Saw IV still scary
Saw IV
Some critics are of the opinion that the Saw franchise trademark ought to have expired by now, along with the irksome tradition of rewriting the last film while making the next one. Personally, I agree. Saw IV is, like so many other follow-ups inspired by commerce rather than creativity, a film sustained exclusively on hideous dismemberments and absurd twists, thus oblivious to the demands of both logic and continuity.
In the fourth Saw installment Jigsaw and his apprentice Amanda are dead, however, he is still killing people left and right (?!)
Upon the news of Detective Kerry's murder, two seasoned FBI profilers, Agent Strahm (Scott Patterson) and Agent Perez, arrive at the depleted police precinct and help veteran Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) sift through Jigsaw's latest grizzly game of victims and piece together the puzzle. However, when SWAT Commander Rigg, the last officer untouched by Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), is suddenly abducted and thrust into the madman's harrowing game, the officer has but 90 minutes to overcome a series of interconnected traps, or face the deadly consequences.
Rigg's citywide pursuit leaves a wake of dead bodies, while Detective Hoffman, along with the FBI, uncover long hidden clues that lead them back to Jigsaw's ex-wife Jill (Betsy Russell). The genesis of Jigsaw's evil is unveiled, exposing the puppet master's true intentions and the sinister plan for his past, present and future victims.
To those of you who haven't watched any of the preceding parts of Saw (i.e. Saw 1, II and III), don't bother seeing Saw IV as this might take you awhile to either figure out the background plot in the new pic, or leave you completely clueless!
Interestingly, there are a few things that have helped differentiate Saw movies in a rather highly saturated horror market. Firstly, its persistent use of graphic gores; secondly, it's diabolically twisted logic; and thirdly, the star that plays the frenzied genius at its core.
Bell is an absolutely remarkable character to watch on screen, but although he tries to instill the flashbacks in Saw IV, with much intensity, it is hardly the most outstanding use of his talents.
As for the torture scenes, they are neither as complex as they were in Saw II, or as arbitrarily obscene as they were in Saw III. Don't get the wrong idea: you'll still find plenty of blood and guts (literally, of course), along with the sporadic scalping or impalement. Those who've stuck with Jigsaw all the way through may want more from their philosopher madman, or rather his newly introduced unknown accomplice. The ending however indicates that they'll get another chance next Halloween.
Sadly, thus, the death trap may be rusty, but as long as it keeps producing fresh blood, it's not likely to slam shut anytime soon.
Some critics are of the opinion that the Saw franchise trademark ought to have expired by now, along with the irksome tradition of rewriting the last film while making the next one. Personally, I agree. Saw IV is, like so many other follow-ups inspired by commerce rather than creativity, a film sustained exclusively on hideous dismemberments and absurd twists, thus oblivious to the demands of both logic and continuity.
In the fourth Saw installment Jigsaw and his apprentice Amanda are dead, however, he is still killing people left and right (?!)
Upon the news of Detective Kerry's murder, two seasoned FBI profilers, Agent Strahm (Scott Patterson) and Agent Perez, arrive at the depleted police precinct and help veteran Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) sift through Jigsaw's latest grizzly game of victims and piece together the puzzle. However, when SWAT Commander Rigg, the last officer untouched by Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), is suddenly abducted and thrust into the madman's harrowing game, the officer has but 90 minutes to overcome a series of interconnected traps, or face the deadly consequences.
Rigg's citywide pursuit leaves a wake of dead bodies, while Detective Hoffman, along with the FBI, uncover long hidden clues that lead them back to Jigsaw's ex-wife Jill (Betsy Russell). The genesis of Jigsaw's evil is unveiled, exposing the puppet master's true intentions and the sinister plan for his past, present and future victims.
To those of you who haven't watched any of the preceding parts of Saw (i.e. Saw 1, II and III), don't bother seeing Saw IV as this might take you awhile to either figure out the background plot in the new pic, or leave you completely clueless!
Interestingly, there are a few things that have helped differentiate Saw movies in a rather highly saturated horror market. Firstly, its persistent use of graphic gores; secondly, it's diabolically twisted logic; and thirdly, the star that plays the frenzied genius at its core.
Bell is an absolutely remarkable character to watch on screen, but although he tries to instill the flashbacks in Saw IV, with much intensity, it is hardly the most outstanding use of his talents.
As for the torture scenes, they are neither as complex as they were in Saw II, or as arbitrarily obscene as they were in Saw III. Don't get the wrong idea: you'll still find plenty of blood and guts (literally, of course), along with the sporadic scalping or impalement. Those who've stuck with Jigsaw all the way through may want more from their philosopher madman, or rather his newly introduced unknown accomplice. The ending however indicates that they'll get another chance next Halloween.
Sadly, thus, the death trap may be rusty, but as long as it keeps producing fresh blood, it's not likely to slam shut anytime soon.
