Sometimes a new movie comes out that essentially rewrites an entire genre. Sometimes a franchise becomes so iconic, millions of people await the next installment with eager excitement. In other cases, there are movies like Saw. Saw is pretty unique but also follows a generic template for movies. Unfortunately, everything that made the franchise unique disappeared by the time Saw V rolled around. Let’s take a look at whatever it is I’m talking about during this Saw V Movie Review, shall we? Spoiler alert: this movie was bad.
Here’s a quick summary of the Saw franchise. People who have committed crimes, lead unsavoury lives or generally deserve a little bit of karma, get captured by a man named Jigsaw. Jigsaw puts them into rooms (often together) and gives them an option. They can either escape with their lives by completing challenges or they can die. Both are solid options. Though many of these challenges involve them getting pretty seriously hurt, they can also just use common sense to avoid injury. For example, “Don’t move from this area and you will live”. In many instances, the personality traits of a person cause them to immediately leave the area and, in a corresponding move, die. This is pretty evident in Saw V. Jigsaw’s whole thing is about making his captives learn personal lessons. Jigsaw technically does not kill anyone. He just leaves people to an educated game of chance.
The first 4 Saw movies feature some pretty elaborate ways to die. In this case, elaborate means horribly graphic and equally sadistic. Each movie gives you background information on each captive that summarizes why they are there. You can start to imagine what will be required of them based on their pasts. These people are at the focal point of each movie with a subplot lurking behind the scenes. Saw 5 takes things in a different direction. Instead of following the potential carnage of the captives, it focuses on a confusing storyline that helps explain Saw 1-4. This is aided (read: complicated) by using two almost identically-looking actors. Figuring out who’s who in darker scenes is a fun game on its own.
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There are a plethora of flashbacks to help you remember the first four Saw movies in case you started the franchise in the 5th movie. This might leave you wondering how much of this movie is original content. It’s almost like the film is just B-roll footage from the first couple installments mixed with a weird bridge to the 6th movie. These two angry cops are chasing after each other while selfish people are trying to figure out basic math. “If the tunnels are big enough to hold multiple people, but there aren’t enough individual tunnels for me to put my feet up, we need to fight each other to the death!”. Usually, the traps are more along the lines of “Ohhh. Good life lesson there! Really makes you think!” but Saw V is more like “Why don’t you just…okay, nevermind. You’re dead”. It’s a lot of fun. I guess.
Saw 1-4 is mostly about crazy traps and the people who have to escape them. You’re watching each movie for entertainment. These movies are mixed with an underlying storyline you can choose to follow for continuity or you can just enjoy the carnage. Saw V, on the other hand, is mostly a backstory no one was questioning (nor asked for) mixed with an underlying storyline about the carnage. It’s like ordering a meal from a restaurant and then asking your waiter what the ingredients were. At that point, just stay home and cook your own meal. Probably more exciting than this movie too.
Saw V Movie Review Final Thoughts
If you haven’t watched a Saw movie yet, it almost makes sense to watch the 5th one first. Mostly so you can just get it out of the way and still understand what’s going to take place in the first 4. Alternatively, you can just skip this one altogether and you’re really just missing out on a vengeful police chase and betrayal. If I wanted drama, I’d watch ____ (insert pop culture reference here). Am I right? Let me know!
