Saw II - Review

[Haggisboy]

In 2004 the production team of James Wan and Leigh Whannell teamed up to bring to Saw (http://www.sawmovie.com/) to the screen. The movie, which told in unconventional fashion, the story about two men who awake to find themselves chained at the ankle at opposite ends of a filthy industrial washroom, only to realize they were the latest victims of the mastermind named Jigsaw, quietly made a name for itself among horror buffs. With tight pacing, adequate acting, and a terrific twist, the movie was a breath of fresh air in the otherwise drearly sub-genre of serial killer/slasher movies, and surprisingly gore free.

So, needless to say, the industry couldn't pass up the opportunity for a sequel.

While the original left mighty big boots to fill, I'm pleased to say that Saw II (http://www.saw2.com/) admirably steps up and, for the most part, fills them.

This time Whannell, who co-wrote (along with director Wan) and starred in the original has relegated himself strictly to the writing chair, and turned the directorial reins over to newcomer Darren Lynn Bousman (who also claims a co-writing credit).

The movie more or less picks up where the other left off, with Jigsaw still up to his old tricks. It wastes no time getting down to business with some hapless chap stuck in a death-mask device linked to a countdown timer, ticking away the seconds before he can either carve out the key that's been embedded in his eye socket, or die horribly as the spike covered contraption snaps shut.

Thus it begins. In some respects the movie brings yet more creative mayhem to the screen, mining the fertile ground pioneered in the first of forcing people to solve puzzles and make choices in order to survive (this time it's a room full of kidnapped victims who must find the antidote to deadly Sarin nerve gas before it's too late). Yet, the movie doesn't merely serve up more of the same inventiveness. Rather, it tells a parallel story line that is every bit as engrossing as the side story involving Cary Elwes' character from the first movie.

Clearly Hollywood has designs on turning this into a franchise, and I'm not sure the level of creativity can be maintained. Especially not if writer Whannell decides to bow out. Nonetheless, he hasn't spent his wad yet, so I strongly suggest if you liked Saw, check out the sequel. Oh yeah..... beware the puppet.

[The Cunt]

I've liked Leigh since he was doing film reviews on Recovery. He brought an enthusiasm and flavour to critiquing a movie that I had never seen before.

He was like a freakin' junkie explaining just how much the hit effected him.

It's probably a good move that he and Wan are moving back a step and relinquishing the lead and director roles, at least if it doesn't quite make the same impact they've got an excuse ;)

And if it does just as well if not better then they'll still be lavished with praise. Anjd deservedly so.

I'm not a horror fan. Though it's probably as much a thriller as it is a horror. But I really enjoyed the original movie. A lot.

[d3kst3r]

Saw is my favorite horror movie. I was a bit skeptical when Darren Bousman was slated to direct. I read his bio, his previous work was the water-boy for the X-files and he was fired from that. Doesn't instill much confidence. Glad to hear Saw 2 lives up to the franchise.

[Haggisboy]

I've liked Leigh since he was doing film reviews on Recovery. He brought an enthusiasm and flavour to critiquing a movie that I had never seen before.

Of what do you speak? What's Recovery?

[108]

He used to do movie reviews on FlyTV as well. I used to think he was a bit of a tosser.

[sagit]

Of what do you speak? What's Recovery?

Recovery was a weekend morning program on our primary public-funded TV station, ABC (aka Channel 2 and Australian Broadcasting Corporation).

[annie]

Leigh Whannell was on Recovery? Wow, you learn new things every day!

I'm hoping Saw 2 is close to the excellence of Saw, but I have no faith in sequals, so I expect to be disappointed. And that fucking puppet gives me nightmares! I hate moving toys or puppets and the like *shudder*

[Conny!]

Dylan Lewis is the bomb!

Sorry, just had to add that. And confuse the non-aussies even more. :D

[MAX POWER]

Glad to hear that it's good. The original was soooo good. Excellent twist!

[CapnCallipygian]

Dylan Lewis is the bomb!

Sorry, just had to add that. And confuse the non-aussies even more. :D
Is his band "Brown Hornet" still around, they were good.

