Saw ‘Saw’ for first time, now don’t have to see ‘Saw’ again

Saw, the influential horror film from director James Wan, is ready to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Producing a number of successful sequels and helping progress the horror genre down dark (and unnecessary) paths, the movie has become somewhat legendary, akin to a modern classic. However, after watching the seminal film, it’s difficult to back its supposed brilliance. The plot is held together by the loosest of connections. The performances are believable (and perhaps the strongest part of the film), but the simplicity of everything seems like a cop-out rather than an inspired storytelling technique.

Lawrence Gordon (Carey Elwes) wakes up in a dingy, dirty bathroom of a tucked-away warehouse. He’s chained to a pipe, and he has some company in the room. There’s another man (Adam, played by screenwriter Leigh Whannell) across the room, similarly chained to a pipe. Then there’s a dead man lying face down in the middle of the floor. Lawrence has no idea how he came to this predicament, but he wants out — and he wants to live.

The two men find themselves the puppets in a horrific game set up by a serial killer known as Jigsaw. Through a series of messages from the killer, who is obviously watching their every move, they find out the details of their mission. In order to escape, and play by Jigsaw’s rules, they need to do some scary, gut-busting (literally) actions. Will they debase themselves to save their lives?

On the outside of these dilapidated walls is David Tapp (Danny Glover), a detective trying to piece together Jigsaw’s puzzle. Helping him is Steven Sing (Ken Leung). They walk through Jigsaw’s previous work and try to find clues on where the serial killer is holed up, where he’s keeping his current victims. It’s a race against the clock (and our patience) to find Lawrence and Adam alive and with some sense of dignity. Even if they are still alive, will they be able to live with themselves?

Saw is a watchable horror film. If the surprises are kept hidden from the viewer, there can be some joy in figuring out Jigsaw’s game. However, once the revelations begin to materialize, it becomes clear that Wan and company are spinning a rather empty yarn. There’s no impetus or motivation for telling this story. We don’t learn too much about any of the characters, and the focus always remains on the torturous deeds in this makeshift jail cell.

The scares in a horror film should be based on cinematic style (the beeps and whistles) and a sense of caring for the characters. At any film’s heart, we need to want a fitting resolution. In Wan’s later work, including Insidious and The Conjuring, we have that characterization, and the fright factor is consequently heightened. Saw is an exercise in gore, and there’s no break from the depravity.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Saw

• 2004

• Directed by James Wan

• Written by Leigh Whannell

• Starring Carey Elwes, Danny Glover, Whannell and Ken Leung

• Running time: 100 minutes

• Rated R for strong grisly violence and language

• Rating: