“Saw 3-D” releases a skin-tearing, throat-ripping good time.
The concluding chapter of the franchise centers on a man who falsely claims to have been a Jigsaw trap survivor. He is put into the very test he lied about in a twisted version of Ralph Edward’s “This Is Your Life.”
The subplot revolves around the charismatic Hoffman, one of Jigsaw’s disciples, who returns to put the traps in motion. However, his main focus is to get revenge on Jigsaw’s widow, Jill, after her failed attempt to kill him in the last film.
Jill has always irritated me and her whining is even more profound in “Saw VII,” as she pleads with the cops to protect her from Hoffman. I found myself cheering for Hoffman to kill off the annoying blonde. Why the mastermind of the Saw traps hooked up with such an irritating woman is beyond me.
“Saw 3-D” keeps with the franchise’ ability to remain one of the few films that make this horror buff flinch and turn away from the screen. It almost earned an NC-17 rating and it’s obvious why. The traps are creative and disgusting. Some scenes aren’t food-friendly, so I don’t recommend eating.
Few can deny that every Saw film had memorable traps. The pile of dirty needles in the second, the bone-snapping machine in the third and the hair-ripping apparatus in the fourth are just a few. This final installment was no exception.
A special treat was the 3-D effect. Popping blood and splashing gore were nice touches that included the viewer in the horror. There’s not just one twist in “Saw 3-D,” but two. I won’t ruin either for you, but they’re “doozies.”
Many people don’t like the multitude of Saw films, but I’ve always enjoyed them. I hope that “Saw 3-D” does well in the box office. This franchise has always been one of my favorites. The ending leaves the possibility for more movies and, let’s face it, more gore is better.
