SAW III (Darren Lynn Bousman, 2006) *1/2

Rating: 2/10 (9 February 2007)

The first film was compelling and highly original; the second was below par and forgettable; this third entry is among the most repulsive I've ever watched: its relentless gloating (in glorious close-up) on pain and flesh ripping is positively insulting; I've yet to catch up with several recent horror titles but there's no clearer indication than this of how low the genre has sunk - it has literally gone down the drain! The plot itself is mildly intriguing and even features a nice final twist - but the film's parade of gore, creative torture devices (God only knows where the moribund 'avenger' picks up the various parts, not to mention the energy to build them!) and self-pitying characters makes for unintentional hilarity all the way through!