The "Retro Game Reviews" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
Still here? Then let the games begin.
Another year passes by and that means another gore-filled Saw has hit the screens. Being someone who has stuck through the series since the original I had to see how the story would continue. Having opened last week earlier than the usual Halloween release date does the fifth instalment keep things exciting or is it simply running out of ideas?
What I like about the series is that characters who at one point play minor roles before, in later movies take a step up to lead role. We already know who they are and now we get to learn more about them. Saw V picks up right where the fourth left off and then we then focus on Agent Strahm (who appeared in last year’s movie) looking to solve the mystery of Jigsaw’s new apprentice once and for all. Whilst this is going on Hoffman (the new Jigsaw) is busy trying to tie up all the loose ends that lead the killings to him. Throw in five randomers who find themselves in a series of traps that test them physically and mentally and there you have the three stories going on here.
But where exactly does Jigsaw come into this. After all he is dead. While last year the way he was implemented was quite clever with the odd flashback and the fact the movie is happening at the same time as Saw III (confusing I know) this time it’s strictly to a series of simple flashbacks. While not as impressive it’s hard to deny how big an impact Tobin Bell has whilst on screen and every scene he appears is enjoyable to watch. How he will be included again next year in Saw VI is unknown but surely we’ve had enough flashbacks. There can’t be any more to tell can there?
Acting in the movie is fairly solid minus a few moments of cheesiness and inappropriate joking around. Sorry but if you’re in a life or death situation you’re not going to make a jokey comment. (I’m looking at you druggy!) Other than that though it’s up to a decent standard for a horror flick.
What a lot of people compare the cuts and camera work to in the Saw movies is a Nine Inch Nails video. It’s all very MTV. I can see why people say that and while it does work well for the movie’s torturous style sometimes it’s a little overdone. Watch the final game for the group of five involving saws and you’ll see what I mean. It gets a little too much. Quick flashes are fine but in smaller doses. However the trap with Agent Strahm and his head in a glass box is beautifully done and deserves a special mention.
What I thought was a neat addition in this movie was Agent Strahm actually visiting some of the locations of past traps from previous movies. Fans will more than likely enjoy this too. Using a combination of impressive cuts and several flashbacks not only was it a nice trip down memory lane, but it also showed a different perspective of Jigsaw and Hoffman setting up the particular traps and how the unlucky gamer was caught. What wasn’t so good however was the execution of these scenes. Whenever Strahm is going about his investigation alone, he ends up talking to himself asking questions which then cue a flashback. If this had happened once then fine but it happens time after time and just seems lazy.
There are two reasons why I watch the Saw movies and they are firstly the traps and then the twist at the end of the movie. Does this film deliver on those fronts? Well the traps definitely do. Each one we come across is as imaginative or if not more so than in previous films and watching them has you on the edge of your seat or if you were like my friend covering you face with your hands in disgust. We get to see swinging blades, circular saws and electrical currents put to interesting and painful results. That’s why fans love the series and those people won’t be disappointed. And you'll never look at a table saw in the same way again!
As for the twist ending which the franchise has made a name for itself now, there are two of them and while the initial one focusing on the five strangers in their “group” trap is a little too easy to see coming, the grand finale with Hoffman and Strahm fairs slightly better. It isn’t the best of the series but certainly had more impact than the third or confusing forth.
You’re going to enjoy this movie a lot more if you’ve seen the other four. In fact I advise anyone who sees this to watch the past movies. You’ll pick up on every nod and reference to Saws I through IV and it’s great fun to watch.
Bottom line is Saw V doesn’t do anything new with the formula. There’s plenty of gore, plenty of traps and a twist or two here and there. Fans I’m sure will be satisfied with this entry to the series but people who hated the movies aren’t going to rush out to see this. Not the best Saw but by far not the worst.
Will have to pick up the previous Saws on DVD. Should be able to get them cheap now.
