SAW 3D (2010)

Horror Movies and 3D have a long and varied history, going back to the third instalment of the Friday the 13th franchise, and more recently 2008's "My Bloody Valentine 3D". Being all about atmosphere and scares, does this overused tool have a place in this genre? let's take a look and see with SAW VI director Kevin Greutert's final instalment in the most successful horror franchise of all time.

The story begins by recapping the events of the film just previous, telling us the fate of Jigsaw's Apprentice, and revealing that he survived the predicament he was left in at the end of VI. The secondary plot-line running throughout the film is the current player, supposed Jigsaw trap "Survivor" Bobby Dagen (Sean Patrick Flanery) who has released a self help book about his escape, providing inspiration to the masses. The film slowly works it's way through a weak "Cat & Mouse" chase of Jigsaw's apprentice and Internal affairs officer Matt GIbson (Chad Donella) and the Self help author learning his lesson about lies, deceit and how the people around you, knowing you're doing wrong, and yet do nothing are just as much to blame. The film wraps up in the most APT ending to the SAW franchise, a total mind-fuck with an extremely familiar face making an EPIC return to the franchise (if not a little on the chubby side, but then again, look who's talking).

Conclusion: First thing's first, this film SO did not need to be in 3D, although having cost $17 million to make, (the most expensive film in the franchise, but still not a scratch on most of the Hollywood blockbusters this year) I can see why Lionsgate made that move. I resented paying extra for the ticket, as the film felt a tad showy for my liking, also there were some TERRIBLE performances, overacting and hammy delivery a-plenty (though Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington does a very respectible, though short, job of it), also toward the end someone winds up in a trap I truly doubt deserved to be there. The films plot and connections to previous film's were to be commended though, with a truly "big finish" for the franchise I've followed for the past 7 years. this one actually managed to make me CRINGE with it's traps (fish hook... you'll know when you see it) something the previous instalments had rare success with, the whole thing was just a lot of fun to watch, when taken with a big pinch of salt. 7/10

To end my Saw-a-thon, It took a long time to get here, while V and VI felt the most contrived, the series was by no means BAD, while they could (and probably SHOULD) have stopped the series earlier, it has been this generations shining star in the genre, Michael Myers, Leatherface, Freddy Krueger and Jason all tried to resurface, but their time was done, and the 2000's belonged to Jigsaw. Epic finale to a franchise that's amazing to watch this time of year, it made us think, made us Cringe, and opened up a new door for low budget ULTRA shock/gore films (A-la Hostel and The Collector). So, in the words of Jigsaw all the way back from SAW (2004) "You are still alive. Most people are so ungrateful to be alive. But not you. Not anymore. " GAME OVER.

SAW VI (2009)

After V, I, like most was left disheartened with the franchise, the twist wasn't very good and it asked so many more questions, so there was a lot riding on this sixth instalment, did IV & V writers Melton and Dunstan deliver? we shall see.

"SAW the sixth" starts a little differently, for the first time in the franchise, SAW DOES CURRENT AFFAIRS! that's right! in the opening "trap" we have two bankers (who irresponsibly gave loans to those who could never pay them back), have to quite literally give their "pound of flesh" in order to survive, I'm sure I wasn't the only one to get a kick out of that, the winner however doesn't seem fully "appreciative" of the life they got away with. the bulk of the film however, continues the escapades of SAW's partner in crime (again, I don't want to ruin it so I won't say who it is) and how they are dealing with increasing suspicion, also we inter-cut to a health insurance broker who has denied hundreds claims to health insurance (one of them being Jigsaw) and is seemingly out of touch with the value of human life, again a hot topic at the time of release (fall 2009). the film winds and winds, and manages, with it's finale, to encompass scenes way back when from III, and brings the current situation into light with a satisfying (though not brilliant) pay-off.

In the scheme of thing's. I would consider myself a fan of Kevin Greutert's first film in the franchise, it's two major flaws are that
1) I'm not convinced a thriller/horror franchise, 6 films in, is the best way to make a topical statement about the government and economics (though there was plenty of satisfaction to be had watching someone who preyed on the financially fragile having to hack off their own belly fat).
and 2) It had to clean up after V, that film was sort of a watery set up for this one, which it should never be, the first four did a good job of encompassing the previous instalments while being self contained (though it would help to see what came before).

Conclusion: VI, more so than the rest of the series has to be seen in context of the franchise, but a HUGE improvement on it's direct predecessor 6/10