The film opens with Adam and Lawrence (Whannell and Elwes) in a bathroom (as grisly as the film itself) their legs chained to pipes and a dead body between them holding a tape recorder in one hand and a gun in the other. Eventually the pair discovers the rules to the disturbing “game” they must play out for their sick captor (who watches via a video feed) and through their conversations we learn their back-stories as well as the serial killer’s.

I really liked how the film opened and closed (the most effective scenes take place in the bathroom) but the in between crime scenes and investigations were quite weak. Detective Somerset and Mills, these characters definitely are not! Whannell and Elwes did a fine job, but I was really shocked at how bad Glover’s (Detective Tapp) role was here. Also, for each good plot twist there was an equal, unnecessary throw away. While these missteps are forgettable when the big ending hits and the credits roll, they stick out a bit after some thought.

Saw isn’t the scariest movie I have ever seen, but it is easily one of the most disturbing and twisted. The film was originally rated NC-17 and there was a bit of talk in the aisles afterwards questioning if this cut was the new R or original NC17 version. This I do not know, however, I will say if you don’t like psychological thrillers or horror movies you will want to stay far, far away from this one. This movie will give some people nightmares for sure. If you lust for blood and guts and can overlook some common sense plot holes this is right up your alley!

(04-1017)