← Back to Reviews
in
SAW V (David Hackl)
"The Weakest Entry Yet..."
SAW V is about Hoffman trying to conceal the fact that he is Jigsaw's apprentice. People are put in traps...can they escape? Really, do I need to explain the plot of a SAW film to anyone by now? It's been the same movie for years now, only gradually getting worse and worse. SAW V is without a doubt the weakest entry yet to the SAW franchise. It tries too hard to set itself apart from the previous films and yet at the same time try to go back to it's roots. So why do I still see these films, well, it's a tradition. So you can bet I will see SAW VI and you can bet I probably won't like it.
So why does SAW V fail so much? Well, let me crack out the list.
One, it does not feel like a SAW film. SAW V puts the traps on the back end and focuses more on the story. Good right? Wrong. They basically took the same story from SAW III with Amanda and put it with Hoffman. This time we get flashbacks of Hoffman with Jigsaw, all of which I guess are suppose to be twisty but none ever catch you off guard. I don't know if it's weak writing or the fact that we've seen so many twists in this series that we can't spot them anymore. That goes for the ending too. Ever since the original SAW there has been a twist at the end to let the audience leave the theatre talking. This one doesn't have that. I was a bit disappointed. Seeing the twist is half the fun...isn't it?
Two, can we please stick with some characters here? Every film there are new characters introduced, fair enough. But do we always have to kill off the ones from previous films? I had the same problem with SAW III. Can we pick a character and stick with them? How are any of us suppose to connect with anyone when we know you are going to kill them off soon.
Three, the script. It has horrible dialogue scattered throughout the entire thing. Half ass scenes with the detective. We see Hoffmans's flashback and all of a sudden he puts the pieces together. Is he seeing what we are seeing? That can't be, but the film sure plays out like he can. The characters are not likable at all, specifically Hoffman and the 5 lucky people trapped in his game. Who are these people, they came and left quicker then you could say "I Want To Play A Game". Also, can get get some people who aren't completely stupid? You've been on this case for awhile now and you still don't know to actually 'listen' to the tape and follow the instructions. Maybe it's because I've watched all the films, but when I hear the words, "get in this box, it will save your life". I'm going to get in the damn box and not try to do something else that will eventually and obviously lead to my death.
We are given more scenes with no substance, that we have to wait for the next film. The box with Jigsaw's wife. We have no idea what's in there, we could guess, but hey, then what the hell would be the point of the next one right? The traps aren't as creative and seem even more implausible then before. Giant swinging pendulum of death???
I gave the creators of SAW credit for always turning out new films year after year and making it somewhat enjoyable. The sugar on top was how they all connected and how you actually did need to see the first ones to know what was going on. I'm sad to say the quality is slipping here. Sure they all still connect, but do we care about the connections anymore? I'm starting to grow tired of them. People still seem to love these movies, so let's have VI then call it quits before the films become a complete joke. To the fans, the critics have already sung their tunes on this franchise.
"The Weakest Entry Yet..."
SAW V is about Hoffman trying to conceal the fact that he is Jigsaw's apprentice. People are put in traps...can they escape? Really, do I need to explain the plot of a SAW film to anyone by now? It's been the same movie for years now, only gradually getting worse and worse. SAW V is without a doubt the weakest entry yet to the SAW franchise. It tries too hard to set itself apart from the previous films and yet at the same time try to go back to it's roots. So why do I still see these films, well, it's a tradition. So you can bet I will see SAW VI and you can bet I probably won't like it.
So why does SAW V fail so much? Well, let me crack out the list.
One, it does not feel like a SAW film. SAW V puts the traps on the back end and focuses more on the story. Good right? Wrong. They basically took the same story from SAW III with Amanda and put it with Hoffman. This time we get flashbacks of Hoffman with Jigsaw, all of which I guess are suppose to be twisty but none ever catch you off guard. I don't know if it's weak writing or the fact that we've seen so many twists in this series that we can't spot them anymore. That goes for the ending too. Ever since the original SAW there has been a twist at the end to let the audience leave the theatre talking. This one doesn't have that. I was a bit disappointed. Seeing the twist is half the fun...isn't it?
Two, can we please stick with some characters here? Every film there are new characters introduced, fair enough. But do we always have to kill off the ones from previous films? I had the same problem with SAW III. Can we pick a character and stick with them? How are any of us suppose to connect with anyone when we know you are going to kill them off soon.
Three, the script. It has horrible dialogue scattered throughout the entire thing. Half ass scenes with the detective. We see Hoffmans's flashback and all of a sudden he puts the pieces together. Is he seeing what we are seeing? That can't be, but the film sure plays out like he can. The characters are not likable at all, specifically Hoffman and the 5 lucky people trapped in his game. Who are these people, they came and left quicker then you could say "I Want To Play A Game". Also, can get get some people who aren't completely stupid? You've been on this case for awhile now and you still don't know to actually 'listen' to the tape and follow the instructions. Maybe it's because I've watched all the films, but when I hear the words, "get in this box, it will save your life". I'm going to get in the damn box and not try to do something else that will eventually and obviously lead to my death.
We are given more scenes with no substance, that we have to wait for the next film. The box with Jigsaw's wife. We have no idea what's in there, we could guess, but hey, then what the hell would be the point of the next one right? The traps aren't as creative and seem even more implausible then before. Giant swinging pendulum of death???
I gave the creators of SAW credit for always turning out new films year after year and making it somewhat enjoyable. The sugar on top was how they all connected and how you actually did need to see the first ones to know what was going on. I'm sad to say the quality is slipping here. Sure they all still connect, but do we care about the connections anymore? I'm starting to grow tired of them. People still seem to love these movies, so let's have VI then call it quits before the films become a complete joke. To the fans, the critics have already sung their tunes on this franchise.