wusmmik
10-25-2005, 03:29 AM
Saw Cary Elwes, Danny Clover, Leigh Whannell (also co-wr.) and James Wan (co-wr, dir)
In anticipation of "Saw II", I thought I'd go back over this surprising thriller that came out of nowhere last year. In the history of horror films, those films that literally burst on to the scene beneath of shroud of mystery are often the touchstones of this branch of cinema. First, there was "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", next we had "Halloween", then "The Blair Witch Project" and now this grisly gem.
Saw is unlike most other horror films made today. Post-"Scream", we saw too many slasher films that had some ironic twist. Post-"The Ring", we now see too many films where someone is afraid of the unknown. Now, don't get me wrong I loved both of these movies (esp. the J-horror stuff..)-but it's time for something new. The remakes of classics are a good idea, but none really has the same impact as its predecessor. So, along comes this low-budget film with no real stars and a chilling premise laid out in the advertising.
The closest predecessor to this one is maybe.."se7en". But unlike that chiller, Saw takes place in the belly of the beast. Most of the movie is spent in a dank, stark bathroom and the director lets the drama unfold unlike a horror film, or the X-Files, but like a classic stage play. Imagine, waking up in a room with the lights on and discovering that you are chained to a pipe and at the other end of the room there is someone else in the same predicament. Inbetween you, a dead body. Now, you discover that in order for you to see your family again-you must kill the other person. That's a heavy premise folks. One that immediately has only a few combinations but a million consequences.
What follows I dare not explore because it will ruin this for you. The mix of grisly violence and suspense will likely make your stomach hurt. The script and the direction are the real stars here, everytime you think you have a moment to figure this out..the tale takes another twist. The acting is good, not very good, just good..I mean come on this is low budget filmmaking at its finest. Toss aside any problems you have with the acting (yes, some have even laughed at it) and revel in the suspense and story.
Will Saw II live up to the expectations of this one? It has 8 people locked up in a room instead of 2, so more permutations (and opportunity to screw it up) await.
In anticipation of "Saw II", I thought I'd go back over this surprising thriller that came out of nowhere last year. In the history of horror films, those films that literally burst on to the scene beneath of shroud of mystery are often the touchstones of this branch of cinema. First, there was "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", next we had "Halloween", then "The Blair Witch Project" and now this grisly gem.
Saw is unlike most other horror films made today. Post-"Scream", we saw too many slasher films that had some ironic twist. Post-"The Ring", we now see too many films where someone is afraid of the unknown. Now, don't get me wrong I loved both of these movies (esp. the J-horror stuff..)-but it's time for something new. The remakes of classics are a good idea, but none really has the same impact as its predecessor. So, along comes this low-budget film with no real stars and a chilling premise laid out in the advertising.
The closest predecessor to this one is maybe.."se7en". But unlike that chiller, Saw takes place in the belly of the beast. Most of the movie is spent in a dank, stark bathroom and the director lets the drama unfold unlike a horror film, or the X-Files, but like a classic stage play. Imagine, waking up in a room with the lights on and discovering that you are chained to a pipe and at the other end of the room there is someone else in the same predicament. Inbetween you, a dead body. Now, you discover that in order for you to see your family again-you must kill the other person. That's a heavy premise folks. One that immediately has only a few combinations but a million consequences.
What follows I dare not explore because it will ruin this for you. The mix of grisly violence and suspense will likely make your stomach hurt. The script and the direction are the real stars here, everytime you think you have a moment to figure this out..the tale takes another twist. The acting is good, not very good, just good..I mean come on this is low budget filmmaking at its finest. Toss aside any problems you have with the acting (yes, some have even laughed at it) and revel in the suspense and story.
Will Saw II live up to the expectations of this one? It has 8 people locked up in a room instead of 2, so more permutations (and opportunity to screw it up) await.