More Saw. More gore. Result is poor.

Rating: 4/10 (19 March 2006)

Saw was an inventive low-budget shocker that ultimately succeeded due to its clever narrative and ability to disgust.
Despite attempts to emulate the elements that made the original work so well, Saw 2 fails to successfully repeat the formula, ultimately feeling like a quickie cash-in sequel (albeit with better acting).
The story is basically a retread of the first film, but this time around twisted sicko Jigsaw wreaks havoc on a larger group than before. These protagonists act with little or no logic, undermining any tension wrought from their situation and, in some places, their stupidity beggars belief (the oven victim and the girl who reaches inside the perspex were particularly moronic).
I also found the direction and editing extremely tiresome; so many horror films these days feel the need to add choppy edits, distressed and grainy effects and hand-held camera shots. Such gimmicks are not necessary if the director has a tight control of his film and the script is strong enough. These showy techniques make me feel like the movie makers are trying to detract the audience from the lack of a great plot.
I sat to the end of this one hoping that the final denouement would be sufficiently clever and unexpected for me to forgive what had gone before - it wasn't!