Saw IV

Saw IV – 2007

To say that Saw IV blew me away would not only be a gross understatement, but an insult to the feature and the Saw series. Saw IV is so perfect in its own state of being that it single-handedly won my affection for the entire quadrilogy. Saw IV not only added vast amounts of depth and meaning to all its predecessors (and therefore to the story in general) but brought everything that happened previously to a profound and jaw-dropping realization. This is also the only film to leave me wanting more, and sadly elevated me to the status of a hard-core Saw fan.

The Saw franchise since its auspicious debut in 2004, has since grossed half a billion dollars worldwide. This gross, has inevitably led to better writing, a bigger budget and the ability to pick and choose their cast. (Even though ironically their greatest asset was Tobin Bell back before it was a hit) The franchise also holds the distinction for releasing the most consecutive films released, one per year, and even if you are not a fan, you have to respect the overall quality of the pictures considering their short production time. Saw IV is directed by Darren Lynn Bousman who helmed all but the original, seems to have a clear goal of where the franchise is going and what he wants to show, and what he wants to leave. The ending, along with its usual revelation, has a larger more satisfying “twist” that is confusing at first, but with a bit of though deeply adds to the picture as well as having the rare ability to significantly improve its previous instalments.

I said one of my issues with the original, and to a lesser extent Saw III, was that there was an overdone complexity to some of the contraptions. This instalment completely erases any trace of this and presents us with some surprisingly primitive and simplistic contraptions, albeit still gruesome. As such, Jigsaw’s intentions seem to have more meaning. They always had a purpose but as you will see they have a much richer context and add greatly to the story. The body count is significantly lower then the earlier Saw’s. Only about 7 people are killed in this film and to break them down; two deaths are implied, one is hidden in a cloud of ice, (see it to understand) and one is quick and not due to a jigsaw trap. That leave only 3 “normal” Saw deaths which feature some fairly gritty scenes and some are less disgusting premises then previously. All this adds up to a movie based more around story then torture and I welcome it adoringly.

The movie begins with a fantastic autopsy scene following Jigsaw’s and Amanda’s death in the previous film. It is fascinating more than disgusting, and fits well with the slightly different turn that this film took in its ideas. This time it is SWAT leader Rigg (Lyriq Bent), who made appearances in Saw II and III, who is target by the now deceased Jigsaw in a race against time. Supporting him are Forensic Hoffman from Saw III (Costas Mandylor) and two FBI agents; Agent Strahm played by Scott Patterson and Agent Perez, played by Athena Karkanis. It is Rigg’s task to make the right decisions involving the lives of people from his past, and those that Jigsaw has captured whom he hopes to save. Differently then the previous films, this test takes place across the city. No longer are we confined to one room, but instead has a Speed feel to it, only adding to its gripping conclusion. It is an intriguing premise that is better illustrated on screen, but it creates moral tests for those involved. The writing is top notch, especially when we delve into Jigsaw’s past. As FBI agents Strahm and Perez try to find out what is going on with Rigg, they interview John Kramer’s ex wife, where in a series of flash backs we see how he became to be Jigsaw and is an ingenious way to incorporate him back into the story. Ironically he has more screen time after his death then in the previous movies, but it is most welcome.

Everything we have seen in Saw through Saw IV comes to an explosive climax in this film and is gifted at raising the complexity and competence of the story, which unless it takes a turn for the worse is looking quite promising. Game over? I think not.