A breath of fresh air for todays sh*tfest of horror films.

Rating: 10/10 (28 October 2005)

Many may think that the idea for Saw 2 is an incredible mistake. I personally thought the same thing until i saw the film today. Saw 2 takes the first film and makes it better than it could have ever been.
For the record, I really enjoyed Saw, but I felt that I was never connected to the characters. So when the pay off happened, I felt no different that I did in the beginning. The film had this original and stylistic vision that was different from most movies. The acting could have been better, but I don't blame this on the director because I knew that James Wan had only 3 days of preproduction with the actors. So pretty much every piece of dialogue was the first time they said it.
Saw 2 on the other had was completely different. The story involves more people, and generates outside of what we perceive. John, also know as Jigsaw is a character that is more developed. This film allows for the audience to create an emotional connection with John so that it draws them in a lot more. Tobin Bell was amazing, as he become a face in this film, rather than a voice.
The story about the people locked in the room draws you in very well because you discover certain things that attach you to whats happening outside. It makes you want more but the focus isn't nearly on them as it is Eric Mathews, played by Donnie Wahlberg. The most powerful aspect of the film is becoming emotionally connected to the character played by Donnie Wahlberg. Everhything he goes through, you go through, and wanting to know the outcome becomes more and more apart of the experience of SAW2.
Visually, the film is rather the same. The editing is fast and it has very interesting and contemporary transitions that allows the film to flow. a lot of the editing justifies parts of the big 3 part pay off at the end of the film.
Personally, before the film was release I felt that Darren Lynn Bousman was not the right guy for this film because he was fired from all his Production Assistant jobs in Hollywood, and never developed a good name with studio execs. I expected a badly directed film that would destroy what James Wan and Leigh Whannel created. Boy was I wrong. Bousmans direction was perfect for this sequel. He didn't leave things unanswered and helped answer questions of the first film.
Overall this film is a very good improvement of the film made by Wan. The pay off is a lot different, but unexpected (unless you read about it before, like me). Bousman makes a great debut, and creates a world that everyone can feel a part of, instead of disconnected by the rushed film that Wan made. I look forward to seeing what else he can do with his career.
Also one thing that really set the mood off for the film was the preview of Eli Roth's "Hostel". I suggest checkin that trailer out ASAP.