Saw III - Blades aren't dull yet.

Rating: 5/10 (27 October 2006)

Before you even go see Saw III, make sure you've seen the first two. If you haven't it may not even be worth your time. You'll have more questions than answers if you don't come in prepared and I would have to say a vast majority of the plot will not make sense.
People who enjoyed Saw I where most likely intrigued by the mystery and shocking conclusion. It was a slow deliberate story that amazed even the most apathetic of viewers with it's originality. Saw II lacked the mystery, but established a legacy by thrilling it's veterans with a face to face sit down with Jigsaw and his lair. Saw III continues the story and unlike the previous films before, the audience knows what is in store from the very start.
Nothing can surprise the audience after Saw I and II's ending, in fact it's almost as if they know Jigsaw's motives - they don't however know Amanda's. Amanda as Jigsaw's apprentice brings a new direction into the movie, but it's nothing groundbreaking and her general character is laid out in the first twenty minutes. Besides her small screwball twists, you know the plot already - doors being opened will trigger horrific violence and breaking the rules will cost a person dearly. In fact, this is the first of the Saw films where you can actually piece together the proper ending before it happens. Some may call it a poor script, myself I would say the movie accomplished its goal.
From start to finish, the audience is engaged. Scene changes from one center of action happen seamlessly and almost any questions from the first two movies are answered. Unlike the other Saw's the ceremonial red drape covering Jigsaw's plots is gone. A simple symbolism of the audience being familiar with his works and knowing full well what is in store for them. And that is what I would say the film's goal was, for you to fully understand what Jigsaw is doing and how he accomplishes it.
In short: See Saw III to finish the story and to get a peak at what the fourth installment may be about, but don't expect it to be better than Saw I. Although the amount of gore far surpasses the first two combined and you may find yourself at times hard pressed not to turn your head away. Ans as always if you expect ultra-realism you'll find enough holes to ruin any movie, including this one.