Flawed but a unique thriller with elements of horror.

Rating: 8/10 (24 August 2005)

Obsessed with teaching his victims the value of life, a deranged and sadistic man trapped two people (Cary Elwes and Leigh Whannell) in a filthy bathroom. The deranged, sadistic man has kidnapped one of the people's family trapped in the filthy bathroom. Two victims are twenty feel away from each other, there is a dead body in the middle. The two victims are trapped have to face the impossible choices in a horrific game of survival. The victims have no choice to win their lives back or die trying.
Directed by first time filmmaker-James Wan has made an familiar, flawed but extremely well made thriller with elements of horror. This film is gripping, intelligent and it has some genuinely horrific surprises. This film was shot in 18 days, the film was originally made as a Direct to Video production but the film did impress the producers. The film played at the Sundance Film Festival and the film was bought by Lions Gate Films. The film turned into a Box Office Hit.
DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer and an strong-Dolby Digital 5.1 Expanded Surround Sound (Also in DTS 6.1 ES Digital Audio). The best feature on the DVD is the commentary track by the director and co-writer/actor:Whannell. The DVD features are disappointing:you get an over 2 minute featurette of the film, making of a unrated music video, rated and unrated music video, trailer, t.v. spots and promotional art gallery.
The new DVD from Lions Gate is the original uncut version of this film. Which the DVD has an new, sharper anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 Expanded Surround Sound (also in DTS 6.1 ES Digital Audio). The DVD has two new commentary tracks. Commentary one is by the director, co-writer/actor:Whannell and actor:Elwes. Commentary two is by the producers:Mark Berg, the late Gregg Hoffman and Oren Koules. DVD features are improvement over the original Saw DVD. Which also features on disc 2:the original short film, featurettes, hidden features and more. But for those who have the original Saw DVD is still a keeper, because of director:Wan and co-writer/actor:Whannell amusing commentary on the original first disc.
The film also stars:Danny Glover (Glover appears in a sadly under-written as a obsessed police detective), Monica Potter, Micheal Emerson, Ken Leung, Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith and Dina Meyer. Despite the film's budget problems, some unexplained logic moments and a poor but brief car chase scene. Saw manages enough to be an unpleasant but well directed and effective film. Hollywood should watch the talents for director:Wan and Actor/Writer:Whannell. This is one of the most profitable horror film since "The Blair Witch Project". Written by actor:Whannell. From a story by director:Wan and actor:Whannell. Followed by a sequel. (****/*****).