Movie Review


Julia Roberts factor:						0/5
Macho factor:						3/5
Babysitter factor:						2/5
Get Lucky factor:						0/5
In-law factor:						0/5
Of Mice and Men factor						0/5
Wrap-up factor						1/5
Se7en factor						5/5
Reel rating:						3/5
What the categories mean

Reel commentary: ... In the end, if not for the climax's downright awful "twist"; Saw 4 might have been the best addition to the series since the original... the poor excuse for an ending really did hurt my enjoyment quite a bit ... full review

Movie Review

By Robert Miller

Yeah, I know what you're thinking, "Hey, isn't Jigsaw dead? Didn't they wrap things up with Saw 3? Why are they making another one?" Well, I was wondering the same thing... And sadly, I'm still wondering.

Much like Saw 3, and well, every other Saw movie; the story for big ol' 4 follows multiple paths in order to better tell the story of Jigsaw. Like the films before it, Saw 4 maintains consistency with its characters, all the while adding new ones into the bloody mixture. Borrowing from its last venture into suffering, the story of Saw 4 involves the Swat leader from Saw 2 (Rigg) being thrown into a twisted game of trials. Here, he must act as a type of judge to decide whether or not to help people, or let them help themselves (and possibly die in the process). On the same crimson trail of agony is a group of detectives trying to link the murders to Jigsaw's ex-wife. In between all of these confused protagonists are victims. Some new, some old, but victims nonetheless.

Honestly, the movie is quite intriguing. The story is well paced and actually doesn't constantly rely on the gruesome violence to tell the story. Serisously; after Saw 3, the pacing of this sequel is a breath of fresh air. Even the transitions are perfectly handled and take the viewer by surprise without taking them out of the movie (much like Saw 2). One scene in particular has Rigg throwing a character into a mirror. When the character falls through the glass, it gives way to a police officer walking by; all of the sudden we're now in a police station. Moments like this break up the monotony, and make it appear as though the screenwriters weren't just dwelling on another cash-in, but were actually trying to apply creativity to the stale formula.

A scene from SAW IV

All images copyright © 2007 Lionsgate

The biggest fault I have with the movie has to be the ending. While the Saw series is known for its climactic twists; Saw 4's is... Well... Horrible. Really, just horrible. Actually, even calling it a "twist" is giving it far too much credit. In Saw 1-3 (yes, even the rather poor third installment), the final "gotcha" moments were always significant and consistent with the movie itself as well as the series supporting it. Saw 4's ending on the other hand, is not. I can't say how disappointed I was when I heard the "zepp overture" begin playing. It's an awesomely amazing song; but as soon as you hear it starting, you know the film is just about over. As Charlie Clouser's theme continued to play out its audible goodness, I just couldn't help but think, "Wait, what? That's it? That's the 'big' twist? What the-- that's not even surprising AT ALL?" In all honesty, up until the last 5 minutes of the film I was thoroughly enjoying the movie.

Oh, and I guess I should mention the violence for everyone pining to see it just for that reason. For many, after Saw 3, or Hostel: Part 2, I don't think that a lot of the violent content will surprise. Yes, it is horribly cruel and gruesome at points; but it just doesn't feel near as gratuitous as other horor films released this year. And for that, I'm grateful. To truly grasp the reality of a situation, I don't think you have to see every graphic detail. Like the first Hostel (definitely not the second), I think knowing what's going on and having your mind do the rest is far more emotionally powerful than outright seeing it. But for all of you gore hounds out there, you'll be happy to see another surgery-esque scene, as well as some pretty gruesome traps (a bed that tears you apart, a scalping machine, etc.)... Yet I have to say; a lot of these traps are fairly simple and lack a bit of "oomph" that we've come to expect from the brutal series.

In the end, if not for the climax's downright awful "twist"; Saw 4 might have been the best addition to the series since the original. That and I would have scored it higher... For me, the poor excuse for an ending really did hurt my enjoyment quite a bit... Oh well... Guess we'll just have to wait and see what kind of tricks Saw 5 will pull. And I'm completely serious.

Robert Miller

Comments

Frank Says:
October 29, 2007 at 11:54

More Saw IV quotes:

"I can assure you detective, my games have just begun."

"I promise that my work will continue."

"It's the tool that's going to save your life. I want to play a game. You just lean foward into the knives with your face. Press hard enough and you'll release the arm and the leg restraints that bind you. Press hard though. Live or die, Cecil. Make your choice."

Motomom Says:
November 2, 2007 at 13:54

I DO NOT understand the ending?? can someone help me? I get that the beginning is the end, but why is his body still on the bed when he slams the door on Det. Strahm?? ahhhhh I'm confused.

Gleason Says:
November 2, 2007 at 15:03

SPOILER ALERT

Hopefully this will help with the confusing ending:

Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) is placed in a room with Eric Matthews (Donnie Wahlberg) and Jigsaw middleman Art (Justin Louis), who all have intricate death instruments attached to them. When Officer Rigg (Lyriq Bent) makes it into the room before time expires, he triggers the trap that kills Matthews by crushing his skull, but not before Matthews fires a single shot into Rigg's chest. Art plays a tape, which has Jigsaw's (Tobin Bell's) voice explaining that the purpose of this movie's game was to test his obsession. As his obsession led to the deaths of all those he tried to save, he failed, and he shoots Art in the head before Art can release himself. Hoffman unties himself and gets up, revealing that he is the new Jigsaw, as was revealed by discussion earlier in the film.

