Disturbing and powerful...exactly what you expect from these films

Rating: 7/10 (27 October 2006)

*BEWARE THERE ARE SPOILERS TO SAW AND SAW II IN THIS REVIEW...NO SPOILERS TO SAW III, BUT SPOILERS TO THE FILMS BEFORE IT*
I've been waiting for this film since I watched Saw II. First off, I must say that it doesn't disappoint true fans of this series like myself. While Saw II was a good film, it didn't even come close to the original. Saw III is an even better film, and comes a lot closer to matching Saw I, but it too is not at the same level. Darren Lynn Bousman's direction behind this film is very well done again, and I'm very glad he stayed around to direct both sequels. The best part about this film is that Leigh Whannell AND James Wan, the original minds behind the epic trilogy, are back and in top form as the helm the story and screenplay. While telling you the plot line in detail is a gigantic slap in the face to you, the reader, I'll give you the basics of it.
Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) is dying. Things don't look good for him as his cancer is beginning to catch up with him more than before. His apprentice, Amanda (Shawnee Smith) is following all his orders, taking care of a few victims every now and then. Her next task is to get a doctor, namely Lynn Denlon (Bahar Soomekh of Crash), to keep Jigsaw alive for as long as it takes Jeff (Angus Macfadyen of Braveheart) to finish a series of tests. Lynn must be careful, because if Jigsaw dies, she dies. No question.
The technical aspects of these films are what makes them so psychologically powerful. The lighting, mood, and music define this series, as of course does the legendary villain Jigsaw. Darren Lynn Bousman has such an extraordinary vision for these films, and it is portrayed beautifully on screen...it just plain looks like a dark psychological horror film. Granted, this is not a film for the faint of heart. The gore in this film is near vomit-inducing, and I'm saying this even after the last film I saw before this was Jackass Number Two. Saw III makes its predecessors look like child's play compared to the blood and gore in this film, which will make you feel very uncomfortable at times. This, and the fact that it loses some realism throughout the film (which is one part of why these films are so good) are factors that keep it from getting a 10. The acting behind Saw III is also very well done. At last, all the main characters act near perfectly, especially Tobin Bell and Angus Macfadyen. Bell's John Kramer aka Jigsaw is easily the most fearsome villain of the past two decades. How this actor can make you know he's in control while being stuck to a bed is just inexplicable. He brings you in, and never, ever lets go. Shawnee Smith is good as his right hand woman, the secondary villain of the film. She can be scary at times, but nowhere near Tobin Bell. Angus Macfadyen's Jeff is a wonderful character, and he really takes advantage of this well-written character and makes it his own. A conflicted father is not really an original character, but this one is. Bahar Soomekh as the hostage doctor Lynn Denlon is very good. She is really a great actress, because we are always aware that she has some control over the situations because she holds Jigsaw's life (and of course, her own) in her hands, despite the fact that she's a hostage.
One element of Saw that is always present in all the films is the unpredictable twist at the end of the film. In the first film, Jigsaw arose from the floor between Dr. Gordon and Adam, a twist no one could have predicted. In Saw II, Amanda was revealed as Jigsaw's apprentice and heir-apparent. In Saw III...well, you'll find out for yourself ;)
SAW: 10/10 SAW II: 8/10 SAW III: 8/10
--spy