Saw V

Starring: Tobin Bell, Lyriq Bent, Angus Macfadyen, Costas Mandylor, Meagan Good, Scott Patterson, Betsy Russell
Directed by: David Hackl
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Thriller
2008

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) takes up the reigns from Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) to continue his sadistic torture devices.

Review:

Tim: I am not entirely sure why this movie was made. It feels like the Saw franchise is running out of steam, having difficulty letting go of its previous success. This film is mostly new footage weaved together with flashbacks scenes, as if the movie is trying to recapture the strengths of the previous movie. This movie almost feels like one of those throwaway sitcom episodes where the characters sit around, talking about old times, just saying enough to set up the next flashback, which are really just excuses to show clips of past episodes. Nothing new or exciting is seen here.

I also have to say I really miss the presence of Tobin Bell. His portrayal of Jigsaw was quite good, and without him (seen only in flashbacks here), there is a large gap that none of the remaining cast members can fill. Saw was definitely about ingenious torture situations, but it was also about Jigsaw. Without Bell, these movies are feeling increasingly pointless.

I will give the movie some credit for continuing the trend of coming up with the latest, innovative torture devices. I am not sure what type of sick people come up with these, but they are frightening to watch on screen. I actually really enjoyed how this film tied all the different traps and torture devices together- it really felt like this movie was intelligently planned out in advance, which I appreciated. This contributed to me liking the movie more than I probably should have. Some of these scenes are quite disturbing and disgusting, but that is what we have come to expect and demand from the Saw franchise. Incidentally, a "saw" makes another appearance here in the most alarming and unforgettable of the killing machines.

While I have no doubt the producers of the Saw franchise can continue to come up with clever torture ideas for years to come, it is really time to shut this franchise down. The absence of Tobin Bell gets larger with each movie, and no amount of new blood can fill Jigsaw's gap. I am sure we'll be "treated" to more of these movies, but without a major infusion of creativity or a reimaging of what a Saw movie is all about, this franchise is only going to continue to get worse.



Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 6



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend:
Saw, Saw II, Saw III, Saw IV