Movie Review: Saw 5

Saw 5

So Nicholas and I took a break from our movie-date this weekend, I had a friend in town, so Lucas sat beside me this week as we saw Saw 5. It was after all Halloween weekend, and we had just eaten our body weight in chili's food and I wanted to sit down for two hours so we went to the theater and Saw was the only thing playing at that time (besides the Haunting of Molly Hartley, which is rated PG-13, and I do not like watching scary movies that are not rated R). My history with the Saw films is this. I saw the first one, it didn't really live up to my standards, however I enjoyed the 2nd film. The third was one of the worst movies I've seen, and I didn't see the fourth. So going into this I knew I was a movie behind, and wondering how it would affect me.

Lets just say this, Saw V is made for people who LOVED Saw 1-4. People who love them so much they, say, may want to see them again. Never fear, you don't need to go out and buy the dvd's of those films, just go see Saw V. This movie shows so many scenes from the previous film, one wonders why they exist (or more importantly why this one exists). Honestly, the Saw series is not one that depends heavily on a plot, but this installment surely tries to make you care about the back story, which I am sure no one cares about. Might I just add that the killer "Jigsaw" (played by Corbin Bell) dies in the 3rd film. Never fear he is still featured here ... in the never-ending flashbacks and tape recordings. (Corbin himself is a producer of the film).

This film is about a detective who has been on the Jigsaw case from the beginning (I dont really remember him from the other films, but I am guessing he was in them). Another detective/victim of the Jigsaw, who survived, finds out that said other detective was in on some of the murders and sets out to serve justice. Are you interested? I wasn't either. This plot is boring and stupid. Saw 5 only succeeds on its side plot, 5 people trapped in a maze of the jigsaw's terror games. There are 5 different rooms, and one of them must die for a door to open and the remaining slip through. (Nevermind that Jigsaw is dead and couldn't have really made this trap 2 movies ago). The "game" between these 5 is actually fun, in that disgusting terror-porn Saw way.

Obviously people go to Saw to be grossed out. The movies aren't scary, not at all. But they are shocking and sometimes terrifying. This one lies somewhere in the middle. The begining torture segment is rather terrifying and completely gory. The ones in the middle are forgettable, and the end packs a punch. If you have a weak stomach, this isn't the film for you (however its pretty tame considering some of the other Saw films). Also if you like solid acting, this isn't the film for you. Looking for an interesting plot? Not the film for you. Interested in something new or creative? Nope, not here.

The Saw franchise will continue though. I expect every Halloween we will have a new Saw film, until people stop going. Every movie has debuted at number 1, this one no exception. And VH1's show "Scream Queens" is looking for a lead for Saw 6 right now, so it's around for another year at least. I don't know how much more I can take, but I will say this: The end of the film leaves you hanging, as would an hour long television show with a cliff-hanger ending. Its definately got that: to be continued ending. Which I hate. I'm sure some people will love this movie, I however am not one of those people.

* out of *****