Saw (dvd)

I've yet to read a review that gets more than 3 sentences in without reference to SE7EN. Not surprising really as here's another sociopathic serial killer with a method to their madness and a plan for their philosophy.

Whereas SE7EN took the deadly sin theme, Saw attempts to play on the victim's vices or failings and compose traps and tests that will either teach them a lesson and cure them or torture them and kill them.

One of the taglines is 'Dare you see Saw?' and if you're at all squeamish about blood then this is not a film for you. But in putting all of its effort into devising gruesome endings and scenarios it misses its potential in psychological torture and dilemma - something I would find a whole level more squeamish.

Some great performances including an underused Danny Glover but the subplots, including his, don't quite hang together. This genre of film tends to all hinge and depend on the grand reveal: although you're kept guessing trying to work out the pieces of the jigsaw the impact of the reveal is somewhat lacking. Personally I believe it thinks its cleverer than it actually is, quickly drawing together disparate strands that don't really weave but certainly leaving the door open (or is that closed?) for the sequel later this year. More shock than awe.