Awwwwww!

Rating: 7/10 (27 February 2006)

In watching the first Saw, I thought it was one of the most ambitious thriller/horror films to date. I loved the story and why the central character did what he did.
Now I'll be even more honest about the first one. I loved the central character, loved his name, "John" and ... I loved his age. It all seemed to fit to make this one of the most entertaining and shocking films made.
Now comes Saw II, which I was looking forward to -- and it was fine, until the "studio system" stepped in to make this a franchise.
Don't get me wrong, this film is good. But I missed the "old man". They made him "younger" in mannerisms instead of more on the older, painful side as implied in the first one. And most of all -- I hate that 'they' are trying to make this into a franchise instead of leaving it alone.
Saw II also contains a bit of the social commentary of the first and keeps you on the edge of your seat. It also has that story that you never see coming which makes 'john' such a great character and those around him so oblivious to his games. But oblivious in a smart way.
Forgive me if I am a bit upset with where this is going - it just seems so "money grubbing studio" to me, for such a great story and idea. Obviously, young audiences accepted an "older lead character". Even though I am aware that 'john' could NOT go on for long because of his predicament. But that was part of the charm of this story for me.
A good film sequel but personally -- I was hoping that Saw II would end and not be dragged down like all the other great horror stories that studio heads saw dollar signs for.