Every Halloween for the past four years has been marked by the opening of one of the “Saw” films, and this year was not one to disappoint. Jigsaw’s grotesque work is back and more gruesome than ever, as he tries to stress the importance of appreciating life through testing one’s will to live. With a mix of old and new victims, “Saw 5” ties up a lot of the loose ends that we were left in the fourth, and yet it still manages to leave us hanging and anxiously awaiting “Saw 6”.
The plot of the story revolves around Detective Hoffman, who provided us with the climactic scene in the last movie, when he revealed himself as one of Jigsaw’s apprentices. “Saw 5” allows us to see how Hoffman became acquainted with John and how through a tainted past and a vengeful heart, accepted his offer to help him carry along his work.
By Stephanie Wytovich
Staff Writer
Every Halloween for the past four years has been marked by the opening of one of the “Saw” films, and this year was not one to disappoint. Jigsaw’s grotesque work is back and more gruesome than ever, as he tries to stress the importance of appreciating life through testing one’s will to live. With a mix of old and new victims, “Saw 5” ties up a lot of the loose ends that we were left in the fourth, and yet it still manages to leave us hanging and anxiously awaiting “Saw 6”.
The plot of the story revolves around Detective Hoffman, who provided us with the climactic scene in the last movie, when he revealed himself as one of Jigsaw’s apprentices. “Saw 5” allows us to see how Hoffman became acquainted with John and how through a tainted past and a vengeful heart, accepted his offer to help him carry along his work.
There isn’t a lot that I can say about the story line of the movie because any small detail would give some aspect away. I will, however, say that the story picks up in the chamber that we were left in during “Saw 4”, and despite complications, one person does survive. Also, to keep those of you that haven’t seen it in suspense, John (Jigsaw) sends a message to his wife from the dead. He leaves her with a present that will be sure to shock audiences and turn a few stomachs.
While the story is filled with unexpected twists and plenty of gore, I was a little bit disappointed with the interpretation of the machines. From one horror buff to another, I feel that Jigsaw is starting to slack. In the beginning, his blueprints, and games were so well thought out and intricate that I was shocked how any one person could ever imagine a device so evil and lurid, yet know, we are faced with more common weapons such as nail bombs. The games are still intense and suspenseful, but I feel like the initial shock factor has worn off because I was expecting more.
Overall, I would definitely recommend going to see “Saw 5”, especially if you have been a dedicated fan like myself from the beginning. While Jigsaw seems to be losing his flair in some aspects, he more than makes up for them in other areas. “Saw 5” not only answers questions from the past, but creates new ones for future, and by doing so, remains in my good favor. Be prepared to be on the edge of your seat, because this movie will be sure to make your gag reflex activate and your stomach start to churn. And if the sound effects of bones breaking and tendons stretching aren’t enough for you, you can always count on the suspense of the 60 second games to fulfill your hunger for the grotesque and twisted.
