More cohesive, gorier and brutal than the original

Rating: 7/10 (9 February 2006)

Much better than the original. More cohesive, less contrived, more brutal. Tobin Bell is solid as the unmasked Jigsaw and manages to elicit a shred of empathy. The premise is similar to the first (several characters search for an exit before death visits), but there are enough surprise revelations, gory, inventive confrontations and a moody score to keep the structure from becoming predictable. Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman and written by Bousman and James Whannell, one of the original's writers, it connects directly with the first film while expanding on the concept. Climax is frantic and final image is one of grisly horror. Made by true horror fans for true horror fans. A fine achievement considering how many plates it's juggling.