Saw III proves difficult to solve

By Frank D’Adamo
Collegian Staff
November 1, 2006

“Do you want to play a game?” The words spoken by the killer, Jigsaw, in the third installment of the popular Saw series, are still chilling. Saw III has a good delivery of suspense, thrills and different twists that will actually have the audience wondering. Although horror movies are filled with nothing but blood and gore, viewers may still manage to find the movie to be enjoyable overall, with the exception of some flaws.

The movie stars Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith, and is directed by Darren Lynn Bousman. This third, and what is purported to be final, episode of the Saw collection continues the workings of Jigsaw and his accomplice, Amanda, and how they capture people who feel that their lives are no longer worth living.

The killers put two people to the test. The first likely victim, Lynn, played by Bahar Soomekh, is a brain surgeon who is struggling through an unhappy marriage, not knowing what to do with her life. She is then brought to a dying Jigsaw and her fate is that if Jigsaw lives, she will live also. However, if Jigsaw dies, then she will die. The other potential casualty, Jeff, played by Angus Macfadyen, is mourning the death of his son, and Jigsaw puts him through a test of forgiveness. If he passes the test, then Jeff and Lynn will both be free to go.

Saw III is filled with unlikely events which kept the twist of the movie going. However, two problems with the movie manifest. The first one is an overabundance of flashback sequences. Two or three is enough, but the writers went a little overboard with that aspect.

The second problem, which is a major one, is that it is less scary and more on the suspense side. Naturally, there were parts of Saw III that made me jump, but not enough to make me sit in fear. A good horror film is full of surprise rather than suspense.

Saw III definitely delivered suspense, but as far as surprise, the only part of the movie that was unexpected were the closing scenes. Unfortunately, it puts viewers under the impression that there will be a fourth movie. To the creator of Saw, I say, “Please stop.”

One can only be original for so long. I plead to the creators, James Wan and Leigh Whannell, that they don’t ruin a potential classic, and quit while they’re ahead. Psycho (1960) didn’t work with sequels after the original, which is one of the greatest horror films of all time.

There are so many great horror movies, but they get easily overlooked because of the fact that the sequels are dreadful. Saw III is not superb, but it is good enough to keep someone entertained and squeamish for the most part. If you are a fan of the previous two movies, I definitely recommend Saw III.

dadamof1@lasalle.edu