Costas Mandylor: Mark Hoffman
Scott Patterson: Peter Strahm
Tobin Bell: John Kramer/Jigsaw
Betsy Russell: Jill Tuck
Mark Rolston: Dan Erikson
Megan Good: Luba
Julie Benz: Brit

Release Date: October 28th, 2008
Studio:
Lionsgate/Twisted Pictures
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Rated: R      1 hr 32 mins

CAST:

“You won’t believe how it ends” claims the tag line for Saw V.  Most non-Saw fans are probably saying “I can’t believe it hasn’t ended.”  Actually, some Saw fans may be thinking the same also.

Yes, Jigsaw is still dead and just like part IV, his appearance comes from a flashback.  While Saw IV tried to tie the loose ends from parts II and III, Saw V adds another layer and even more back story to the entire series.  Also added to the series is much more of a Law and Order SVU-styled search for endless clues to who the killer is while the audience sees the killer ham it up on screen.  So is the audience here for the gore or the investigation?  I don’t think part V even knows.  The standard acting and by the books direction doesn’t make much of a case either.

Even though the film is a little disjointed and it seems Lionsgate keeps green lighting these films because they are profitable, part V still keeps things from passing the expiration date. The aforementioned investigation plot seems to never stop twisting while unending Jigsaw game seems to also be the biggest post-mortem event since the death of 2pac.  The gore may not be as grand as previous installments, but usually the producers/director lets the unrated DVD release make up for the theatrical limits.  And in somewhat of a marketing genius move, it is absolutely impossible to understand anything occurring in part V without seeing at the very least III and IV.  While it’s no Lord of the Rings, the Saw series seems to be ambitiously trying to become the Horror genre equivalent.

But what does suck the life out of the film is the lack of Jigsaw.  Yes, there is more flashback goodness, but now Jigsaw seems more bent on revenge than teaching a lesson.  His newly reveled accomplice is also motivated by revenge and self interests.  Unfortunately, that is not as charming as the character original films nor is it unnerving or scary.  Instead of being Hannibal Lecter with an engineering degree, Jigsaw is quickly becoming just another babbling, murderous madman. 

With the most police officer shenanigans since Cop Land and the least amount of gore in the series, Saw V is more of a guilty pleasure than a required viewing.  Unless you’ve dedicated the time to the previous four films, this one really isn’t worth catching.  The fifth time finds the series running out of charm but with all the twists, layers and endless time shifting, there still is a bit left to see in the Saw series.  Part VI will undoubtedly come out in ’09.  Let’s hope that one ends it before we get Saw VIII, Jigsaw Puzzles Albuquerque or a remake.

SAW V

November 12, 2008

Reviewer: Rottenbucher

DIRECTOR:

David Hackl

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