A Sequel to Challenge the Original

Rating: 7/10 (1 December 2006)

"Violent. Gory. Pointless. Needless. Entertaining. Thoughtles." It's very easy to right off the Saw series if you haven't actually seen it yourself. The way that it is portrayed and talked about by some people just makes it seem like a needless bloodbath of imaginative deaths, occasionally flavoured with some headache inducing twists and turns that bring up more questions rather than answering the ones that have already come up. Sure enough, the latter is often frustrating and seems to have become a popular trend. It's either a sign that the writer's don't know what they are doing or that they have a far bigger picture in mind. The fact that there will be at least 5 saw films perhaps points to the second option.
Saw II is quite different from the original. This is perhaps inevitable since it not only was made by someone else, but wasn't even a Saw sequel originally. Therefore it's easy to think that it might become a Blair Witch 2 type tack-on-easy-money-farce that it could well be. The Saw films are very clever, and this is often brought up by those who appreciate it. However the violence gets more publicity, and the simple truth is that it arouses enough curiosity to convince people to go and see it. The original Saw wasn't actually that violent. Much like Se7en, a film it is compared to but frankly isn't in the same class as, most of the nasty events are left to the imagination of the audience. Even the most famous scene, where Cary Elwes saws off his own foot, you see absolutely nothing. Saw II changes it's style, and is hard to stomach on occasion. However, the film gets it's nastiest death out of the way straight away. A protagonist who seems to be a snitch and a voyeur, much like Adam from the original, has what is described as a Venus fly trap round his head. It will slam shut, crushing his head, if he doesn't unlock it with a key before a minute runs out. The key happens to be behind his eye. Although he never goes as far as to get the key, the idea in itself is disturbing. After this the deaths aren't particularly gratuitous. In fact the scenario, solve puzzles to find a cure for a nerve gas destroying your system, is more horrifying then the way in which most of the people die.
The plot itself is simple and well defined, and newcomer Bousman makes sure that the film doesn't go off the rails and lose it's focus. Donnie Wahlberg, in excellent, and as usual, understated form, plays Detective Eric Matthews, the principle main character. His son has been kidnapped by the infamous 'Jigsaw' killer, and he, along with a number of unfortunate souls who have an unseen connection, are locked up in an old house. The only hope that Matthews has of saving his son is by finding out from the old and dying Jigsaw where he is. There are the two main stories that overlap each other, of Matthews and his team at Jigsaw's workshop, and his son and the other victims in the house. The formula allows an opportunity for the characters to grow themselves, and one of the understated values of the film is the characterisation. Matthews at first simply seems burnt out after a tough career, but it soon becomes clear that he is far from the perfect cop. The man on the floor (or house, as it were) who seems to take control and act as a leader, Xavier, is in fact a selfish and overbearing drug dealer who cares about no one but himself. It would be easy for the makers to drop good characterisation and get down to the bloodletting, as many feel is the case with Saw III. It is a credit to Bousman that he appreciates the most important aspects of making a great film: plot, characters, dialogue, atmosphere. By keeping these as a priority, and it makes the film easier to appreciate and makes it seem less like a popcorn movie.
Another important factor in making a good film is usually down to the actors themselves. Whereas this could have B-Movie performances, all the displays are solid and excellent. The fear, frustration and anger flows in a way that really surprises you. From the genuine terror and panic of the opening scene's character to the deep emotion of Matthews, the characters are believable and aren't just cardboard cutouts. Singling out Wahlberg as the star performer may be harsh on a quality cast, but the fact is that he has the hardest character to portray and pulls it off with flying colours. It's miles away from his performance as another cop, the earnest and honest detective Joel Stevens in Boomtown. Ultimately though, the film works so well because all the elements come together and create a film that isn't just entertaining but is also believable and terrifying.
Inevitably, most people probably think that the Saw series is pure popcorn and gore, and in many ways it is. Indeed the premise is sick at best. But in Saw II you have a film that shouldn't be THAT good but is, and it more than matches the original for atmosphere and drama. It's well worth it watching not just for the entertainment, but also for the great way in which it has been made. That is, of course, if you can stomach the violence.