“Saw” could very possibly be one of the most brutal films I have seen in a while. It opens with two men waking up in a dark, dirty, run down bathroom. They are chained to pipes by their ankles, there is a dead man who shot himself in the head lying in the middle of the room, and blood has seeped everywhere. The only items in the room are a gun and mini-tape player in hands of the dead man. As the story advances we find that they are victims of a killer known as “The Jigsaw Killer” and that in order for one man’s family to live, he must kill the other man in the room.
As the story continues it is clear to see that “Saw” is very original in its plot, its killings, and its setting, yet is still full of twists that I couldn’t see coming. It also has multiple plot lines that tie together at several places along the story. Along with those perks, its frantic acting and logical storyline was very refreshing during the current dry spell of good horror movies. Unlike its fellow scary movies of the present day, “Saw” does not rely upon cheap scares, quick movements, or useless violence to get a reaction. Instead it uses gory imagery, ghastly details, realistic situations, a good plot and story, and sickening ideas to plant bewilderment and distress into those watching the movie.
It was also very invigorating to see a movie that hasn’t been done before. Unlike many of the recent scary movies, it is not a remake, nor another chapter in series of movies. This freshness of ideas gives me some hope in a Hollywood which seems to be running out of good ideas. The biggest downside to the movie comes in the form of actors; the acting blows. But, name a classic horror movie that has grade-A acting, and I'll give you a present.
Overcoming the overdone, “Saw” not only matches the other great films in its genre, but overcomes them with its originality and spectacular attention to details. Even the highest budget horrors can’t touch the sickness invoked by “Saw”. And after a lot of disappointing horror movies, it is good to see a movie that follows through on its claim to freak out the audience and still make them cringe hours after the movie has ended. It’s not a film for the weak of stomach, but if you want a real horror-suspense movie, then “Saw” is worth the money.