It’s Halloween again, which means that it’s time for Jigsaw to play another game. As fans of the series know, the Saw movies have been churned out like clockwork since the original movie’s release in 2004, giving viewers an insight into the mind of a serial killer who technically isn’t a murderer.
Saw 6 begins with the traditional victim(s) in a trap, forced to make a horrible choice between surviving torturous pain and/or maiming, versus suffering a painful death (the standard situational opening of all the movies, except for Saw 4). The trap is unique (aren’t they all?), and starts the movie off with a rush of adrenaline.
From there, the movie continues right where Saw 5 ended, as the dumbass Agent Strahm ignored the clues and warnings left by Jigsaw’s apprentice/accomplice Detective Hoffman, and ended up getting crushed like a cookie in a compacting room. Hoffman set-up evidence in Jigsaw’s "lair," leading the FBI to suspect Strahm as Jigsaw’s partner. However, as several evidentiary inconsistencies arise between Jigsaw’s victims, the FBI begins to suspect Hoffman’s possible involvement.
Simultaneously, Hoffman is preparing to enact Jigsaw’s purported "final" game, starring William, a health care insurance supervisor (played capably by Peter Outerbridge). William’s cold probability risk calculation effectively sentences risky policyholders to death, via the denial of their claims. William is tested by Jigsaw four times before the final and ultimate test; each test involves William’s kidnapped associates/family trapped in a different situation, where William is the ultimate decision maker.Jigsaw, appearing extensively once again through flashbacks, sets the tone by telling William that his insurance risk calculation does not take into account one key factor: a person’s will to live. In fact, that’s what the Saw movies have always been about; man’s will to live and his ability to appreciate life. To what extreme will a person facing death go in order to survive and be rehabilitated?
The trap scenes are as intense as always, and the explanation of what must be done, given by Billy (Jigsaw’s eerie puppet) never gets old. One particular trap, involving a makeshift merry-go-round, is simultaneously amusing and horrifying, as William’s insurance team members turn on each other in a heartbeat in an attempt to save their skin and try to convince William that their life is worth more than that of the others.
It’s amazing to see how the writers logically and coherently tie each sequel to the previous movies; we find out more about Amanda’s motivations throughout the first three movies, as well as how deep the animosity was between Hoffman and Amanda (each seemingly dueling for Jigsaw’s affection). Another key revelation involves Jill Krammer’s knowledge and possible involvement with her ex-husband’s games.
Directing his first movie of the Saw series, Kevin Greutert does a pretty good job, but is not as dynamic as Saw’s mainstay director Darren Lynn Bousman. The acting is great for a horror movie, which is to say that no one overacts. Costas Mandylor as Detective Hoffman still feels like a bland character with questionable motivation. Comparatively, Tobin Bell does a phenomenal job once again as Jigsaw, displaying why his character is arguably the most fascinating in the history of horror, and leaving the audience wanting more (considering that Saw 7 and 8 have already been green-lighted, we’re likely to get our wish).Critics who claim that the Saw series is so-called "torture-porn" don’t understand that the appeal of the series isn’t the gruesome deaths (exciting as they are), but in discovering what the next twist in the smart, well-scripted story will be and how it will fit into the overall saga. The ending of Saw 6 fulfills some of these expectations, but ultimately leaves the audience with more questions than answers, which is a disappointment. Having said that, if you are a fan of the series (which I’m presuming you are if you’re reading this review), you’ll enjoy the latest movie and will be lining up for next year’s installment.
3 ½ out of 5 Stars
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