ASHLEY WELLING
Staff Writer
Opening with its usual stomach-churning visuals and ear-covering sounds, “Saw IV” maintains the tone of its three predecessors. The anticipated psychological thriller brings out its characters’ humanity with, of course, a dark twist to scare the audience.
Focusing on the individual and his hidden complexity seems to be the recurring theme in all “Saw” films. “Saw IV,” however, brings new challenges to the table and provides the audience with twists and turns that will keep them intrigued throughout.
The infamous Jigsaw (Saw) serial killer, also known as John Kramer, has struck yet again in this film, creating a new and slightly-deranged sequence of events. Kramer is played by Tobin Bell (“Buried Alive”).
This installment focuses on SWAT team member Agent Rigg, played by Lyriq Bent (“Four Brothers”), who has made appearances in the two previous “Saw” films as the headstrong policeman out to save the day. His complexity deepens when Jigsaw begins his usual quest of changing the course of a person’s life by putting his mind, and stomach, to the test.
Bent portrays his previously shallow character with intensity, but emotion is not always there. While the audience gets to see his built-up anger and distress, it usually manifests itself in the form of violence instead of words. Perhaps these are the differences between his victims and himself that Saw wants to highlight. But, if this is the case, it was not always clear.
While Rigg battles his own demons, new light is brought to the mastermind behind the over-the-top devices used to teach lessons to unfortunate people. The movie goes even deeper into the life of Jigsaw and exposes previously unknown factors that influenced his dark thoughts. The film goes as far to reveal who Jigsaw’s first victim was and why he was so meticulously chosen.
Several characters from the previous films make reappearances in this latest thriller and simultaneously “bump” into each other at the very end of the film, making for some very interesting twists. With the new insight, combined with the old and familiar, the audience gets to connect with the characters while jumping and squirming in their seats.
Bell does and excellent job, once again, of playing the rational human being turned serial killer in this latest production. His dark and profound voice gives him a presence on screen that he does not even have to be physically present.
By simply seeing the infamous red-eyed clown and hearing his menacing words, the audience can almost predict the pain that is in store for the unfortunate character.
Forcing Rigg throughout the film to break away from his previously understood mission in life, Saw simultaneously forces the audience to follow in his footsteps.
Connecting with the audience on an emotional level is one element that separates these movies from the rest of the “Saw” films.
Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, director of the past two “Saw” films, this movie was sure to follow in its predecessor’s footsteps, but to what extent was uncertain. The new writers for this film made a difference in the quality of the story while keeping with the usual theme.
While “Saw III” fell flat with its intense focus on gore instead of depth, this film seems to go in a different direction. Still with its fair share of bone-breaking and hair-raising scenes, the minds behind the movie focused more on the psychology behind the characters’ decisions.
Overall, “Saw IV” goes into greater depth than any of the previous “Saw” films and forces the audience to consider their own lives in relation to those of the characters.
Although deep and insightful, it still is gruesome and torture-ridden movie. It will make you think twice about trusting strangers and, perhaps even scarier, your close friends.
11-01-2007
