Reviews

Saw 3

Of the many taglines this installment has the one in particular that defines this movie is: This Halloween he pulls out all the stops. They’re right. Saw 3 doesn’t hold back anything on what is probably the last chapter of the series. Everything gets wrapped up in a nice, neat little package that only Saw can.

In this one, Tobin Bell reprises his role as Jigsaw as done Shawnee Smith (Amanda). Now I thought that Jigsaw was dead at the end of the second one, but apparently not. He is on his deathbed with very little time left, so he has left his grisly duties to Amanda, while he overlooks. This chapter involves a young doctor, Lynn (Bahar Soomekh), who is kidnapped and charged with keeping Jigsaw alive for one last game. Said game involves a man named Jeff (Angus Macfadyen) who is haunted by the death of his son as the result of a car accident. Jeff is consumed with revenge and it has since torn his remaining family apart. Lynn, also, has a less-than-stellar home life as well when he husband asks for a divorce. Now Jigsaw feels that by playing and surviving his game both will fill their empty lies with purpose.

Saw 3 is once again filled with all kinds of gruesome devices of death and torture. Young Lynn has a collar strapped around her neck that is linked to Jigsaw’s heart monitor; if he dies she loses her head, literally. Jeff on the other hand has to pass three areas to be able to regain his freedom and all the tests are linked to his son’s death.

Aside from these intertwined plots we also get a whole wrap-up of some of the unanswered questions from the previous two films, as well as closure for all. In addition we get to find out more about Amanda’s character as series writer and co-creator Leigh Wannell delves deeper into how she came into the employ of Jigsaw. James Wan also returns again, but only in story credit. Director Darren Lynn Bousman comes back for a second time and keeps the visual link between all three films. One draw back in this film is that there are several scenes that could use a 60-watt bulb. I can understand the want for darkness to create a certain mood, but there are limits. There is also a feeling of desperation within the film that really gives one a feeling of this is the end of it all; one can certainly feel that Jigsaw’s plan is unraveling as well as his cohorts.

Of the three films, this is by far the goriest. As a matter of fact this is probably one of the most blatantly gory films that I have ever seen and that is saying quite a lot. I’m sitting in the film during several scenes and wondering “ are they going to show that?” and sure enough you see it. There are no limits in this film and I was surprised that all of this got past the censors, but I suppose it did. I’m sure though there will be an unrated version when the DVD comes around.

Now while some horror fans have scoffed at this series, but I have had fun with the series. I feel that these are no better or worse than any of the other slasher series in past years. Hell, Jason, Freddy, and Michael have met some pretty unbelievable demises only to come back film after film, so why not have a cancer patient hang onto life for three films all while making elaborate devices of death. I just take them all at face value and enjoy the carnage.

6.5
- George

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