Saw VI

You know, with 6 straight "torture porn" movies in a row, you'd think they'd progressively get worse. And before Saw VI that really was the case. But now, I'm happy (very happy) to say that this years addition was a step up. Though it does lack in many areas, Saw VI manages to tell a good story while throwing in some pretty nasty and intricate traps.

Finally, a story amidst all the torture! I'm a fan of straight out "slasher/cheesy death" movies...but with the "Saw" series, I've been in need of a reason why I'm still watching them. Writers Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan have gotten it right this time. With "Saw VI" they finally remind/explain to me, in more detail than before, why Jigsaw sets up his so-called "games". It's no surprise when you think about it, but it wasn't exactly what I had in mind......Healthcare! Jigsaw, as we all know, was diagnosed with cancer, and this film shows how Jigsaw's frustration with all the "professionals" caused him to find a way to more or less teach them a lesson and place them in the shoes of those they hurt. It's a legitimate reason, in my book.

So we finally get a solid story that makes sense. Adding on to that are some pretty good performances by the entire cast. In part V the characters seemed a bit too boring. With this movie, however, I got to know each person a little more, which made the story more involving. Tobin Bell (Jigsaw/John Kramer) really does a great job. Every time he appears on screen his words push the story and our understanding forward. Heck, we even see more of him on the game tapes than the famous "Billy the puppet". Our other lead, Costas Mandylor (Detective Hoffman) is really good. He plays the whole secretive thing pretty well, and doesn't really go too over the top. Plus, after hating his character's involvement in parts IV and V, I felt really "at home" with him this time around. On the female side of things we have to great actresses. Betsy Russell gets more screen time in this movie, as her character's role is finally explained more (we finally get to see what's inside the box Jigsaw left her in part V). And Shawnee Smith returns in VI for some very subtle but key scenes. Finally, the game victims in this film are waaay better than those in part V. You actually understand (or if you don't, they tell you anyway) why they're there. It lets you feel for them when their game comes to a close. So, it was pretty solid across the board for a Saw movie.

Director Kevin Greutert, who was the editor for parts I-V, does a fantastic job with this one. I mean, think about it....this guy has seen more "Saw" footage than anyone....he knows what to do. While the "style", set up by directors James Wan and Darren Lynn Bousman, gave the films their unique look, Greutert tones it down a bit to allow for a more fluid and less hectic pace. Don't get me wrong, the adrenaline still pumps and the end tops it's two predecessors, it just feels like a solid "horror" movie this time.

The atmosphere is unique here. It still keeps the dark and cold setting but has something bright about it. It's not all death and torture but more of an "I can actually win" type of thing.

On the music side of things, Charlie Clouser has clearly created plenty of new score for the film. Just like the scores for III and IV there's sad and, dare I say, touching pieces of music mixed with the typical trap music and the awesome as hell "end twist" music. I only wish they can release the scores for parts IV-VI (the rest are already out) on iTunes or something because they really are great scores.

So yea, all in all, this was a big surprise. Leaving the theater I was very impressed with the film. It's too bad, though, that this film had to come after parts IV and especially V. Fans of the series have been dropping like flies and I only ask them to join the group once more for Saw VI. Like I said, many of the questions you've asked are going to be answered in this movie. And I say some with much certainty because, get ready people, the writers have went on record saying they're shooting for two more movies. To me, the series officially ended with part III. But I'm still entertained by the others so I'm sticking around to watch them. And after VI, now one of the best in the series (after parts I and III), I have a little more hope with where parts VII and VIII will go.

My rating: 7/10