Saw: Movie Review

9.5/10

Everybody loves a good game, but what if your life depended on winning?  This 2004 film took this idea and made one of the most controversial and gripping films of the decade.  Ever since its release, it has acquired a near infamous status, and is a favorite amongst fans of the genre.  I personally loved this film, because of its high energy suspense, it's originality, and it's proficient filmmaking traits. 

The movie begins very weird with two men named Adam and Lawrence trapped in a room. They don't know how they got there, and they really have no clue of why either. This scene really sets the mystery for what is to come, and it was done extremely well.  I really love the way that they use their brains and find clues rather than just panic, because it sets the film apart from many others in the genre. 

As the two of them try to figure things out, they both find a tape in their pocket.  Using a casette player, they hear a message from a mysterious man.  Basically, these two are in a game, and they have to kill the other person, or they will die.  I honestly have never heard of a plot like this before, and it is one of the most genius ideas ever.  

Along with the originality in plot, there is also very unique and twisted scenes of violence.  Even though the gory scenes aren't as often as many other films, everything is still sadistic, disturbing, and disgusting as can be.  I honestly don't know how the writers came up with the events, because they're so out of the ordinary that they were all original visions by these people. 

One of the things that I find quite innovative about the film is the motive for these sick crimes. The killer "Jigsaw" takes people that are morally corrupt, and does this as a way of "teaching them to value their life." This is why he gives them a chance to live if they do whatever he asks.  The thing that really blew me away was how the survivors said that they actually learned from what he did.  This isn't something I've ever seen before, because these people that went through the horrible event actually credited him for their recovery.  I almost see this as bringing the movie closer to real life, because that thought process never happens in the typical horror film. 

Another thing that I really like about the movie is the cinematography.  David A. Armstrong really did a great job of capturing the different moods in the atmosphere.  There is a general dimness to the lighting that really symbolizes how dark the film is, and there is a white motif in the room to make the viewer feel like they're in an interrogation room. The speeding up of the filming at certain points really gives a feeling of the time crunch victims are going through, and the abundance of stress that they're feeling.  These quick shots were also used very well to portray the pictures being taken at the investigations.  What all of these factors showed was that even though the filmmakers were on an extremely low budget, they used their resources well, and really did some artistic things.

The acting in this film was very very good.  Cary Elwes gave what I saw as his best performance ever.  He was such a likable person, and learned that he would do anything for his family.  The scene where he broke down crying about his wife and daughter was so genuine, that it put a tear in my eyes.  He obviously had a lot of inspiration for the scene, because he treated it like it was his real family.  Leigh Whannel was also pretty amazing, because he started off as such a jerk, but then completely changed his performance as the most selfless person in the room. Even though his character never said it, I feel it was symbolized that he really learned a lesson from the game. Michael Emerson really kicked butt as Zep, because he could pull of insanity in a way that many can.  Monica Potter and Makenzie Vega did great as Lawrence's family, because they really made us feel so much for them, because of their kind and helpless nature. The last significant actor in the movie was Danny Glover as Detective Tapp, because he was very tough in the role, and showed a lot of force in his tactics. 

The last half hour of this movie is extremely intense, and it is possibly one of the greatest climaxes in the genre.  Time is running out for the pair, and they become extremely desperate to save themselves and their families. In these scenes, there are full throttle fight scenes, and a whole lot of surprises.  Then to top things off, the film ends itself on one of the most surprising plot twists ever. I was so thrown off guard, and it made the entire movie so much better. 

"Saw" is definitely one of the coolest horror movies I have ever seen. It was brutal, twisted, and full of clever surprises that kept me on the edge of my seat until the credits rolled.  I truly see this film as one of the best horror flicks of the 2000's, and it is a worthy watch for any horror fan.  I will warn any potential viewers that it is a little morbid at times, but if you are down with that, then I definitely recommend it.