Review of Saw VI (2009) by Ryan D — 22 Sep 2010

Having a ?Saw? film being released the weekend before Halloween is like having fireworks on the 4th of July. This horror series began back in October 2004 and shows no signs of slowing down. These films introduced us to the demented Jigsaw murderer aka John Kramer, played by Tobin Bell, who has an obsession with teaching others the meaning of life, in rather painful ways. Most of the previous films in the series were fantastic. They kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, providing gruesome scares and (something you don?t see in many horror films), a good story; although the last 2 were a bit disappointing. My expectations for the release of the sixth installment were not very high thinking the series would just continue to go downhill. However I was surprisingly satisfied with this film since they brought back some of the unpredictable plot twists that made the first 3 movies so enjoyable.

For those who are unfamiliar with the ?Saw? franchise, let me provide for you a brief synopsis of the first five movies. The main antagonist is John Kramer (Tobin Bell). He is a successful engineer and is happily married to Jill Tuck (Betsey Russell). One day he finds out he is terminally ill with cancer and only has a short time to live. He becomes depressed and eventually tries to commit suicide, but fails. He then starts to notice things about society. There are people who take their lives for granted, who hurt others for their own pleasure. He becomes angry as he sees those around him ?squandering the gift of life that he had just been denied? as he puts it. He makes it his life mission to teach those around him the meaning of life. He does this by kidnapping people, and putting them in a game. If the person wins they get the reward of life, if they lose they die, a gruesome painful death. In order to win the game the player must undergo severe physical and psychological torture. Seeing as he doesn?t have long to live he takes on two apprentices to take over when he dies; Amanda Young (Shawnee Smith) who is one of the few to survive his game, and Detective Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) who is blackmailed into becoming his apprentice after Hoffman blamed a murder that he committed on Jigsaw. Eventually Jigsaw and Amanda are killed, which leaves Hoffman to continue Jigsaws deadly game.

Now let?s move on to ?Saw VI?. Saw VI which is two different stories. One story involves Hoffman, who throughout the film becomes increasingly nervous that the FBI will find out he is the new Jigsaw killer. Hoffman desperately tries to cover his tracks when a ghost from his past returns, and may already know his secret. The other story involves a health insurance executive named William Easton (Peter Outerbridge) who has a past with John Kramer. We find out in a flashback, that John may have discovered a cure for his cancer. However William denies John?s claim. Later on, William is kidnapped (supposedly by Hoffman) and forced to participate in Jigsaw?s newest game.

What I liked about this Saw film was that it continued to provide plot twists that aren?t predictable. We don?t know who?s on whose side. Anyone could be involved. The traps in this film are the best one yet, and for you gore fans out there I know you will agree with me. The traps are so terrifyingly twisted that it?s impossible not to cringe in your seat and cover your eyes. Even after six films Tobin Bell still creeps me out. He is so calm and cool; you wonder if ever feels any remorse for his actions. The most impressive performance came from Costas Mandylor, who plays Detective Hoffman. When he was first introduced in ?Saw III?, I found his character stale. In ?Saw VI? he breaks his stale shell and becomes a terrifying psychopath, who will do anything, and I mean anything to keep his secret hidden. All in all ?Saw VI? is highly effective horror films as far as sequels go. According to the ?Saw? website there are two more installments being made, and I look forward to seeing them in the future. If it?s Halloween it must be ?Saw?.