Reminiscent of 'The Unknown'

Rating: 6/10 (26 November 2010)

This was the first 'SAW' movie that spawned many sequels. The movie gained tremendous success and got a big fan following which led to sequels releasing each year since 2004. The director James Wam is talented and created a totally original character for the horror genre. However he has not managed to add much to his resume apart from the Saw franchise. Being the director and writer gives one the opportunity, freedom to apply individual knowledge and ideas to practise. Upon viewing I was receiving deja vu of the movie 'Seven' and 'The Cell'. Though in this situation there is quite less focus on the detectives. There is a flashback giving an account of a woman's ordeal that she encountered with the 'Jigsaw' killer.
SPOILERS We begin with being introduced to two men whose legs are chained to steel pipes in a unknown location. Between them there lies a dead man with a tape recorder. They play the tape and they are given instructions by the 'jigsaw killer'. The doctor has to kill the other guy by 6.00 or his wife and daughter dies. Initially they attempt to free themselves but their efforts fail. Simultaneously there are two detectives that are trying to apprehend the killer. They come face to face with him on one occasion but it only leads to demise of one detective. Meanwhile time is at the essence and the two chained men decide to be devious and fool the killer but they fail. Eventually fate intervenes and the doctor becomes desperate after time has run out. END OF SPOILER
I did not get the impression that this was a horror movie as it also had elements of a thriller and suspense combined. The theme itself is very Korean and Japanese cinema influenced. The innocent characters forced in a uncontrollable situation was very reminiscent of Asian cinema itself. I'm very sure that the trend of Asian horror remakes has certainly inspired this franchise. The movie wastes no time in progressing with the plot, however the constant flashbacks do sometimes deter the attention away from the main narrative. The idea of a serial killer who places people in to letting themselves getting killed is very unique. It was convincingly shown. But the look of the killer was unconvincing and I was expecting a evil looking person. Danny Glover and Cary Elves stand out in the performances. Glover goes in to his 'Predator' mode and it was good to see Elves in a challenging role. Adam Faulkner was funny on a few occasions.