Review of Saw IV (2007) by Sab — 28 Jan 2008

As previously stated, this was better than the third film. It felt like it returned to the track more so than the third, which seemed to have derailed a bit. In opposition to what many are saying, this has not turned into a mindless gore-fest.

I am frankly amazed that they have kept this series relatively contained and seemingly away from any jet skis or sharks. This is still a slight thinker and definitely continuing the themes of survival, justice, morality, and patience, and how they all may or may not be warped, depending on whose eyes they are filtered through.

However, the film did not begin on a good note. Although the first scene may have been somewhat necessary, it degraded the film by making it seem like the naysayers were right, like mindless gore and violence was the goal.

It also gave me the feeling that the series was being cheapened before my eyes, and with that I can understand how some would be turned off in the beginning and would not be interested in sticking it through the rest of the film.

That first scene really made me think the series was over, but with a little restraint and intelligent consideration, Saw V and VI still have a chance to keep this series more than afloat. This film also seems to brush up against an inevitability of failing in that it seeks an absolutely loyal audience.

There is a choice between leaving certain nooks and crannies of the story to be pieced together by the viewer, or explaining it through flashbacks and references to the previous entries. The film seems to go for the latter, but both are detrimental to the experience.

Nonetheless, a little mystery never hurt a film, and American audiences are aware that films more often than not insultingly attempt to walk them through things they may not understand instead of letting them think for themselves.

It wouldn't seem to be such a bad thing to strike viewers with the urge to watch the previous entries to recall how all of the references to the previous films connected. The criticism that one would need to watch the previous three entries right before watching this is obviously on the mark, but would have been a minor thing if they didn't try to clip in multiple scenes from the previous films at the same time.

It really broke up the suspense and added to the confusion. Maybe the film was a little too ambitious and should have been a bit more tamed instead of attempting to make it so all-encompassing. But even with all of these flaws, this film is still far better than most horror films with a relevant plot that doesn't just go for titillation, but comments on modern society, and attempts to force you in a most disturbing way to look at your own life.

The fact that so many people have something to say about this shows in itself that this obviously has been worth more consideration than most horror films.