There is a certain problem with the sequels. When we miss the prequel, we get lost in the maze. And if the movie itself is as complex as a maze, there is nothing more to do and while away the 2 hours in racking the brain.
I had seen SAW and SAW II, but missed out on the third part. But I loved the first two versions. The old man sets up a game, the game of life and death. He uses his victims themselves get other victims into the trap. For someone who gets into his trap, has to kill someone else(also in the same trap) or sacrifice some part of their body to get out of the trap. And at the end of the game, another victim gets into another trap! That is how every version of this movie is.
What I liked about SAW and SAW II
The trap the old man sets is itself brilliant. I watch this series for the thrill in that. In the SAW II it is just a dead body in the middle of the room and 3-4 guys in the room. Whole story happens inside the four walls. Also the movie has its own easy pace which lets you to get the idea into your brain. And when it does, makes you skip couple of heart beats in horror. Of course, there was blood, but was bearable. For a thriller, it had a fantastic quality of its own.
SAW IV
The movie starts with an Autopsy! First, they tear the skin on the head and break open the skull. Then the measure his brain’s weight. Then they cut through the ribs and get the small intesting out! And all this while the camera is right in-focus. Awwwwk . nauseating. I threw away the nanchos with jalapenos and salsa. But a terrific start. The old man had died, but sets up his maze to work even after his death!
And from the small intestine what they get is a tape. It is handed over to a detective and the detective is the victim from where the old man’s game starts. Then you get introduced to a whole lot of characters who come in and die in a jiffy, only to beat the speed of dead bodies in Final destination. The trap that used to be so intriguing became predictable and killing methods were boring to the core. And to add more troubles I lost the plot because I had not seen the prequel. Most of the movie did not have anything to do with the third part(as I understood from my friend). But when the character from the third part was introduced, it left me totally confused.
If you are psychic enough to love watching smashed heads, chopped limbs within a overblown plot, this is the movie for you. Vampires may love it. Otherwise, stay away. It was a complete let down from the trademark SAW quality. And when the ending provided scope for another part, I could feel the insincere movie making attempt and the quest to make most money by basking in the success of the prequels. No wonder this one came up within an year since SAW III
What I SAW was only nauseating and confusing.
Cheers,
Envyram