Saw Franchise
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- DirectorJames WanStarsCary ElwesLeigh WhannellDanny GloverTwo strangers awaken in a room with no recollection of how they got there, and soon discover they're pawns in a deadly game perpetrated by a notorious serial killer.I expected horror, but I was not disappointed not to see one. I saw something much better. Intelligent and original psycho-thriller. Story is strong, twists are excellent, and torture and gore scenes are carefully measured, purposefully placed and they do not cross the line of tastelessness at any point. Surprise factor has big role in this movie and knowing how movie ends spoiled it to me pretty much. If you didn't see it yet, I strongly recommend you to avoid trailers, reviews and any other potential spoilers. Maybe I would rate it higher if I was shocked by surprising twists, but anyway, I think that most realistic rate would be one strong
8/10 - DirectorDarren Lynn BousmanStarsDonnie WahlbergBeverley MitchellFranky GA detective and his team must rescue 8 people trapped in a factory by the twisted serial killer known as Jigsaw.Movie has some really dull moments and its concentrated more on people panicking than on solving new puzzles and that disappointed me a little. At the other hand, it has some advantages to previous one. While in first movie Jigsaw appears just briefly, in second we have a chance to enjoy great performance of Tobin Bell. Twist at the end, that's maybe even better than in prequel, revels to us a puzzle more complex than last year's. Idea on which movie is based is better than one from previous movie, but realization is weaker. Overall, Saw II is somewhat weaker than its prequel, but still within solid eight.
8/10 - DirectorDarren Lynn BousmanStarsTobin BellShawnee SmithAngus MacfadyenJigsaw abducts a doctor in order to keep himself alive while he watches his new apprentice put an unlucky citizen named Jeff through a brutal test.I loved first movie. I am aware that sequels are often worse than original, but I expected them to stick to formula that worked so well in first movie, so even if sequels have no quality they would at least be fun. I saw second Saw that pretty much keep up with first one and I could not wait to see more. I never expected such unpleasant surprise. I knew this franchise will in time most probably lose some of its awesomeness, but such drastic drop in quality between two contiguous movies really surprised me. Saw III is not so bad by itself, but in comparison with first two this is complete catastrophe. First, it is boring. Few scenes twist stomach pretty successfully, but to achieve that effect one does not need much skill. Tension, suspension and fear are nowhere to be found. Second, this movie insults my intelligence. Unlike in prequels, story is completely linear, boring and predictable. And in addition to that it's full of holes and illogicality. Characters and their actions are unconvincing, especially Jeff. He lost so much time in every room for no obvious reason. If himself was threatened in any way I could understand his hesitation, but he was not. I have no nerves to get into the details, cause it would take to long. Further, flashbacks are lousy and have no purpose in story. For those who saw previous two films they just make this one more boring and unnecessarily stretch it to almost two hours. Last and the biggest disappointment was the end. Regardless of your taste and opinion about first two Saw movies, one thing you have to acknowledge and it's genius mindfak twist that ends them both. Here, they could not make effort even to achieve that. Ending is totally predictable. I knew how it will end, but I hoped that movie made me think that on purpose so they could make even bigger surprise when it ends differently, but that did not happen. It ended just as I suspected and I felt deprived. Movie ends in manner of low-budget gore horrors. In those it's not a flaw cause they do not pretend to be more than they are - movies based on disgusting scenes that do not need intelligent plot to achieve their purpose. But in Saw franchise that present itself as intelligent mystery thriller this is unforgivable. First hour I was bored but hoping that it will get better in time. During second half I was just sad and had to force myself not to give up before the end.
