Far from what the hype has made it look.

Rating: 5/10 (18 October 2007)

My Take: A few good moments, but not exactly as great as its hype has made it look.
I'm giving SAW a mixed review. The film has some very unique ways to scare you out of your seat, until they just made it too bloody and just messed up the the ending. The film starts out pretty well, following the strange, gloomy and gory traditions of other serial killer films like SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and SE7EN, it also gets pretty good on the second act as well, but the third act, which is very long, is messed up and, I believe, they got bored for most of it and just gave it the "kill them badly" treatment. SAW is not a bad movie, and far more entertaining than I expected it to be, but then again, there are very big flaws that prevent me to give it thumbs up.
The film opens in a terrific gloom when surgeon Dr. Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes) and hired photographer named Adam (played by Leigh Wannell) are chained in an old cell, which looks exactly like an old bathroom with a voice in a tape recorder giving them strange instructions in how to survive. The voice comes from serial killer called "Jigsaw" (inspired from the markings he puts to dead victims). Unlike any serial killer, Jigsaw doesn't kill his victims Jason Vorhees-style, he allows them to try to survive he's twisted challenges or die trying, killing themselves. This time, for his latest victims, he gives him strange instructions to kill his fellow cell mate, in order to keep his wife and daughter alive. This is, of course, the twist, which I grant you will be effective.
The film then goes on with some rather interesting moments of suspense (minus the excessive blood and guts scenes), and even the flash backs, which rather detract from the main plot, are rather interesting. But, it seems like director James Wan wanted to finally end his film with a lot of things that just comes out of his head. Either blood sport that aren't totally quite as creepy as its strange revelations and suspense. And then of course, there is the ending. I mean, how could something that starts out pretty good end in such a way that the producers wanted more and the audience having enough. I would give away the ending for the sake of some who haven't seen it, but I will say my reaction to this conclusion. Let say that the characters in this film remain interesting to start with, but it all falters when they just wanted to end it with a lot of blood. This concept is very annoying, and I don't appreciate it for that.
Do I recommend SAW? Sure, as long as your stomach can take the intensity and your brain can handle the unsatisfying ending. Since there is a SAW II, you (for those who haven't seen it) already have a hint that there will be an open ending.
Rating: **1/2 out of 5.