Saw is an incredible franchise, one that almost any film maker would envy. It started with a brilliant idea, a huge fan-base, and a low budget. What came out was one of the more inspired horror films of last year. Once again the annual Saw release comes with perfect timing, overshadowing all of the Japanese horror flicks and old-school horror remakes. However, does Saw II hold the originality and gore-factor of the first flick? Are any questions from the first movie answered? And can we expect a third installment? I'll try and answer these questions for you without spoiling anything, because once again, Saw II is a movie that shouldn't be spoiled
For those unacquainted with Jigsaw (from the original), he's a man that was plagued with cancer and nearly died numerous times. He came to appreciate life, and he felt he needed to help others appreciate their lives. To do so, Jigsaw places victims in life or death situations, many which are full of good old gore. The victims must brutally harm themselves to escape the traps in which they are entrapped in, and if not done in time, they will lose their lives. By doing this, Jigsaw hopes to help them appreciate their lives.
The first minutes of the movie give viewers a good idea of what to expect, as the first of Jigsaw's traps are set off, we watch a man decide upon life or death. I sat there with my hands ready to block my eyes with what was bound to come, squirming and readjusting myself every few seconds. The movie starts with a bang, as the gore hits you in the face and the story starts to unwind.
We're introduced to the main characters right away at a familiar crime scene, which is directly linked to Jigsaw. Detective (Eric) Mason (played by Donnie Wahlberg) is introduced to us as the main character, one who is constantly fighting with his delinquent child and has obviously been scarred by past relationships with his ex-wife and also his partner. From the time Wahlberg steps on screen, it's clear that the acting is miles ahead of the previous installment.
Detective Mason is brought into the crime scene for a specific reason (a la Jigsaw), because his son has been trapped in one of Jigsaw's puzzles. Along with a group of eight people, Mason's son is trapped in a house slowly expending gas that will slowly kill each and every person in the house. The race is on; Mason must find the house or get some answers from Jigsaw to save his son. From here the movie follows a two hour countdown (pretty directly, with only about a half an hour overlooked), adding more suspense than I would have ever imagined. As the mysteries unwind throughout the house, (about why the group is there, why they were chosen, and how they are all connected) we learn more about Jigsaw and his cancer along with his reasoning behind his "murders". I won't say much more about the plot, because this movie is certainly full of it's surprises, and ruining it would be a huge injustice.
So let me answer those questions I presented to you earlier.
Does Saw II hold the same originality as it's predecessor?
Saw II takes the same premise of the first movie, but it takes Jigsaw's ideas and blows them up. The house idea is ingenious, it managed to captivate and connect me with eight different characters all at the same time. It may not be completely original, but it adds so much more to the original Saw premise.
Are the questions from the first movie answered?
We find out so much more about Jigsaw than anyone would have expected to know. And while questions and answers about the first movie are revealed, more and more questions are being developed in the plot of Saw II. So yeah, we're figuring out things (especially about the ending, in a twist that takes you back to the beginning...literally.), but don't expect this to be a two-movie series.
How about the gore?
Oh god there will be gore. If the premise of Saw made your stomach turn, don't even think about seeing Saw II. I was cringing in my seat during the first ten minutes, and the director managed to keep the same effect on me throughout the whole movie. The movie also kept the same gritty feel, keeping dark green and blue tones, which really emphasized the gore factor.
I'm really impressed with Saw II, while at some points the acting seemed overdone and the characters were a little shallow, the movie is definitely a great Halloween flick. The ending this time around is almost believable, which was a relief, because that was my biggest complaint about the original. I'm excited for what's to come in this series, because Saw II left quite a cliff-hanger, I guess we'll find out next Halloween.
Compared to the slew of horror movies to come out in the past few months, Saw II is most definitely a contender for the best horror film of the year. It's hard to believe that this movie was created in just a year (including writing, editing, and filming) all on the basis of making money (Saw II was confirmed days after Saw's release, which meant there was no cast, script, or idea behind the movie). The Saw series is a welcome addition to a dwindling brand of films that maintains the highest level of integrity, immersion, and originality and I couldn't be more excited.
Disclaimer: If the flu shot bothers you, stay far away from Saw II.
"Saw II" opens October 28, 2005 and is rated NC17. Horror. Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman. Written by Darren Lynn Bausman, Leigh Whannell. Starring Beverley Mitchell, Dina Meyer, Donnie Wahlberg, Franky G, Shawnee Smith, Tobin Bell.
