performance by a Female in 2001.[33] She also obtained a nomination from Blockbuster Entertainment Awards for Favorite Actress in Horror (Internet Only) in the same year.[34]

References

  1. 1 2 Rhodes, Natasha (January 2006). Final Destination I: The Movie. New York: Black Flame. ISBN 1-84416-317-2.
  2. 1 2 Collins, Nancy; Rhodes, Natasha (January 2006). Final Destination II: The Movie. Black Flame. ISBN 1-84416-318-0.
  3. ↑ CBS Interactive Inc., Metacritic. "Critic Reviews for Final Destination at Metacritic". Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  4. 1 2 James Wong (director). Final Destination in IMDb (Motion picture). New York, United States: New Line Cinema. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  5. 1 2 IMSDb. "Final Destination Script at IMSDb". Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  6. 1 2 3 James Wong (director). Final Destination (New Line Platinum Series) (DVD). New York, United States: New Line Cinema. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
  7. 1 2 David R. Ellis (director). Final Destination 2 in IMDb (Motion picture). New York, United States: New Line Cinema. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  8. ↑ David R. Ellis. Final Destination 2 (2003) (DVD). New York, United States: New Line Cinema. Retrieved 29 May 2011.
  9. ↑ David R. Ellis. The Final Destination in IMDb (Motion picture). New York, United States: New Line Cinema. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  10. ↑ Steven Quale. Final Destination 5 in IMDb (Motion picture). New York, United States: New Line Cinema. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  11. 1 2 IMSDb. "Final Destination 2 Script at IMSDb". Retrieved 29 May 2011.
  12. ↑ "Special Feature 'Final Destination': Not So Final After All!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  13. 1 2 James Wong (director). Final Destination: A Look at Test Screening (Videotape / DVD). New York, United States: New Line Cinema.
  14. ↑ SAY Media, SciFiAndTvTalk. "Sci-Fi Blast From The Past - Ali Larter (Heroes)". Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  15. ↑ "Press Book". Angelfire. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  16. 1 2 Film Threat. ""Final Destination 2": No Crash Landing". Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  17. 1 2 IGN Entertainment, Inc., IGN Movies UK. "An Interview with Ali Larter". Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  18. ↑ E.C. McMullen Jr., FeoAmante. "FINAL DESTINATION 2 movie review". FeoAmante. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  19. ↑ Joblo, The Arrow. "The Arrow interviews...David R. Ellis!". The Arrow. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  20. ↑ Culture.com. "Final Destination 2: Production Notes". Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  21. 1 2 LaSalle, Mick (March 17, 2000). "Death, Teens Engage In Immortal Combat `Final Destination' a playful, stylish thriller". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  22. ↑ Leydon, Joe (March 19, 2000). "Review: 'Final Destination – Tepid Teen Thriller'". Variety. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  23. ↑ Bernard, Jami (March 17, 2000). "'Destination' Takes Teen on Downward Spiral". New York Daily News. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  24. ↑ Fallon, John (March 18, 2000). "Arrow In The Head's movie review of Final Destination: Devon Sawa/Alex, Ali Larter/Clear, Kerr Smith/Carter". JoBlo.com. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  25. ↑ Putman, Dustin (March 18, 2000). "Dustin Putman's Review - Final Destination (2000)". TheMovieBoy.com. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  26. ↑ Gallman, Brett (August 13, 2009). "Horror Reviews - Final Destination (2000)". Oh, The Horror!. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  27. ↑ Koehler, Robert (January 26, 2003). "Review: 'Final Destination 2'". Variety. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  28. ↑ Putman, Dustin (February 2, 2003). "Dustin Putman's Review - Final Destination 2 (2003)". TheMovieBoy.com. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  29. ↑ Grove, David (February 5, 2003). "Film Threat - Final Destination 2". Film Threat. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  30. ↑ Clifford, Robin. "Final Destination 2". Reeling Reviews. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  31. ↑ Gallman, Brett (August 16, 2009). "Horror Reviews - Final Destination 2 (2003)". Oh, The Horror!. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  32. ↑ Manning, Andrew (February 2003). "Radio Free Movie Review - Final Destination 2 (2003)". Radio Free Entertainment. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  33. ↑ Fox Broadcasting Company, Young Hollywood Awards. "Young Hollywood Awards Official Website". Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  34. ↑ IMDb, Blockbuster Entertainment Awards. "2001 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards". Retrieved 13 April 2011.

External links

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