most intense of the three

Rating: 7/10 (6 November 2006)

Leigh Whannell and James Wan created one of the most intriguing films/franchises, that most notedly arrived at a trend of torture porn. While violence has been always present in horror/thrillers, it's a key element, though contemporary film makers have taken heed to throw their audience into the violence head first without hesitation. The victims suffer pain and agony, while similarly we the audience suffer in respect having to witness such anguish. Unsuspecting people thrown into intricately designed "games", to inflict pain and suffering, with death as the usual outcome.
Jigsaw, with his new apprentice Amanda continue there quest to free people from their lives, which they act is worthless; they soon release how much they value their life when placed in a live and death situation. Saw started of as a simple two hander, Saw 2 up the body count with multiple victims. Saw 3 is a strip back to basics, stripping the cast back, ultimately creating the best of the three films.
Saw had amazing concepts and potential, yet not executed well; a flawed yet effective thriller. Saw 2 dropped the ball, with characters you wouldn't give a second look, just waiting idly by while each one meet their maker in grizzly deaths. Whannel taking helm with the pen again, Saw 3 regained focus and drastically change the formula around. Saw 3 takes time and doesn't rush; you may think other wise when two victims are dispensed straight off. Whannel calms the chaos of simple consecutive killings and develops characters you care and connect with.
Running two games parallel, Jigsaw has kidnapped Dr. Lynn Denlon, to keep him alive or she dies along with his fate. Concurrent is another game with victim Jeff, a depressed father unable to move on from his son's death. Jeff is faced with a series of tests, in an ultimate battle for him to let go. Unlike the previous installments, pathos is given to both Lynn and Jeff, trapped in both their predicaments. Layers are revealed in Amanda, trying to take on Jigsaw's legacy and her initial genesis. Time slips back, new angles revealed upon parts of Saw and Saw 2. Developing the story and digging into the characters payed of enormously.
Back to the torture porn. It's an element used extremely well by director Darren Lynn Bousman. While used minimally and effective by James Wan, Bousman over drove the gore and violence in Saw 2, without much merit to be given; violence for violence sake. Taking focus, slowing down the hyperactive quick cut directing, the violence and gore works more effectively; extremely more effectively. It's gut wrenching and energy draining; it's exhausting after this ride is over. Each test sees an increase of extreme torture, hitting to the most disturbing center pieces; The Wrack. Paradoxically, the violence is the main drawing power to this franchise and the most deterring for Saw 3. Bousman pushed to the boundaries too far, becoming all too much at times; but credit due exceeding in his plan to make you shift uncomfortably in your seat.
Raising the level in another aspect is the acting. Tobin Bell evokes eeriness just from his voice. Shawnee Smith is steely cold and maniacal and the best out of the whole cast. Angus Macfadyen mixes pain, resentment and sorrow in Jeff's turmoil. Bahar Soomekh is amazing stuck in a conflict on interests and morals. Maybe as Bousman took time to pull better performances out of his cast you care more about them and what actually happens to them.
With time and focus given to the story and development of the characters, instead of churning out a simple money spinner to play off the original Saw's success, Saw 3 supersedes it's predecessors.