FILM: SAW VII(3D)
Review By Duncan McLeod
Cast: Costas Mandylor,Betsy Russell, Cary Elwes
Director: Kevin Greutert
Synopsis: The Saw series continues with this seventh entry, spearheaded by director Kevin Greutert. Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton also are back to pen the script, which details the ongoing exploits of long-dead serial killer Jigsaw and the people who continue his gruesome morality lessons
Review: The SAW franchise is much the same as the POLICE ACADEMY franchise. As it progresses it gets more and more ridiculous and you don’t exactly know whether to laugh or cry. With the SAW franchise however both responses are appropriate. The money-spinning technique of making something 3D to add bottom-line value rather than adding anything to the actual plot or performance is in full swing here.
This 7th installment aims to tie up many loose ends and it does so quite effectively.
The factors that remain consistent throughout, that keep audiences returning to the train wreck, are the cinematography, which once again is rich and vibrant, the thought process behind the traps, which seems to advance with each film, and the splatter factor – the amount of blood/guts/gore that can be produced all in the name of shock.
Even though Jigsaw himself is dead, his legacy still lives on. With his wife Jill (Betsy Russell) and Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) to continue his deeds there is still enough Saw gore to go around.
Costas Mandylor has carved out a career with this franchise. One hopes that he is rewarded handsomely with each new installment as his trademark two-dimensional acting and deadpan persona have all but assured that he won’t get work after this series has been put to rest.
The remainder of the ensemble cast are familiar faces mainly, save for one man who purports to be a Jigsaw “survivor”. None of them really make an impact and the characters limp along without much chemistry.
Director Kevin Greutert who helmed installment six returns here. It is an improvement on the last effort though just another piece in the puzzle and not a stand out by any means.
On reflection my rating has been lowered from its initial score and although everything about it makes you wish it was the last installment you can be assured they’ll invent something ridiculous to keep the cogs turning. Die hard fans of the series will see it just to satisfy the need, but most will walk away underwhelmed.