5/10 - DirectorDarren Lynn BousmanStarsTobin BellScott PattersonLouis FerreiraDespite Jigsaw's death, and in order to save the lives of two of his colleagues, Lieutenant Rigg is forced to take part in a new game, which promises to test him to the limit.After watching Saw IV I thought that story is overall decently intelligent, but it essentially does not bring anything new on the table and it needlessly uses outwarn horror cliches. Franchise becomes pouring sand in the desert and, honestly, I was bored. If this was TV show with weekly episodes that might even work, cause we would be caught by first episode and just go with the flow in crazy ride until it ends, without having too much time to analyze flaws. But stretched to decade every movie stands for itself, and not being under influence of brilliant Saw I and II since long time ago our eyes are open to see the rest of franchise for what it really is - lousy and boring attempt to keep comatose idea alive for as long as possible, or more precisely, for as long as audience is stupid enough to pay for it in hope it will revitalize to what it once was.
5/10 - DirectorDavid HacklStarsScott PattersonCostas MandylorTobin BellFollowing Jigsaw's grisly demise, Mark Hoffman is commended as a hero, but Agent Strahm is suspicious, and delves into Hoffman's past. Meanwhile, another group of people are put through a series of gruesome tests.Saw V is not even closely bloody and gore as it's prequels, but it has, in my opinion, the best traps so far. Trap that allows all five prisoners to escape alive is beautifully done and perfectly portrays human nature where panic and selfishness outweigh common sense and compassion. Finale is magnificent, but I have no idea how agent Strahm deserved to be tested. After Saw III and IV I thought that this franchise definitely gone astray and lost all sense, but fifth installment brought back the will to see it through. It's better than previous movie, but still way behind first two, because it does not bring anything new and original and there's no unexpected surprises and thrills, so franchise became a bit boring.
6,5/10 - DirectorKevin GreutertStarsTobin BellCostas MandylorMark RolstonAgent Strahm is dead, and FBI agent Erickson draws nearer to Hoffman. Meanwhile, a pair of insurance executives find themselves in another game set by Jigsaw.Thank God... Somehow I managed to survive third and fourth, I was thinking to quit, fifth gave me little bit of hope, but when I sat to watch this one I really wasn't optimistic at all and I was almost sure I'll give it up in first half and say goodbye to Saw once and forever. But this was pleasant surprise. I'm not sure if this movie really is good or I just lowered criteria terribly after watching crappy prequels, but now I'll definitely watch seventh movie and go to theater to see the latest one. Current order from best to worst:
1. Saw I
2. Saw II
3. Saw VI
4. Saw V
5. Saw III
6. Saw IV
7,5/10 - DirectorKevin GreutertStarsTobin BellCostas MandylorBetsy RussellAs a deadly battle rages over Jigsaw's brutal legacy, a group of Jigsaw survivors gathers to seek the support of self-help guru and fellow survivor Bobby Dagen, a man whose own dark secrets unleash a new wave of terror.On its own, Saw 3D has pretty good story and holds attention. It's well designed and everything runs smoothly. It would be decent seven. But as part of Saw franchise it's complete failure. Traps are lousy, and Hoffman is lame substitute for John. His killing spree is in contradiction with basic premise of this series. Until the very end I thought I'll rate it two, maybe three out of ten, but in the last scene I changed my mind. Final twist brings this movie back on track, nicely rounding up all seven movies in meaningful whole.
7/10 - DirectorMichael SpierigPeter SpierigStarsMatt PassmoreTobin BellCallum Keith RennieBodies are turning up around the city, each having met a uniquely gruesome demise. As the investigation proceeds, evidence points to one suspect: John Kramer, the man known as Jigsaw, who has been dead for over 10 years.After 7 years 8th saw movie finally arrived. Honestly, I had no big expectations and I had no intentions to see it on big screen, but I did it only because my FB movie group chose it for our first real life gathering. And it was exactly what I expected it to be. Decent addition to cult franchise without bigger flaws, but nothing more than decent. It has nice pace and atmosphere, good acting and satisfying story. Twists did not shock me, but I didn't predict them either. But this time traps were the weakest link. Some being completely unoriginal, just variations of traps already used in previous movies, some new but totally unimaginative. Overall, movie is in upper half of the franchise but traps are the worst so far and movie is for the first time acceptable even for those with sensitive stomachs.
6/10