[Scrat-atat]

just went to see the movie tonight. everything about this movie was better than the first. i absolutely loved the first one, but knew it had much more potential. The acting, for the most part, was a lot better, aside from the drug dealer, hated his acting. The twists in the movie were fantastic. this will definitely be a great franchise, they haven't had a good horror/thriller series in a while that had very creative writing and plot twists. did anyone else see the trailer of the tarrantino movie coming up? that looks sadistic and it seems as if they're piggy backing the idea of saw and just tweaking the concept a bit to make it different, but...it's tarrantino...and because of that...i must see it.

[Haggisboy]

this will definitely be a great franchise, they haven't had a good horror/thriller series in a while that had very creative writing and plot twists.

Actually, I wasn't fond of the ending in terms of "franchise" viability. The way I see it, if done properly there can be one more decent installment in this series to wrap it up. But that would involve Jigsaw actually cooperating with the police.

[Kyle]

I wanted to kill myself throughout Saw I and Saw II. They were both really horrible, but at least the first kept me interested. I really do think the way Saw kills his victims is novel and interesting, but the acting and the way the whole thing comes together just makes me not enjoy the series.

My friends were smashed drunk in the movie and they hated it even though they LOVE every piece of crap on screen when they do that for the most part. Ouch.

[RusTsurfR]

I wanted to kill myself throughout Saw I and Saw II. They were both the worst movies i'd ever freakin seen. =P

My friends were smashed drunk in the movie and they hated it even though they LOVE every piece of crap on screen when they do that for the most part. Ouch.
no way...these movies were some of the most creative and original horror movies ever made. OK so maybe they were not "scary" exactly...but they were very suspenseful and had amazing twists. i cant wait to see the second one again

[Kyle]

I edited my original post right before you quoted it to make it less scathing. I do admit they are pretty original and it's cool to see what might happen next, but the lack of any sort of good acting takes away any enjoyment that can be had with these for me. I seriously laughed at least 20 times when I was watching it (when I wasnt supposed to) and two of my drunk friends fell asleep (they rarely do this...they continued partying throughout the night and into the next morning after the movie). Also, the ending was dreadfully predictable. I knew exactly what was the relationship between the captured were as soon as the first tiny foreshadowing was presented. Also the very end result was foreshadowed pretty obviously as well.

Just my opinion though, I tend to be a bastard when it comes to movies. =P

[Up_All_Night]

did anyone else see the trailer of the tarrantino movie coming up? that looks sadistic and it seems as if they're piggy backing the idea of saw and just tweaking the concept a bit to make it different, but...it's tarrantino...and because of that...i must see it.

what is this movie you're talking of?
because his next movie hasnt even been cast yet as far as im aware. unless its something like tarrantino presents or some thing

[Kyle]

No he's talking about Hostel. I'm semi frightened and semi excited for it. I'm scared because I tend to LOVE everything Tarantino directs, but it's apparently a continuation of the film "Cabin Fever" (even though it sounds nothing like it)...I guess written by the same guy....and Cabin Fever sucked some big ones in my opinion. It has some potential though and it seems pretty screwed up.

[RusTsurfR]

well you do make a point there....the acting could have been better which can make or break a movie for some people...but in my case it diddnt really ruin my enjoyment

[Kyle]

Yeah for sure, i'm just a movie snob :D

[Haggisboy]

I edited my original post right before you quoted it to make it less scathing. I do admit they are pretty original and it's cool to see what might happen next, but the lack of any sort of good acting takes away any enjoyment that can be had with these for me. I seriously laughed at least 20 times when I was watching it (when I wasnt supposed to) and two of my drunk friends fell asleep (they rarely do this...they continued partying throughout the night and into the next morning after the movie). Also, the ending was dreadfully predictable. I knew exactly what was the relationship between the captured were as soon as the first tiny foreshadowing was presented. Also the very end result was foreshadowed pretty obviously as well.

Just my opinion though, I tend to be a bastard when it comes to movies. =P

You want to see a bad film? Go see Stealth. Both of the Saw films are Oscar contenders in comparison to that piece of crap.

