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The fifth installment of 'Saw' recycles twisted plot and same tricks
By Rebekah Jones
Posted: 10/30/08, 3:51 AM EST Section: Splice
"Saw V" is an incredibly difficult to follow pseudo-snuff film.
Not because the plot twists are mind-blowing or the writing was meant to trick you, but because the film had four sub-plots and jumped from different people and time periods throughout the entire "Saw" series.
One story followed Agent Strahm as he tried to expose Detective Hoffman as the new jigsaw murderer. Another showed how Detective Hoffman became the jigsaw killer. Another followed Hoffman as he tried to kill Strahm. And, the only interesting plot in the movie followed five strangers trapped in a room where, of course, they all had to pass tests to survive.
The problem with the rotating plots was that Detectives Strahm and Hoffman looked exactly alike.
Throughout the film, all you could really do is ask, "What? Is that from "Saw" IV? III? II? Wait, who's that guy? Where are the people in the room? Is this now or 10 years ago? Why the hell is there a pig there?"
The story of the strangers trapped in the room saved the film from becoming a total flop. It met the needs of the torture-lovers who helped the film sell out opening night.
Of course it was offensive, morbid and disgusting - one of those classic "Saw" films where you just can't look away, even if you know you should.
All in all, it was the same-old "Saw" movie, just a lot more complicated. In this genre, movie makers should keep the complications to a minimum. With five more contracted "Saw" movies in the works, the plots are sure to become even more ridiculous. Still, they'll probably manage to sell out opening night.
Nevertheless, bad horror movies plague theatres, and now with VH1's "Scream Queens" (a competition for bad actresses to get a role in "Saw VI"), they have invaded our televisions, as well.
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