Saw V Movie Review

Despite all the negative reviews that I have been seeing around, I have to say that this was a great entry in the Saw series. Saw V begins where Saw III/IV left off (those two taking place at the same time and all). Agent Strahm sets out to put an end to the whole Jigsaw mystery. He knows there is something suspicious about Hoffman and that he has some secrets that connect him to Jigsaw, while Hoffman is trying to rid the evidence and people who may spoil his reputation and figure out his involvement. All the while there is a group of five people trapped in a game of their own who must work together and vie to be the last one alive.

Saw V carries out another very intriguing story and it creates constant suspense. Although there are several parts that seem to be predictable, it all isn’t as it seems. The acting in this film was fine; the cast was believable and did exactly what they were supposed to do, entertain and make us fear for them. Having said that the characters in the group trap were not all the most developed characters, but I still felt some empathy for them in some scenes. I think that there should have been more of those characters and their game in the film. The one complaint I had about the characters was not the way they acted, but whom the writers didn’t include. Amanda didn’t have a role in it, and although she wasn’t in the fourth either, I was hoping she would somehow make a return.

The film is full of flashbacks, some about how Hoffman became an apprentice, which is a really absorbing story. The film also once again shows us some of the ways the different traps were set-up, which is always really cool. We also got a more background information on a few characters from the previous films.

When it was all over I walked out very impressed. I was excited to see it and when I saw negative reviews I lost some excitement. Needless to say I was very satisfied with the film. Obviously do not watch the film if you have missed any of the previous instalments, especially III and IV, you will be lost, although this is more straightforward than Saw IV. This is also a better movie than Saw IV in my opinion. It was intriguing, intense, gory enough, had cool flashbacks, neat traps and a good ending, despite the lack of a huge twist. I highly recommend this film to horror fans, and especially Saw fans, it was very well done and the good outweighs the bad most certainly.

Saw5 review - saw 5 review - saw v

First of all I just want to say that I am a huge fan of the SAW franchise, and come every October I can’t wait for the next installment, but I have to admit I was a tad disappointed this time around. Also, unless you have a good memory, I don’t, I’d suggest watching the last couple again, SAW V has a lot of flashbacks, flash forwards, and although it does come together towards the end, up until that point you may be scratching your head until it bleeds.

I recall some comments previously about the pendulum in the trailer scene and how it seemed lame, but I have to tell you it’s one of the better kills this time around, and a great way to open the film.

The story picks up where SAW III and IV left off, confused already? and revolves around Agent Strahm (Scott Paterson), managing a nifty escape from one of Jigsaw’s traps, one of the better and clever moments of the film, and his continuing investigation. Seems like Jigsaw may have another disciple besides Amanda in his flock as the crimes seem to be continuing. Throw in a number of flashbacks from the earlier films, 5 strangers who must work “together” to survive some ingenious booby traps, and a cat and mouse chase ending and you have your nifty little story. And this is where it falters a bit. I thought this was a bit to plot heavy and a few of the games all relied on a similar outcome if they failed, which was mediocre at best. But that’s not to say there weren’t some good ones too, think band saw, and the ending, although you saw it coming a mile away, was a hoot! I give credit to the writers for at least churning out another decent sequel where so much of them these days are pure train wrecks. Overall I’d have to recommend it, although I would’ve liked to have seen some better games and bloody outcomes, but it was 88 minutes of thrilling fun