Saw IV

As we continue to catch up with the Saw
franchise, it’s important to note that only the most intensely prudent writers will be able to avoid peppering their reviews with spoilers. I’m not one of those writers. In a sense, the Saw
movies are nothing but huge spoilers for themselves anyway, so there you go. At any rate, if you don’t want to know that the butler did it, you’ve been warned.

On the other hand, I haven’t got the slightest idea how Saw IV turns out anyway, so maybe it’s all good. The thing opens with a suitably gruesome autopsy scene; scalp peeling, ribcage cracking and brain weighing are the delights on display in two-tone. The grey and red color scheme mitigates the gore, one of many tactics employed to make this low ranker on the ooze scale seem even tamer than it is. There are a few nice set-pieces thrown out and about as we wonder how Jigsaw will continue his torturous games – this time by egging on a cop who must give up on his ‘obsession’ (like Jigsaw has, right?) while learning to feel what Jigsaw feels.

So we commence with a bunch of motorized chains that tear scalps, rip limbs and otherwise drag people with their eyes stitched shut to their untimely deaths. Or are those deaths timely after all? Again, everyone in the Saw universe has something to hide, as do their monkeys. But the most egregious sin is saved for the Jigsaw character himself, as the man is no longer just a misguided avenging angel, but now some sort of lethargic family man and all around saintly nice guy.

Please, give me a break. I’d also like some help in figuring out the ending, which – while sporting the stupidest Jigsaw trap ever – bandies about a little time shift mania amidst the sweat and frantic tears. I think the one responsible for the traps and killing actually traps and kills himself before traveling back and forth in time to warn himself that he’s not done killing, or something like that. But you do get to see some poor dude’s head pulverized by a pair of swinging ice hammers. Yeah, it’s that kind of party, and one that shoots down near the bottom of the Saw list. But you completists know you want it anyway, just please try to find a cheap used copy. Or, go to Amazon.com!