Saw IV Review
by Patiche (larts AT juno DOT com)November 4th, 2007
Written by: Darren Lynn Bousman
Directed By: Patrick Melton
Genre: Horror
Rated: R
Running Time: 1:48 min
Theatrical Release: October 26, 2007
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
The Cast: Tobin Bell, Scott Patterson, Betsy Russell,
Costas Mandylor, Lyriq Bent, Justin Louis, Athena Karkanis, Simon Reynolds
Of the four installments of "Saw" series released I must say that "Saw" IV is the best of the series. While this installment has its many complications with acting, sequence, and pacing. I found its storyline to be quite interesting. In this chapter we actually see the origins of the Jigsaw killer, and what ticked him off making him the notorious serial killer he was.
In "Saw IV" we see more of John, the Jigsaw killer portrayed by Tobin Bell along with the appearance of his ex-wife who tells the Police of Jigsaw's history, and his reason for becoming a serial killer due to the loss of their unborn child at the hands of an anxious drug addict. Jigsaw's places of crime are revealed, and why he became the most talked about serial killer. The many steel traps, and gadgets set up by the Jigsaw killer are the most crafty, and terrifying scenes to watch. "Saw IV" offers a good storyline, and lots of gore, and torture, if that's what you like to see when watching a horror film. You'll be more than satisfied.
"Saw IV" is a spin off to its third installment "Saw III" in that chapter we saw the death of a doctor who was put to the challenge of saving Jigsaw's life to save her own, and her unborn child, the death of Amanda Jigsaw's accomplice. We also see the death of a father whose quest to find his daughter comes to a gripping end when he's shot. Don't look for fine acting performances by this cast, acting is very weak, and has a lot to be desired, but look for a well delivered storyline of kidnapping, torture, gore, and murder.
The film opens in the autopsy room where Jigsaw's body has been taken. There we see an intense and graphic stomach turning autopsy being performed on the Jigsaw killer. Yes, the Jigsaw killer and his accomplice Amada are dead. A cassette tape is taken from the mouth of the Jigsaw killer, and on this tape Jigsaw tells law enforcement that although he's dead his work continues he also ushers us to every crime he has planned along with every victim involved. These events come in the wake of the death of officer Kerry, and as a result, two seasoned FBI agents, Strahm and Perez (Scott Patterson & Athena Karkanis) begin their investigation when sorting through the sentient remains of the Jigsaw killer. There is a long forgotten kidnapped policeman seen in Saw 2 officer Matthews (Donnie Walberg), and another detective whose life is threaten with a device on this back that will explode within three hours unless they are saved.
In this fourth installment of "Saw" officer Rigg, Swatt Commander seen in Saw 1, 2, and 3 known for his preserving spirit of helping, and saving others. Commander Rigg untouched by Jigsaw, has been abducted into Jigsaw's game of murder and is now the subject of Jigsaw's final masterpiece. Commander Rigg is forced save the lives Jigsaw's victims of murder while encounting a trail of more traps and more murder victims set up by Jigsaw. Ultimately these traps lead to the whereabouts of that long forgotten police officer Eric Mattews (Donnie Walberg), and his final three hours of life, a life that ends tragically when his head is crushed with two huge squares of ice. When I saw that scene I squeemed in my seat it's the goriest scene in the movie.
Commander Rigg encounters his first victim a woman whose hair is ripped from her scalp, his second encounter is his witness of Jigsaw's most gruesome trap of an obese man, and repeated sex offender who kidnaps women, and brutally rapes them while televising his acts of rape. Then there is agent Perez portrayed by Athena Karkanis whose contact with Jigsaw's infamous little doll results in tragedy when her face is shot with darts.
"Saw" fans can look forward to a circus of horror, gore, and delights of Jigsaw's torture chambers of traps, and exceptionally made gadgets that's sure to keep on the edge of your seats and mystified. In this installment of "Saw IV" lead actor Tobin Bell delivers a dry, and weak acting role, but his role as the Jigsaw killer still stands strong when it comes to delivering his many murderous traps, gadgets, and crafty chambers of torture. That is what makes this installment of "Saw IV" brilliant along with a well-put storyline. After watching this fourth installment it is inevitable that there will be a 5th installment of "Saw" this time with another killer to replace Jigsaw, a person we see in this 4th installment. Scheduled release date of October 31, 2008
Reviewed by Lisa Smith
(c)2007
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