After working in a cinema for 5 years and being there for the first 5 films, you might be able to understand my reluctance to believe that this film will be any good. I was a huge fan of the first 2 installments. Both had riveting story lines, interesting characters, brilliant twists and gruesome traps. However, as the series has gone on I have started to notice that there is a lot less of the interesting characters. And the brilliant twists. Oh...and the riveting story lines. But that still leaves the gruesome traps. Each new film ushers in a new age of utterly pointless gore; and not even in the good way. I guess it speaks a lot that this is the first in the series that I couldn't be bothered going to see in the cinema. Up until the last I had made sure I would see all of them, but enough is enough.The film revolves around the wife of the Jigsaw being given a box that contains some pictures of people that have to be kidnapped. With the help of one of Jigsaw's disciples all people are captured and put into their traps. The paper thin plot that this film has is shown in full when you realize the utterly tenuous links of the people involved. Interestingly enough, all of the films interlink to form a rich tapestry of a plot, twisting left, right and centre to try and through you off. Unfortunately the writing became far more fanciful than it originally was. Opting for the completely surreal traps, rather than the gritty, brutality that made the series great.
The acting is probably one of the saving graces of the entire film; cause I will tell you, it sure as hell ain't the writing. I love Tobin Bell as Jigsaw. He is convincing, scary, ruthless and very matter-of-fact. His look is extremely menacing, and despite the fact he died in the series third installment, he has been continually used to fill in the back story for the character. I find it such a shame that such a brilliantly written character has to be dragged through such piss poor stories. At least they are keeping things consistent, and at best managing to keep the whole story work. Regardless of its ridiculousness.
Ultimately, the Saw series has been getting steadily worse. This film is actually a little better than the third and fourth, and about on par with the fifth. For my money they are going to have to do a lot more with the next film. Rumors are that it is going to be in 3D! Please don't let the exclamation point fool you, I am skeptical at best. Would be great to get the original team back onto the series, rather than slapping their names in the credits as Executive Producers. I didn't hate it, I just mourn the loss of a film series that had far greater potential.
Rating:
2 out of 5
See it if you liked:
Hostel
Saw IV
Saw V
What does IMDB say?
