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Rating:  -
Saw IV (Darren Lynn Bousman, 2007)
Why oh why do I keep watching the Saw movies? It shouldn't surprise me that, yes, the fourth is markedly worse than the third, and yet it does. Essentially, Darren Lynn Bousman, who's helmed the last three installments while James Wan has been off directing movies that were actually half-decent, seems to have envisioned 2, 3, and 4 as a trilogy. This, of course, explains why so many loose ends were left at the ends of 2 and 3 (though some of them have still floated off into the mist). On the other hand, if you don't have 2 and 3 very fresh in your minds when you see this, you're going to be lost from the get-go, and it's only going to get worse as you go along. So if you must force yourself to watch this movie, I strongly suggest watching 2 and 3 just before you do to refresh your memory. (And you might want to watch the original as well, just to remind yourself that there was, at one point, something worthwhile gong on here.)
This episode focuses on Rigg (Lyriq Bent), one of the cops from 2 and 3. This time, it's his game-- he has ninety minutes to get to the end of a maze where he will be able to save two of his co-workers, assuming he makes the right decisions along the way. But given that 3 ended with the deaths of both Jigsaw and Amanda, who's running the game now?
Yeah, like all the other Saw movies, the plot's pretty skinny here. But unlike the original, and to a lesser extent the second, there's not even a pretense at characterization-- even for the characters we already know. (This is especially grating given that we get a number of flashbacks to John's pre-Jigsaw life.) This movie puts me in mind of the first victim in Saw 2-- they figured out it was a different killer because there was no point to the killing. It's a sad state of affairs when you can use a plot point in a previous movie to define what's wrong with a later movie in the same franchise.
Despite my disappointment, I'll probably end up going to see Saw V later this month. Why? Because Bousman is finally jettisoned (though David Hackl, a Bousman protegee, is probably not going to be much of an improvement, a boy can always hope). * ½
Rating:  -
The SAW films are all sequential, so 'SAW IV' picks up where 'SAW III' ended. The movie starts with the grisly autopsy of John (Tobin Bell). A tape is found in his stomach, one he made before he died. Though dead, John does not intend to give up his games. The next scene is a tasty trap where two men awaken, one with his eyes sewn shut and the other with his mouth sewn shut. The two are chained together and must get their key off the other man. As usual, its nice to have a trap right off the bat, don't forget about this one.
Lt. Rigg (Lyriq Bent from 'SAW III') is attacked, and finds himself in one of John's games. He's told that Eric Matthews (surprisingly talented Donny Wahlberg) is still alive after missing for six months, and that Rigg can save him if he follows the rules of the game. Rigg must follow the clues, many of which the lives of innocent and guilty people are at stake, to his final destination.
Added to this SAW installment is John's ex-wife Jill Tuck, called into the police station for interrogation on what she knows of John and his background. 'SAW IV' doesn't quite live up to the first three movies. The traps are rather lame in comparison to the previous films, and although bloody they just don't have that feel of genius behind them. John was better as an enigma, with a goal of teaching others to appreciate their lives by putting them into death situations. (taken from John's cancer and the car crash that almost killed him) 'SAW IV' changes the view of John's motives by providing (IMHO) too much predictable background that takes away from John being a simple genius serial killer. (You'll have to watch the movie to see the motive changes) To me, the series lost too much of its complexity along with the mystery that kept the intensity level high.
In spite of all this, I still recommend you watch SAW IV, though you must watch the first three in order if you haven't already. There's adequate blood and gore, some tricky questions of humanity, a decent Jigsaw scenario, and building intensity toward the end. Rent first unless you're a diehard fan (like me), who purchased before watching the movie. Enjoy!
Rating:  -
I wondered how the franchise was going to continue with the death of Jigsaw in Saw III. This movie was by far the worst of the franchise. The first 15 minutes were grusome and gave me the feeling this movie was going to be on par with the first three movies that I loved. I was wrong
the movie got confusing fast and just seemed to drag to a finish. This movie would surpass most current horror movies and compared to other films of this type I would give it a 5 star, however compared to the other 3 Saw movies this one by far inferior. Hopefully Saw 5 will get the series back on track.
Rating:  -
I'm a big fan of the SAW movies, and consider the whole SAW "experience" to be one of Hollywood's best horror efforts.
SAW IV's main objectives are twofold: (1)to tie up all the loose ends of the past 3 movies and give some background into Jigsaw's madness and (2) to set the stage for SAW V, and the continuation of more terror from another evil genius who is about to take Jigsaw's place. Without a doubt, the surprise ending of SAW IV will segue perfectly into the beginning of SAW V.
Out of all four SAW movies, this one is the most gruesome, the most visually astounding one yet. I found I had to look away at the grizzly scenes, and I totally COULD NOT stomach the autopsy scene (pun not intended), not one bit. Ditto for the scene in the hotel room. Yukkk!
Yet, despite the torture, pain and blood, I rate SAW IV very highly for its unique narrative and editing; for the low-keyed, yet intense acting; and for raising the bar for the horror movie genre. To all concerned with this franchise, a job well done!
Rating: -
Forgive my silly title, but that's what I (and apparently others) experienced after leaving the theatre. Not to say Saw 4 did not suceed as an enjoyable movie (certainly at this point at #4 in a horror series). But the problem is there is so much messing around with the timeline and flashback scenes than ever before that it becomes difficult to keep up, at least for me. I guess that's why I came out more impressed upon initial viewing than the second time around, cause I thought "Confusing, but wow that's good, right? It makes one think?" I realize that doesn't always work well. But anyways, after the second viewing of Saw 4 I realized that although the movie is constructed in a similar manner as previous films with the flashbacks and its unpredictable ending, it became a little too much this time, and its like they completely made up a wacko ending. Of course you can't see it coming, but it could have been anyone (well, you'll see what I mean I don't want to give it away).
You might wonder how the film could star Tobin Bell since he is dead, but that is where flashbacks come into play, and possibly one of the better enjoyments of Saw 4 is seeing the very origins of Jigsaw, all the way back to his wife. We even get to see his very first victim and trap, and yes it's bloody enough. Speaking of traps, as one would expect, they are present throughout Saw 4 and still bloody, graphic, and horrifying. I didn't feel they were as disturbing as Saw 3, and overall some of the traps are unique and interesting as others are almost boring, but I won't give away any details. Rigg (Lyric Bent, returning from Saw 2 & 3) is the one we spend most of the time seeing tested in Saw 4, although the games seem to be growing in numbers for eveyone, such as detective Mathews (yes he has still survived, and still played by Donnie Wahlberg) and FBI agents, just to name a few, and there's all those lesser roles who get the pleasure of sitting in those actual torture devices.
Saw 4 only works because it's keeping a series going and telling quite a story while always creating more (yes Saw V is due out in theatres this year, and they are planning on Saw VI next year). As a horror film, Saw 4 lost some of it umph because of the story telling, and getting to know some of the charcaters a bit more (such as Tobin Bell and his ex-wife) but that still makes it a good watch for fans. The moral of "cherish your life" is still present, however the obsession (in Rigg's case) of trying to save everyone (only they can save themselves) is brought to attention. Well, I never though there was anything wrong with trying to help save people, but apparently Jigsaw believe's otherwise and shows us (and Riggs) why.
Acting - 3
Characters - 3.5
Gore/Horror - 4.5
Story - 4
Overall - 3.5
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