Tacky cash-in sequel "oh, yes, there will be crap.."

Rating: 2/10 (15 October 2006)

The original "Saw" is a pretty good horror effort, for an American film, (although it can't compare with the stuff coming out of Japan.) It was bloody, but stopped right on the line of going overboard with the violence, which would have cheapened the film. It had a suspenseful story, with some real twists, and finally, a surprising, and satisfying ending. There were only two main characters, and this allowed for some focus on actual character development, and believable story. And so it received attention and praise, as something decent coming out of Hollywood these days is rare indeed. Unfortunately when a horror film is successful in the States, the parade of inferior sequels is inevitable. "Saw 2" is no exception. First, lets state the obvious; You cannot make the same film twice and expect the same level of quality entertainment. The film makers here, seemed to want desperately to make a sequel that actually didn't suck. So they decided that they had to top the first one, by making it a hundred times bloodier. Well, they did succeed at that. And the first "Saw" ended with a surprise finale, so they tried to think up another shocking last second revelation, to wow audiences. But this time they failed. Because the ending was contrived, and most of us saw it coming a mile away, because we know how the first one worked. And like I said, you can't pull the same trick twice, because we will always want something new, and different. At least when it comes to this type of film. Because films like "Saw 2" have nothing else to offer, besides shocks and cheap thrills, and gore. There is not one scene in this film that is stylishly or artistically shot, or even competently shot for that matter. Most of the film looks like a TV cop show, or an MTV video.There is not one interesting character here (with the exception of Jigsaw himself). And this fact really sunk this film. Filled with the most insipid stereotypes imaginable. We have the macho dark-skinned drug dealer, the sexy Spanish-looking bad girl, the white bread 'honkie' who spends her entire time on camera crying with mascara running down her dirty face. We have one of the most ridiculous, one dimensional versions of "the ex-junkie" that i have ever seen. We even have the "token black guy". It seems like the film makers were trying to make everyone like the film, by including a character that each one of us could relate to individually. I even found myself relating a little to the little juvenile delinquent with the estranged, cold father. Afterwards i realized what manipulative bull it all was. Nothing more than a money making ploy here. The thing that depresses me now, is how much some other people praised this film, some even saying it was better than the first film! Are todays moviegoers that stupid, that easily fooled? We should get one thing straight: Saw 2 is BLOODIER than Saw 1. That does not mean it is better. This film should only appeal to MTV and video game addicts, looking for gore set pieces and nothing else. And I will give credit where it is deserved; There are some good blood scenes here, including one of the most grisly and realistic throat-slashing scenes ever. Don't expect anything more, unless you have extremely low standards, or extremely poor taste in film. I will not be in attendance for the inevitable, (and inevitably stupid) "Saw 3".