gruesome and unpleasant

Rating: Null/10 (19 December 2005)

Contemptible sequel to the 2004 surprise hit is nothing more than an endless barrage of unappealing characters, excessive cruelty, and relentless violence. This time around the mysterious "killer" known as Jigsaw locks horns with a hotheaded cop (Wahlberg) whose shady resume endangers the life of his teenage son, as well as several other strangers who have the misfortune of unknowingly being linked to him. The result is a lazy exercise in slasher film noir, as we get yet another movie where people run around screaming, arguing, and getting "offed" one by one. Story is contrived, the suspense nonexistent, and a giant plot twist just comes off as a cheap trick. May please the right audience, but there isn't anything or anyone to care about in the movie. *½