Here's my review of SAW V.
SAW V
Starring: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Scott Patterson, Betsy Russell, and Julie Benz
Release Date: October 24th, 2008
Directed by: David Hackl
Another Saw film has arrived for the usual October/Halloween time film release. I don't think anyone ever thought this franchise would branch into five films and into an upcoming sixth film, but what's to be said with it? These films are very, very cheap to make and they make their budget back mainly on opening night and the weekend.
The first Saw film turned out to be a sleeper hit that no one expected to do well, in fact, it gained popularity when word got around that the ending is one of the best in cinema history. It's modest budget allowed it to make its money back and release a second sequel, a third sequel, a fourth sequel, and of course this fifth sequel that will ultimately lead it to a sixth and final film. Let it be known that I do agree with people who say it should've stopped at three. As much as I love these films, I have to say that three would've been the perfect time to stop and let it rest before starting again. But with that said, I can honestly say that this one, in my opinion, is one of the stronger movies in the franchise and I rank it up there with the first film.
When you see the first one you don't see much gore or violence, but when the gore happens it's ultimately in your face and doesn't relent whatsoever. The sequels capitalized on that notion and while the stories remained strong, the gore and the violence became more frequent and the traps were all over the place pretty much. In this one it's more of a return to what made the first film so good and unique, relying more on characters, the story, and the concepts rather than trying to display the most creative ways to kill a person.
Saw V starts off immediately where the fourth film left off and dives more into the psychology of Jigsaw and Hoffman. This is definitely the story of Hoffman and why he became Jigsaw's follower. I happened to like where the story took place, where it went, and how it tied everything together. However there were and are certain aspects I really didn't like about it, but I also understand that it made sense for the story and was more realistic in general. I was more of a fan of the mystery of Jigsaw and I liked the idea of leaving how he got the victims to your imagination. Some things are best left unsaid obviously, yet it still didn't hurt the film at all.
The acting is a bit eh at times. The best performances are Tobin Bell, Scott Patterson, and Costas Mandylor. They make you believe their characters and by the time it's over you really, really hate Hoffman because he's a sneaky individual.
The twist ending? Some friends of mine didn't like the ending and I know a lot of other people didn't. To be honest the ending is one of those elements you have to see for yourself. Either you hate it, like it, or love it. There's no other way I can really break it down to you except see it for yourself. Since this is my review and it's my opinion, I'll tell you what I thought of the ending. The ending isn't as great or as shocking as the first film, but then again, what twist will be able to top that one? Twists like that only happen once and it's very rare that it can be duplicated. Saw has managed to have twist endings that surprise you time and time again. But none of them are as shocking or as unique as the first film and it's not a bad thing. Sometimes it's in a filmmakers or writers best interest not to try and top greatness. I liked the ending and it made sense for the direction that the sixth film will take. As I said, it definitely makes you hate Hoffman by the time it's over and Costas Mandylor really captured the arrogance of the character.
The traps aren't the main focus of the film as they were in the past sequels. There's five traps or six if you count the last one, though the only one that is REALLY gorey is the first trap and the box of spinning razors. But as I said before this film is more focused on the characters, the story, and the past more so than the gore and the violence.
One of the things I did love about it is how they took you back and showed you moments from the first Saw. I think those who hated the movie will agree that it was nice to go back and see it from the beginning again.
Tobin Bell gives another strong performance as Jigsaw and you understand him more after he has his first confrontation with Hoffman and takes him under his wing. He has a warped sense of justice, however, you understand where he's coming from with his thinking. But of course Tobin is always going to give a great performance since this is HIS character and he's become something of a horror icon himself.
Scott Patterson reprises his role as Agent Peter Strahm and he's even better in this one. He's definitely a strong character who I feel is the ultimate badass honestly. When you see what he does to himself to get out of the box trap it made me cringe and wince it was just unexpected.
A lot of past stories and character arcs are closed in this film as well. You see closure on characters who haven't been seen since the first film like Danny Glover's character, you find out other characters from the fourth film didn't make it, and while there is a certain character who hasn't been seen at all since the first film it makes you wonder when will they bring him in. I will say that in order to understand this one you have to watch all of them because you will be lost if you don't.
Overall I really, really liked the film. I just hope that the sixth will be the last one and they can put it to rest because there's no other way you can continue the story after the sixth film. It should be the end once for all when October of 2009 rolls around. If they extend this to a seventh, eighth, ninth, or a tenth film then it will be one of the worst things they can do because Saw isn't Michael, Jason, Freddy, or Hellraiser.
In the end I liked it and I recommend it. But as I said, it's basically your decision and you have to decide whether or not you like the story and the ending. You have to see it for yourself and while I'm not some almighty movie critic, I can honestly say that I think this one should be ranked up there with the first Saw.