Revives my interest in the horror genre...

Rating: 8/10 (21 February 2005)

It was about the time that "The Blair Witch Project" made a jillion dollars when I decided that I no longer understood what made a good horror flick and that the genre was something that I was no longer interested in. The big budgets can't get it right anymore and neither can the indies. I've enjoyed the recent Japanese remakes somewhat, but have not been enjoyed all the video game flicks or the recent popular remakes of horror classics. (Of course, I don't care for either of "the dawn of the dead" flicks so I'm stretching to call the original a classic). But "Saw" is really good. It had a clever script with a twist that I did not see coming. Yeah it was a bit over the top a couple of times on the disgust-o-meter, but only a couple of times. I'm looking forward to the inevitable sequel; although the clever twist cannot be duplicated effectively which may dampen the sequels effect. But here are my gripes. I can't stand Cary Elwes. Never have liked the guy. He's a pretty boy that never was that pretty. Now at 40 something....well let me put it this way, if you're a male wearing eye makeup or eye shadow or whatever the hell he was wearing all during "Saw" you probably wouldn't have a wife and kid to worry about. And the guy is so fey to go along with it. Was that the character or the actor. If that was the character I say bad choice. If that was the actor I say bad actor. Actually, I say bad actor in either scenario. Second gripe. For the sequel, Mr. Wan, 86 the editing while on meth. Those speed cuts are really annoying. Like when Danny Glover has a car chase with the orderly guy and those flashback scenes. Take a deep breath and slow it down. Your entire audience does not have AADD. A lot of them probably, but not all.