Review of Saw V (2008) by Remote G — 27 Jan 2011

By Phillip Rowntree for remotegoat on 25/10/08.

Here is a film I have been waiting for, for a year. The 'Saw Series' is something I have been a big fan of with its gut wrenching gore, coupled with a never ending line of plot twists designed to make the audience gasp and throw popcorn at the screen.

But is this one movie too many?

Saw V, ties up a number of loose ends, but with a rather large cop-out in some departments. The traps are becoming less and less gruesome, but more and more incredulous. I am no Doctor and have no idea of the durability of the human body, but I certainly know what most people will and won't do and the directors of 'Saw V' seem to have no idea whatsoever.

What the predecessors have done is give a simple choice 'Do this and survive, or not", in this film the choice is the same, but achieving that choice is more difficult than ever... and regrettably unbelievable.

The direction of this film, I am happy to say, is superb, the usual fast cutting and sped-up panning shots, which have been a feature of all five films, is as brilliant as ever and help to show the sheer panic of Jigsaw's test subjects plus superb lighting and set design. The acting is as pleasing as ever, I cannot single out any single person out as having an Oscar winning performance, because unfortunately there wasn't one, but all very competent.

What this film lacks, is the passion that the other films have. I get the distinct feel that the producers are capitalising on a hugely successful run of movies that have made audiences writhe in their desires to be shocked for half a decade. There is no real need for a fifth film, or the planned sixth, but if they insist on making more then they need to re-address the content.

My advice to the writers and directors of 'Saw' is to look back at what made that first movie so successful; a room, two men chained to solid metal pipes and a hack-saw with a choice to make.

However, having said all that, I am one of the people who have enjoyed 'Saw' since its conception and because of my loyalty to the series I had to enjoy this film...

... I just wish I had the choice.