Sunday, October 29, 2006

Spoiler-Free Movie Review: SAW III

Those of you who have been reading me for a while know that I am a big fan of the Saw movies. So naturally, the Hub and I had to hit the latest install, SAW III, on opening night this past Friday. Neither of us as a rule are fans of multi-sequels ... Almost always, the Hollywood movie machine will drive a concept so far into the ground that it's ruined beyond salvation - particularly with horror films. Once scary plots become predictable and stupid, and once terrifying monstermen become campy charicatures of their original selves while doling out gratuitous cheesy bloodbaths.

Allow me to say that Saw III is the best one yet.

Yes, it's gory. Extremely gory. Hub and I are both seasoned horror flick fans, and this chapter had both of us squirming and wincing. I even found myself looking away in a few parts. But I love the Saw movies because they are way more than sick graphic slash. The base stories and intricacies are deep, and Saw III took the cake. Layer upon layer of plot twist - darkly brilliant in its perfect factoring. And interestingly, an underlying moral.

Saw III is horror as horror should be done.

Now before all you guys who aren't into gory scary stuff poo-pooh me, I will say resoundingly, this is not a type of movie for everyone. If you don't like this genre, by all means, don't go see it. But if you like movies that make you think - evaluate - your life and your choices, while having the bejeebers creeped out of you, this is the movie for you. The Saw Trilogy, particularly Saw III, may be tasteless ;) but not mindless. You will think about its lessons for days.

You may even walk out with an epiphany.

12 comments:

Martie said...

I know for a fact that I will never watch this movie....I hate all horror flicks, but that's just me! Glad you and hub enjoyed it and hope you enjoyed your night out away from Incrediboy too! HUGS and Happy Halloween!

Nelly said...

Oh man! I want to see this movie so bad but I am a chicken shit! We usually wait for movies to come out on DVD before seeing them because we don't get out much with the kids. Thanks for the review because it will surely be on our list of must sees!!!

Saur♥Kraut said...

I'm a horror movie buff. However, I draw the line at movies which are sadistic, as I understand the Saw series to be.

I fear that such movies play on people's ultimate evil desires and give wonderful suggestions to the sociopaths which are out there. The FBI says that there are at least 35 serial killers active at any known time. A higher estimate is 500 (by Joel Norris). Either way, it's a menace. Perhaps a growing one. Why give them ideas?

And how does it corrupt our souls, when we are exposed to something which isn't merely frightening or gory, but potentially corrupting? Sure, we may not want to go out and torture someone (for this is what the films are about: torture). However, we certainly grow more immune to it.

Smerdyakov said...

Umm, if you're having philosophical breakthroughs after watching Saw.... well, let's just say that you probably need to get out more.

Anonymous said...

Well...you just talked me into going. I enjoyed the last 2.

Anonymous said...

No offense but I couldn't watch a movie like that. I would have images in my head for the rest of my life. And, I would probably end up in therapy. I absorb things way too much. A for example...this morning I'm taking my first break walk at work and overhead is a bird making a noise and flying around. I worry that the poor bird is in pain. I worry so much that I ask one of my fellow coworkers what he thinks might be wrong. Come to find out, it was some type of hawk that was making that noise to show this was his territory. And, here I was worrying myself that he was in pain! This is why I could not work in a hospital too. I would absorb everything around me and feel it. And, all those characters in the movie, I would absorb their feelings and pain even though it was fiction.

I will say that our movie guy on the local radio station said not to eat nachos during the recent Saw movie. That's warning enough for me and I'm not a big Mexican food fan.

Glad you enjoyed the movie. It did well at the box office, so you are not alone.

Saur♥Kraut said...

Happy Halloween! Since you're into this kind of stuff... Today I posted a true ghost story that happened to me over 13 years ago. Stop on over! ;o)

Joy said...

Trick or treat!
clew, better you than me. i'd be camping out in my roommate's bedroom for a couple of weeks, after viewing that movie.

Michelle said...

You know me and gore and horror. I'll take your word that this one is good.

Rebecca said...

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW.
Not my kind of movie. Funny, I love SEVEN and Silence of the Lambs but I just don't like real gory movies. Psychological thrillers do it better for me.

Glad you liked it though!

BigDadGib said...

Cool post. I just wish I could find more movie houses with BIG truck parking... lol

Anonymous said...

Hey, where'd my comment go?!