Finally...a horror sequel that gives the audience what they want.

Rating: 6/10 (29 October 2005)

SAW blew my mind the first time I saw it in theaters. The movie had a strong plot, great characters, and really dark, creepy imagery. Not only was it from a new director, its budget let the world know that money means jack squat in making a great film. It also didn't hurt that SAW had one of the greatest endings I've ever seen in my life. That movie became a phenomenon for me the way The Ring did when I first saw it. When I found out about SAW 2 being in production, I was pumped up because from the start it was already in a good position because work began right after the first one. Not only does this keep the story fresh, a lot of the thrill that people got from the first one was still retained going into SAW 2. I was a little worried that the director was different but got some relief that Darren Lynn Bousman is a close friend of James Wan. I got total relief after I saw this movie.
The movie starts with the same in-your-face shock factor approach of the first one and immediately draws the audience's attention. Within the first 5 minutes I knew this was going to be a worthy sequel. Everything that made the first one great was reflected on this one times three. The puzzles were more complex, the characters trapped by Jigsaw were not only great but they were in larger numbers, and the imagery was as dark as you can only see in your worst nightmare. The puppet on the tricycle is one of the most insane and creepy characters ever. Most people have always had a fear of dolls when they were little and the fact that they used this puppet as a backbone of Jigsaw was genius. Though this movie contained a lot of gore, it was used to fit the plot perfectly. Nothing was overdone to make the movie undesirable or cheesy. Its amazing how directors can use excessive things in movies such as special effects in horror movies. It just makes me sick seeing a decent movie go sour after seeing very unconvincing and useless shadows flowing all around the room and through the ceiling or ungodly amounts of blood and guts. It just makes the movie look very fake. Movie makers should know by now just how much gore or special effects to use. Saw 2 used just enough of everything to remain relevant.
One of the biggest compliments I can give to Saw 2 is the fact that when you watch this movie unfold, it truly gives you that feeling like this really took place right after the first one. This makes the movie so much better and makes you appreciate the sequel and gives true meaning to the word as well. Many sequels have been made a long time after the first one and several ended up horrible. As for all those people that think you can't shock the audience with another twist like the ending from the first one, think again. I was proved wrong after I watched this movie to the end. After the extremely disappointing sequel to The Ring, I was very anti-sequel for a good while until I saw this. This movie is a must see for any fans of thrillers and will add tons of fuel to the fire for all the fans of Saw 1.