Better than the first!

Rating: 8/10 (31 January 2008)

Saw II is a better film than the original 'horror class'. It's more layered, tightly paced, and has elements of suspense as well as ghastly horror that exceed its predecessor. It is not, however, for everyone, and particularly not the squeamish. For the fans of the ghoulish, it has more cringe elements than the first and most of the horror films i've seen, although such visceral elements here fit the logic of the film rather than being gratuitous.
Nevertheless Saw II is a satisfying horror film, as nasty as it is. It's hard making a good horror film. A comedy can score on half its jokes and that would be a success. Horror, however, has to keep you on edge throughout otherwise it gets boring and/or silly, and on this point Saw II scores. Saw II is a relentless, disturbing assault on your senses.
-Matt Woods