I've never been a fan of the Saw series. I was never really interested in it, but after the first one got so many praise upon it's release, I decided I'd check it out for myself. Saw (and it's fellow sequels) was packed with enough gore and violence as one could hope for in a horror film, but these movies lacked the fun experience the Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm St, or any of the other big name horror franchises left you with. Jigsaw is a character very much of his time, just as Dracula, Norman Bates and Freddy Krueger were of theirs. And his sinister m.o. of byzantine traps and warped morality (inspired strongly by the previous decade's Seven) definitely touched a nerve with audiences.
Review: When it comes down to things, all that really matters in a horror movie is the gore. Audiences only see these films for the strikingly realistic (yet excessively over-the-top) depictions of violence. At this point, that's all you should really come to expect from movies of this specific genre, especially this far into a franchise. All originality goes out the window for the filmmakers to focus on the scenes that really hit a high note with the viewers. Just to get that reaction from somebody in the audience, and then they know it was all worth it. Not that that's a bad thing, after all horror movies are ment to scare you, right? There maid to disturb and unsettle you, correct? There not made to earn acclaim with critics, whom generally chew them up and spit them out in their reviews. Nobody should expect nothing more from them besides a few cheap thrills. If this is your general take on the current state of horror films, then while watching the latest Saw movie you shouldn't find yourself surprised at the films outcome. Because, in the long run, that's basically all this film is: a tongue-in-cheek misfire attempt at a modern gore flick. And I liked it.
Like I've said before, I don't like the Saw movies. I didn't care for the first two, didn't mind the third, and strongly disliked the fourth and fifth entries in the flawed series. I didn't find them original, I didn't find them striking or intelligent horror films, nor did I find them to be as gruesome or vile as everyone suggests. And, unlike Hostel - the other sought after master of the 'torture porn' sub-genre - it's just not a fun movie to watch. Not that it's disturbing or anything, but lets just say it just lacks the fun of watching Jason stalk and kill his prey in some original and unorthodox manner. Surly I'll admit that some of the torture devices on display are gruesome and creative, and I love watching the helpless victim lacking the ability to do the required tasks - often relating to extensive self mutilation and bloodshed - and thus get out alive. But we sat through five movies prior (and even a video-game) and seen as much of these traps as needed, so what's the generated appeal of a another entry to the series?
Well, the appeal is to see some more of that aforementioned bloodshed and self-mutilation. I didn't expect much out of this movie at first, because of my opinions on the previous films, but after renting this on good old Blu Ray my opinions have changed. I don't know if it was due to my low expectations for this film, but after viewing it I realized it wasn't that bad of a movie on it's own. I for one haven't much of a clue about the series storyline, after all the lead killer has been dead for a few movies now, but even as a stand alone film Saw VI is a half decent horrorshow. Easily the best sequel in the series and possibly the best Saw yet (well that's if you don't consider the first one to be as fantastic as so called 'horror-fans' consider it to be).
verdict:
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