Now this is the confusing part:

Even though there is an FBI investigation going on at the same time as these events, it is important to understand that the events of SAW IV take place at the same time as the events of SAW III.

That's why when FBI agent Strahm (Scott Paterson) breaks into the room with Jeff in it (from III) and kills him, Jigsaw's dead body is there. The tape played at the beginning of the movie is removed AFTER everything has happened, so that Hoffman can continue Jigsaw's work with little police interference. It turns out Hoffman was in on Jigsaw's plan from part III as well. Amanda (Shawnee Smith) knew Hoffman was apprenticing with Jigsaw as well, so everything was in place long ago.

As for how exactly Jigsaw got a hold of Hoffman and inspired him to follow in his footsteps...well, we'll find out in SAW V, won't we?

Marisa Says:
November 3, 2007 at 03:01

SPOILER ALERT

Okay If all taht is true, then whenever Jigsaw's body was found since the FBI agent was in the same room, why wasnt he found too......................if they found the body wouldnt they have found the fbi agent? that's what had me confused about the whole body scene.

Twatingham Says:
November 8, 2007 at 11:49

SPOILER ALERT

For Marisa,Yeah, your questions are right ones to have. But thats what is still to be seen. How Jigsaw got Hoffman, What happened to Agent Strahm , What happened to Jeff's daughter,and what was in the envelope addressed to Amanda in Saw 3. People say it was just a letter saying, " Amanda you're out and Hoffman is in." Thats a bunch of bull. If you look at that part in Saw 3 its a huge envelope,almost a packet. Way too much info for just a quick you're out Amanda, Hoffman's in. And at that point in Saw 3 Jigsaw didnt know Amanda was going to fail her test.He told her to get that envelope before she got all pyscho and killed Lynn.Unless that was what was in the letter to begin with. Trust me that angle is not done with yet. The whole Saw series always plays around with time of events. I loved that 4 happened concurrently with 3. Like with all the Saw films you just wait for the next one to find out more about the previous one.

Danny Says:
November 11, 2007 at 03:02

SPOILER ALERT

gleason, good explanation!! u cleared up a lot for me. i didnt realize they were both going on at the same time until i read what you wrote. i did realize however that all the crime scenes looked fresh, yet i didnt put the two together. duh. anybody ever wonder what happened to dr. gordon??? they flash his name every movie... i think he's still alive... we never see him actually die, we assume he did. just like we assumed that detective mathews died. any ideas anyone??

John Says:
November 17, 2007 at 18:34

SPOILER ALERT

is there a reason why the "Saw" movies randomly kill off there most important characters for no reason like Det. Kerry getting killed in her trap, Det. Matthews getting his head crushed, and Jeff shot by Strahm?

Bum Says:
December 28, 2007 at 18:34

it is true that the movies are happening at the same time but its never clear what time everything is happening

chris Says:
January 28, 2008 at 15:53

Yeah, I have the dame question as Danny- what ever happened to Dr. Gordon? I watched very closely when wahlberg got to the warehouse at the end of Saw 2 and saw no sign of Gordon. Hoffman what an idiotic choice to continue jigsaws work. Who is this guy? He just pops up in this film and we're to assume he's been in on it since at least 3? It would have been so much cooler if Dr. Gordon walked in at the end of 4 and we find out he was behind everything. Those guys are smart enough to come up with a plausible montage for how he got there. Saw 4 had great traps- the ending sucked

ummm Says:
Feb 10, 2008 at 18:54

i don't get how the movie opens with the autopsy of Jiggy...yet he's on the table at the end of the movie.

or is the beginning really the end?

Ron Says:
Jun 1, 2008 at 16:29

This is great discussion....i would love to see someone do some kind of visual SAW timeline. Chris...Hoffman was in part 3, watch closely. Also, as far as Dr Gordon goes, now I could be way off track here, but I think the whole Dr Gordon thing happens sometime after saw 2 but before saw 3. Its just a guess...Man - I do miss danny clovers character tho lol.

DVD Information

Screen formats: Widescreen Anamorphic 1.78:1

Subtitles: English; Spanish

Language and Sound: Closed Captioned; English: Dolby Digital 5.1

Other Features: Color; interactive menus; scene access; director's commentary; deleted scenes; video diary; music video.

Commentary

Feature-length audio commentary by director Darren Lynn Bousman and actor Lyriq Bent

Feature-length audio commentary with producers Dren Koules and Mark Burg and executive producers Peter Block and Jason Constantine.

Featurettes

Darren's Video Diary

"The traps of Saw IV"

"The props of Saw IV"

Bones Deleted Scene

Music Video - Saw IV music video by "X-Japan"

Number of discs: - 1 - Keepcase Packaging

Component Grades

Movie

DVD

DVD Experience

Search Now:

Buy the DVD

Buy the
Soundtrack

Saw IV (2007)