Extremes

Rating: 5/10 (12 October 2007)

Saw III is a typical sequel: it bombs in many ways, while it has moments when it definitely rises to challenge the first installment. One thing that never felt right was all the useless gore and blood. Sometimes this movie felt like a pointless and utterly empty parade of different kind of deaths. Although some of them quite inventive and twisted, but beautifully designed, most of the time they do feel out of place. The first part's greatness came from the mental pressure and the analysis of people reacting to the difficult circumstances. The husband's role is very clear, he's but an instrument that leads from one execution to another. He's lacking any kind of personality and his character isn't going anywhere for most of the film. John is there to be there, after all, he's the main character, the doctor gets the same treatment as the husband, and Amanda is wandering about aimlessly. The only thing that saves Saw 3 is - a bit surprisingly - is its final scene. It's a glorious moment when the characters suddenly get depth, it's tragic nature overwhelming - yet unable to lessen the feeling that we've been cheated. Not bad overall, a strong piece of gory entertainment, but hardly more.