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Saw V – Movie Review

• Directed By David Hackl
• Written By Patrick Melton & Marcus Dunstan
• Starring: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Scott Patterson, Betsy Russell, Julie Benz

The Saw franchise is something we haven’t seen since the classic horror films of the late 70, early 80s with the likes of Nightmare on Elm Street and Halloween. It isn’t very often that a series of films will keep making more money than the last for little to no budget increase but Saw has done that. Saw V (five) is the so called penultimate in the new style of horror franchise. One would be convinced that Saw is a one trick pony and in some respects they would be correct. The use of traps and puzzles and the gory ends of the initially unwitting participants are what the films are renowned for. The thing that gets me to keep watching isn’t the puzzles, but the story of Jigsaw, the mastermind. I am constantly amazed at the writing of this series and Saw V doesn’t disappoint.

The film opens with the required puzzle which has a unfortunate man strapped to a table with a pendulum ready to slowly chop him in half if he doesn’t destroy his hands which are trapped in vices. The guy loses, but you don’t expect anything less. We then jump to where Saw IV left off with Jigsaw dead on a table, Hoffman has escaped and agent Peter Strahm is still trapped but is clever enough to survive. We then drive into the investigation on Jigsaw’s motives and how he could accomplish so much as a man with terminal cancer.

The film brings in the next set of victims as required for it to be a Saw flick and the investigation is underway. Personally I find the puzzles interesting but nothing gripping enough for keep me watching. The investigation and learning how Jigsaw put his plans into motion is the thing that keeps me in the seat. I am sure the guys who wrote the original saw didn’t have a clue past the first film but the mythos and clever storytelling has made this one of the most standout horror franchises that I can remember.

The beauty of this film is that it takes you right back to the first film and seeing Jigsaw grabbing the victims and setting up the traps. We learn that he wasn’t alone in setting up the traps and there is more than one person involved. Tobin Bell has been elevated to the levels of Freddie Kruger and Mike Myers but something more in my opinion. Normally giving the back story of a psycho dispels all the mystery but in Saw we see Jigsaw not just as a madman but also a tragic figure. The horror is that he wants people to appreciate life but it’s like putting a 10 year old in front of a Guinea Pig film.

I didn’t except much from Saw V but was pleasantly (or unpleasantly) surprised and would recommend anyone that has enjoyed the first four films to make sure that you get to this one. I feel the trip down to hell is worth the effort.

Saw V is now available to buy at Amazon.com

Thanks to Entertainme.com.au for the review copy.

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