Saw IV review
By Maikel Steneker
The three first movies in the Saw series have been quite different to each other. While the first movie heavily relied on deep characters and a lot of mystery surrounding them, the second movie concentrated on the gore that made the first movie so successful. The third movie introduced a completely different story, in which someone actually had to be saved. This made the third movie more of a medical thriller than another horror movie.
Overall, the first three movies were reviewed positively. For the fourth movie, it was announced that the directors were planning to drastically change the movie – again. Darren Lynn Bousman, the director behind Saw II and Saw III was to direct this movie as well. However, this time, the result is disappointing.
Before I tell about the story, I will summarize what the first three movies were all about. In the first movie, two men are locked down in a room. They are chained, and the saw they received cannot break the chains. A lot of strange events happen, and in the end one of them cuts off his foot to rescue him and his fellow-sufferer. This whole happening is revealed to be a test by a serial killer who goes by the name of Jig Saw. His sick game continues in the second movie, which relies heavier on gore. The third game seemed to finish the trilogy – the movie is about a nurse who has to keep Jig Saw alive as long as possible. In the end she fails, and the serial killer finally dies.
Saw IV starts with a shot of the autopsy of the body. It is confirmed that Jig Saw is dead, as his brains are removed and his body is cut open. The stomach reveals a startling surprise; one of the famous tapes Jig Saw records his messages on is found. On this tape, he reveals that – while he is dead – his “tests” will not die with him. It is revealed that one of the cops who has been fighting against Jig Saw all this time is in the middle of one of his little games. And he hasn't got much time.
I will not continue to tell about the plot of the game, as it will spoil all the shocking detais the movie is all about. I will reveal that the actors are again very realistic. The fright can be read from their faces, and the panic flashes through their eyes. Even Tobin Bell, the actor of Jig Saw, returns, and he is as scary as always.
The movie has some clear downsides too. The music in this movie is not nearly as memorable as the music in the first movies. The movie does not add any real improvements over the other movies. The plot is practically the same as the plot from the other movies. The one thing that Saw IV proves is that the powerful formula is dying. Jig Saws reasoning, which was brilliant in the other movies, is not so genius after all, and the history that's supposed to explain Jig Saws past just doesn't make enough sense to impress the audience.
In the end, Saw IV fails to impress. It's just another Saw movie, nothing more, nothing less. The series aren't ruined yet – far from that – but it's obvious that the writers couldn't came up with a really original plot this year. That said, if you are a fan of the gore that Jig Saw introduced in the first Saw and continued in Saw II and III, go and see this movie. If you watched the movies because of their twisted plots, think twice about watching this movie and look for some other thrillers this season.