The new Saw film explains a lot of concepts about all the previous films. For instance you learn that Hoffman's killing of his girlfriends boyfriend took place before the first ever Saw film as he was the original pupil. It also explains that Saw 3,4 and 5 are happening at exactly the same time, As Agent Strahm figures out throughout the film. Basically the film is over before it even starts because the tape that Agent Strahm finds says that he should proceed no further and yet come the end of the film when he is confronted with the glass box and refuses to get inside the last tape explains that he should have learnt enough to trust him. Detective Hoffman knew very well that Agent Strahm would not trust him at all therefore even though he stuck to Jigsaw's rules of the game he knew that eventually Agent Strahm would die inside that room. Now onto Saw VI that is due for release October 2009. Many people will be thinking what can the creators do next. Well it's quite simple really. First of all it would be wise to revert back to the very beginning and explain why 'Billy' the demonic doll is used and why the red tricycle which have very little understanding or mentioning throughout the other 5 films. In my opinion the main plot to Saw VI will be the testing of Mark Hoffman. If you remember back to the beginning of Saw IV when he listens to the tape hidden inside Jigsaw's intestines it reveals that he will not go untested even though he worked for Jigsaw originally in the first place. That is why in Saw V you are not told what is inside the box given to Jill Tuck by Jigsaw. The clip where Mark Hoffman is trapped and shown the true meaning behind Jigsaw's methods in Saw V explains my theory as he says that he has the evidence to put Hoffman away for good. Therefore in my opinion the box that is in Jill Tuck's possession contains the evidence that it was Mark Hoffman working for Jigsaw all along and the plans on how to truly test him. Saw VI will be all about the testing of Mark Hoffman. This might be completely wrong but I have done a lot of thinking about this plot and it seems pretty logical. Hope you have enjoyed reading.
Still here? Then let the games begin.
Another year passes by and that means another gore-filled Saw has hit the screens. Being someone who has stuck through the series since the original I had to see how the story would continue. Having opened last week earlier than the usual Halloween release date does the fifth instalment keep things exciting or is it simply running out of ideas?
What I like about the series is that characters who at one point play minor roles before, in later movies take a step up to lead role. We already know who they are and now we get to learn more about them. Saw V picks up right where the fourth left off and then we then focus on Agent Strahm (who appeared in last year’s movie) looking to solve the mystery of Jigsaw’s new apprentice once and for all. Whilst this is going on Hoffman (the new Jigsaw) is busy trying to tie up all the loose ends that lead the killings to him. Throw in five randomers who find themselves in a series of traps that test them physically and mentally and there you have the three stories going on here.
But where exactly does Jigsaw come into this. After all he is dead. While last year the way he was implemented was quite clever with the odd flashback and the fact the movie is happening at the same time as Saw III (confusing I know) this time it’s strictly to a series of simple flashbacks. While not as impressive it’s hard to deny how big an impact Tobin Bell has whilst on screen and every scene he appears is enjoyable to watch. How he will be included again next year in Saw VI is unknown but surely we’ve had enough flashbacks. There can’t be any more to tell can there?
Acting in the movie is fairly solid minus a few moments of cheesiness and inappropriate joking around. Sorry but if you’re in a life or death situation you’re not going to make a jokey comment. (I’m looking at you druggy!) Other than that though it’s up to a decent standard for a horror flick.
What a lot of people compare the cuts and camera work to in the Saw movies is a Nine Inch Nails video. It’s all very MTV. I can see why people say that and while it does work well for the movie’s torturous style sometimes it’s a little overdone. Watch the final game for the group of five involving saws and you’ll see what I mean. It gets a little too much. Quick flashes are fine but in smaller doses. However the trap with Agent Strahm and his head in a glass box is beautifully done and deserves a special mention.
What I thought was a neat addition in this movie was Agent Strahm actually visiting some of the locations of past traps from previous movies. Fans will more than likely enjoy this too. Using a combination of impressive cuts and several flashbacks not only was it a nice trip down memory lane, but it also showed a different perspective of Jigsaw and Hoffman setting up the particular traps and how the unlucky gamer was caught. What wasn’t so good however was the execution of these scenes. Whenever Strahm is going about his investigation alone, he ends up talking to himself asking questions which then cue a flashback. If this had happened once then fine but it happens time after time and just seems lazy.
There are two reasons why I watch the Saw movies and they are firstly the traps and then the twist at the end of the movie. Does this film deliver on those fronts? Well the traps definitely do. Each one we come across is as imaginative or if not more so than in previous films and watching them has you on the edge of your seat or if you were like my friend covering you face with your hands in disgust. We get to see swinging blades, circular saws and electrical currents put to interesting and painful results. That’s why fans love the series and those people won’t be disappointed. And you'll never look at a table saw in the same way again!
As for the twist ending which the franchise has made a name for itself now, there are two of them and while the initial one focusing on the five strangers in their “group” trap is a little too easy to see coming, the grand finale with Hoffman and Strahm fairs slightly better. It isn’t the best of the series but certainly had more impact than the third or confusing forth.
You’re going to enjoy this movie a lot more if you’ve seen the other four. In fact I advise anyone who sees this to watch the past movies. You’ll pick up on every nod and reference to Saws I through IV and it’s great fun to watch.
Bottom line is Saw V doesn’t do anything new with the formula. There’s plenty of gore, plenty of traps and a twist or two here and there. Fans I’m sure will be satisfied with this entry to the series but people who hated the movies aren’t going to rush out to see this. Not the best Saw but by far not the worst.