The charm is waning

Rating: 5/10 (10 July 2007)

Sequels are a funny thing (or a tragic thing, depending on who you ask). It seems that the formula for sequels in Hollywood is "more is more", not "less is more". So with SAW that formula equates sicker traps, sicker games and of course more blood. In that regard, the third movie is a completely logical step.
What i liked about this movie is the whole set that they have built. It's a really disgusting warped reality with rotten pigs, disgusting smells (i imagine) and plenty of rooms with sick games. This time two people have been kidnapped for apparent and not so apparent reasons. The formula is basically the same, although the characters are beginning to reach the end of their arc. Amanda is obviously deranged and Jigsaw in worse shape than ever. Also that's one of the things i found quite admirable, that the film-makers were actually able to keep any interest in what was basically rather simple characters to begin with. Sure, Jigsaw had a motivation and an idea, but that didn't exactly make him three-dimensional. But here i find myself actually caring what happens.
What i didn't like so much was that the level of disgusting effects and gore has been turned up another notch or two. Most of all i felt it was quite unnecessary. The amount of blood in the first movie was quite enough, the amount in the second movie was pushing it, and here it's excessive. I guess most of the audience (at least the real fans) won't think so though, so i understand why they do it.
This is not a bad movie. It's not as entertaining as the first two though. Mostly because the charm of the concept is really beginning to wane. I would say that this should be the last movie in the series, but i know that there is already at least one more film in the making. I doubt that i would watch that one though, to me the SAW-franchise has been milked enough (and then some) after this movie. I rate this 5/10.