[Kyle]

Lol yeah, I decided against seeing Stealth, the trailer made me want to stab myself in the eyes. :D

And seriously, no offense to your guys' opinion, I just hated that movie so much. I love you guys though. So much I might even invite you to an orgy if I were to have one.

[Up_All_Night]

but it's apparently a continuation of the film "Cabin Fever" (even though it sounds nothing like it)...I guess written by the same guy....and Cabin Fever sucked some big ones in my opinion. It has some potential though and it seems pretty screwed up.

cabin fever was one of the shittest movies ive even payed to see in a cinema

[Kyle]

I agree wholeheartedly. The only worthwhile part of that whole freaking movie was the last minute of it. But it would have been better spoken as a 2 minute joke.

[Up_All_Night]

Just came back from seeing Saw 2, really enjoyed it. I'd have to say it was better than the first, and im looking forward to the sequel. But it'll be fucking hard for them to do one this good. This one was based on another script adapted to be Saw 2, which i'd say would have contributed alot to the differences between the two films. My guess is they'd do an original script for the next sequel, so can they come up with an interesting enough story, we'll see.

[d3kst3r]

Saw are a pretty kickass horror franchise. Lion's Gate Films have already bought the domain names for saw3 up to 7. Each movie costs about 5 mil to make and makes back 100 mil so the profit percentage is the absolute highest that Hollywood has ever come up with. Expect lots more Saws.

[d3kst3r]

PS. That chick that become's the new Jigsaw is the same chick from Becker. She plays that really dumb nurse.

[Up_All_Night]

Its funny on the saw 1 dvd they were saying when they were casting her role, one of them used to have a crush on the actress so they just said her name not expecting her to want to do it. Then they got a call back or something saying, she's up for it.

Looks hotter with short hair.

[Nodbugger]

Both movies have amazing large and obvious plot holes.

[hazza]

Both movies have amazing large and obvious plot holes.
such as?


i thought it was cool, i was stoned so it was pretty scary and freaked me out abit, i actually might watch it again to see it properly. it entertained me for a couple of hours so yeah, decent movie.

[Up_All_Night]

Yeah which plot holes you speak of? For this sort of movie, there was nothing i can remember that i was like, "hey that doesnt make sense". or I couldnt make sense of.

[peto]

Token nonsense Noddy post?

EDIT: spellying!

[Nodbugger]

Well in the first one, a Cancer patient was able to sit on the floor completely motionless for a fairly long time.

Another one is that no one was ever hungry.


Something else I noticed is that is old man who has cancer can attack and knock out perfectly healthy people. Especially that drug dealer guy! How the hell did the girl or john get him?

How about how he has to relocate in the first movie, how did he get his operation set back up so quickly?

Where are all these abandoned places he can just kill people in?

He said he never killed anyone, when he obviously did. He put the gas into the house, which killed several people.

I'll get more later.

[tomsyman]

I didn't get in the first one why the kidnapper guy knew to go to the bathroom place when he ran out of the apartment. What did it serve the cancer guy telling him where the action was going down?

[Up_All_Night]

before i type anythign i will point out i am exceptionally drunk


Well in the first one, a Cancer patient was able to sit on the floor completely motionless for a fairly long time.

this isnt a plot hole, honestly i dont know if cancer makes you fidgit or not.. do you? just pretend he took something to reduge that..


Another one is that no one was ever hungry.

everything in the films took place in a short amount of time. Im sure when your life is in danger your thoughts are more than burger king...

QUOTE=Nodbugger]
Something else I noticed is that is old man who has cancer can attack and knock out perfectly healthy people. Especially that drug dealer guy! How the hell did the girl or john get him?
[/QUOTE]
He employs and uses other people to help commit his crimes.


How about how he has to relocate in the first movie, how did he get his operation set back up so quickly?

what?????? i think you didnt understand, he used the nurse to set shit up...


Where are all these abandoned places he can just kill people in?

Plot device and there are plenty of places people dont go..


He said he never killed anyone, when he obviously did. He put the gas into the house, which killed several people.


this is irrelevent.. he's a pyscho and his thing is giving people a choice to live or die. Did you understand the movie?