The very first Saw movie directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell was actually both innovative and highly original. It was not only that, but it was also: Interesting, Stunningly well written, full of rich characters and darkly humorous. Most importantly of all, it was Clever! It was an intelligent movie, drawing most of its horror from physiological impact of the dark world it creates and a twist sharper than Germans Helmet. And icing the already heart attack inducing cake is the lead character "Adam" played by writer Leigh Whannell. Adam is what every script writer should look at as the example of the perfect character. He is a cowardly, money hungry, voyeur, with deep flaws, but when push comes he is generally a good person... Just like... ooh lets say, every person you walk next to on the street. All of these factors add together to make, one of the greatest films ever made, a spiritual successor to any Hitchcock horror.
Then Saw 2 Happened... Dropping interesting, generally good, but deeply flawed characters for a room full of dicks who would let a dog eat a babies face, because they're too scared they'll get a scratch. Sure both Adam and his supporting lead, Lawrence Gordon were cowards, but they were never stupidly cowardly, nor stupidly suicidal. This new batch seemed to be intent on leaping into every death trap that presents itself, a bit like Lemmings, but not as intelligent. The story suffers a concussion also become rapidly less interesting throughout the script ending up at a half hearted attempt at a twist anyone with half a retarded brain cell with cancer could have seen coming. This brings me onto my next point however... the hallmark of a Saw film... the twist. Every Saw film ends with a plot twist, I mean seriously, you're worse then M. Night Shamalan for gods sake. Just because Plot twists are a useful technique for keeping a viewer interested, they don't have to appear. Its not mandatory. Just because you made a genuinely jaw dropping twist once, doesn't automatically mean that every film has to include a lacklustre attempt to do the same, every (FUCKING) time.
Saw 3 is a further disappointment. It presents some interesting morale points about forgiveness and moving on, but sort of mulls over them instead choosing to focus on increasingly more and more disgusting death games. The point it tries to present is also missed because of an extremely poor cast. There is of course Tobin Bell reprising his role of Jigsaw and of course being the most interesting character on screen. And also returning is Jigsaws Apprentice, Amanda played by Shawnee Smith. Watching Miss Smith Play a Sadistic Serial Killer is odd for me, because the first time I ever saw her act was in the sitcom Becker, as air-headed secretary Linda. It's a bit like watching Leslie Neilsen in his earlier, more serious roles. The films high point is at the end when lead character Jeff is given the choice to either Kill Jigsaw for what he has done to him, or let go and learn to forgive. Jeff of course does what any normal person would have done and cuts his throat (Albeit in a very brutal fashion). But really the rest of it is an at best, average, gore feast.
Saw 4 is a movie I found myself strangely apathetic towards. This is probably because I was so disappointed that the franchise actually got to the number 4. So I am going to explain my feeling for this movie in the same number of sentences as the number at the end of the title (Not entirely sure that made grammatical sense, so I'm going to explain my feelings for the movie in 4 sentences). Poor story with a twist you can see a mile off. Terrible acting from a cast mostly recycled from saw 3, just given larger roles. More gore than every Tarintino movie put together. And finally, it fucks up the time line between Saw 3 and itself massively.
I didn't watch Saw 5 nor do I intend to ever watch it, because I'm convinced its going to be exactly the same drivel that Saw 4 was and when Saw 6 comes out I'm convinced its going to follow the same trend.
The point of this rant on the saw franchise is really to highlight a point about indie films in mainstream. If an indie film presents an interesting idea with innovative features that, if given the funding, will change the way we think about making cinema is put before a Production company... It will be ignored. If that same Indie film is made by a lesser known producer and becomes a whirlwind success, it will be bayed after like a uncovered leg to a horny dog. I'm glad saw never moved from Liongate studios, because unlike fox, dreamworks etc... They generally give new film makers a chance to be well funded and make a really good film Like Crank and Repo: The genetic Opera. So really the Saw franchise is important because it brings in the cash for Liongate so they can afford to make new and interesting films. But that dose not detract from the fact that Saw... You have broken my heart...
Then Saw 2 Happened... Dropping interesting, generally good, but deeply flawed characters for a room full of dicks who would let a dog eat a babies face, because they're too scared they'll get a scratch. Sure both Adam and his supporting lead, Lawrence Gordon were cowards, but they were never stupidly cowardly, nor stupidly suicidal. This new batch seemed to be intent on leaping into every death trap that presents itself, a bit like Lemmings, but not as intelligent. The story suffers a concussion also become rapidly less interesting throughout the script ending up at a half hearted attempt at a twist anyone with half a retarded brain cell with cancer could have seen coming. This brings me onto my next point however... the hallmark of a Saw film... the twist. Every Saw film ends with a plot twist, I mean seriously, you're worse then M. Night Shamalan for gods sake. Just because Plot twists are a useful technique for keeping a viewer interested, they don't have to appear. Its not mandatory. Just because you made a genuinely jaw dropping twist once, doesn't automatically mean that every film has to include a lacklustre attempt to do the same, every (FUCKING) time.
Saw 3 is a further disappointment. It presents some interesting morale points about forgiveness and moving on, but sort of mulls over them instead choosing to focus on increasingly more and more disgusting death games. The point it tries to present is also missed because of an extremely poor cast. There is of course Tobin Bell reprising his role of Jigsaw and of course being the most interesting character on screen. And also returning is Jigsaws Apprentice, Amanda played by Shawnee Smith. Watching Miss Smith Play a Sadistic Serial Killer is odd for me, because the first time I ever saw her act was in the sitcom Becker, as air-headed secretary Linda. It's a bit like watching Leslie Neilsen in his earlier, more serious roles. The films high point is at the end when lead character Jeff is given the choice to either Kill Jigsaw for what he has done to him, or let go and learn to forgive. Jeff of course does what any normal person would have done and cuts his throat (Albeit in a very brutal fashion). But really the rest of it is an at best, average, gore feast.
Saw 4 is a movie I found myself strangely apathetic towards. This is probably because I was so disappointed that the franchise actually got to the number 4. So I am going to explain my feeling for this movie in the same number of sentences as the number at the end of the title (Not entirely sure that made grammatical sense, so I'm going to explain my feelings for the movie in 4 sentences). Poor story with a twist you can see a mile off. Terrible acting from a cast mostly recycled from saw 3, just given larger roles. More gore than every Tarintino movie put together. And finally, it fucks up the time line between Saw 3 and itself massively.
I didn't watch Saw 5 nor do I intend to ever watch it, because I'm convinced its going to be exactly the same drivel that Saw 4 was and when Saw 6 comes out I'm convinced its going to follow the same trend.
The point of this rant on the saw franchise is really to highlight a point about indie films in mainstream. If an indie film presents an interesting idea with innovative features that, if given the funding, will change the way we think about making cinema is put before a Production company... It will be ignored. If that same Indie film is made by a lesser known producer and becomes a whirlwind success, it will be bayed after like a uncovered leg to a horny dog. I'm glad saw never moved from Liongate studios, because unlike fox, dreamworks etc... They generally give new film makers a chance to be well funded and make a really good film Like Crank and Repo: The genetic Opera. So really the Saw franchise is important because it brings in the cash for Liongate so they can afford to make new and interesting films. But that dose not detract from the fact that Saw... You have broken my heart...