Saw III (2006)

Acting:		Partying:		Girls:
Blood:		Language:		Gore:
Violence:		Humor:		Sexuality:
Torture:		Predictability:		Overall:

Once in awhile all the kiddies in my neighborhood will start talking about a certain horror film that has just been released in many of the main theaters around my area. I remember when The Blair Witch Project came out around Halloween 1999 and the theaters were all packed at the midnight showing. It was crazy! There have been other films like this, ones that you just HAVE to see, and they all might not be superb films but they still have left an impact with today's audiences, just the same. Hostel might be a good example. Anyway, it seems quality these days is sometimes compromised with an over emphasis on recapturing the glory days of horror of both American and international styles. The gore is getting sick like 70 exploitation films (Last House on the Left, I Spit on your Grave, Cannibal Holocaust) and the film real nearly mimics the look and feel of such films as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Mario Bava's slasher, Bay of Blood. Going back to our roots is all fine and dandy, but it seems that many filmmakers are forgetting about some of the classic films, classic characters, and amazing performances of American horror past. In Saw III, you aren't going to find a performance like Ellen Burstyn's performance in The Exorcist. Audiences know ahead of time that they aren't going to sit through any of the Saw films and expect an amazing script with breakthrough talents in front of the camera...but why should we not expect this? I can't remember the last film (possibly The Exorcism of Emily Rose) that tried to horrify us and supply all the necessities to make an outstanding film. Why do we have to sit through the same underdeveloped characters, the same half ass script, and B movie acting? Why do horror fans sit through films like Saw III???

Now, don't get me wrong. The first two Saw films are brilliantly constructed. Together they are Seven and The Bone Collector's grizzly retarded cousins. A more distant relation perhaps. Well, add Saw III to the mix! It's really no different. Its many shortcomings are still obvious. Bahar Soomekh, who plays the beautiful Dr. Lynn, gives a very uneven performance along with Shawnee Smith who yet again plays Amanda, Jigsaw's new partner in crime. The first 20 minutes of the film are a little rough around the edges and it all will start to feel more like a long intro to the film than actual plot development to a twisting storyline. Jigsaw's intent with his new victims might be a little confusing at first too, but not to worry. Very soon, it will all click into place and audiences alike will once again feel right at home with Saw III. Good thing too...I was starting to get scared!

Once Saw III gets rolling, you're left with what the ...

continue reading...