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[Saw 3D]
Plot:As a deadly battle rages over Jigsaw's brutal legacy, a group of Jigsaw survivors gathers to seek the support of self-help guru and fellow survivor Bobby Dagen, a man whose own dark secrets unleash a new wave of terror.
Cast:Tobin Bell,
Tanedra Howard,
Betsy Russell,
Costas Mandylor,
Alexandra Bokyun Chun,
Franky G.,
Jon Cor,
Dru Viergever,
Chad Donella,
Cary Elwes,
Sean Patrick Flanery,
Gina Holden,
Laurence Anthony,
Naomi Snieckus,
Dean Armstrong.
My Thoughts:A fitting end to the franchise.
Review:"Saw 3D" they say will be the final "Saw" movie. As any good horror fan knows, that's usually never the case, Freddy and Jason for example, who after their final "Nightmares" and "Fridays"...have gone on to more and more sequels. But "Saw 3D" really seems as if it's "the" final "Saw". It puts quite a period at the end of the sentence, or an exclamation point if you will. The film follows how ''Saw 6" ended, with Hoffman having narrowly escaped Jill's "Venus flytrap" trap...thus sending him on a path to vengeance. But first, other business needs tending to. Business which is connected to a Jigsaw survivor named Bobby Dagen.
A man who claims to have escaped one of Jigsaw's traps, and has lived to tell about his harrowing tale. He's even made himself into a brand of sorts, and is doing the usual book signings and press. But "Saw 3D" sets up a thrilling conclusion for itself upon the films very first scene, which returns an old friend from the distant past who manages to play a pivotal role in how things conclude. Dagen soon finds himself in his own game, courtesy of the now-in-control Hoffman. Meanwhile, Jill has escaped Hoffman's vengeance for the time being, and is now in police custody to stay safe.
She gives up everything to the cops about Hoffman, and the officer in charge of the investigation himself, has old ties to Hoffman. Ties that run more nemesis, than friend. Thus, the new cop in charge is now the one having to visit the gruesome crime scenes, and scoop up clues at to Hoffman's next move. The film doesn't stray too far from the "Saw" roots though. With all of this going on, it still finds time to offer up the usual 4 or five traps for people who have less than stellar character. Dagen's trap though is not really a trap, but more of a series of traps.
"Saw 3D" draws comparisons with "Saw III", as like Jeff had to go through a series of traps, to try and rescue those responsible for his son's death...Dagen has to go through a series of traps to try and rescue all of the people who you could call his celebrity handlers. But Dagen's success also ties into whether his wife will live or die, as she is the final and ultimate trap should Bobby manage to succeed. So the films throws all of this Bobby stuff around here and there, while still keeping the Hoffman versus Jill versus the cops rivalry going.
Hoffman is probably more driven and determined in this installment than we've ever seen him. And that can be attributed to the fact that he was almost killed, and has the scar to prove it. Hoffman however doesn't necessarily go straight for Jill, but instead plays cat and mouse games with the cops, that will ultimately make it easier for him, when he finally does decide to come for Jill. "Saw 3D" is probably the most entertaining installment behind parts 1 and 2 I would say. It keeps a lot of things in play, and manages to insert new characters quite smoothly.
The traps this time around are most definitely insidious and wicked, but lack a little bit of the oomph that previous traps have had. I can't say I really had a favorite trap this time around. Maybe one, involving a rigged car would be the best one offered up in the movie, but beyond that, a lot of the traps weren't very impactful. And as for the rail trap, which Jill Tuck finds herself in, there's a funny backstory to that scene which I won't spoil here. But while the traps weren't a total failure, I would say this round of traps were probably the most lackluster since part 4's group of traps. But the film doesn't suffer because of it.
The blood, gore, and gruesomeness is still there in spades, there are some last-movie character connections made via flashbacks, and with Hoffman and Jill still boiling up to their final showdown...that moment alone keeps the movie intriguing and interesting throughout. Sean Patrick Flanery as Bobby Dagen does a pretty decent job, but the characters is somewhat confusing. The script tries to make him out to be self-serving and slimy, but the character doesn't come across that way on screen. Even during a few of the movies lighter scenes, such as the Jigsaw survivor group meeting where we get our first look at a post-bathroom Dr. Gordon not covered in blood and grime.
As for the films finale, it's certainly a strong one, but seems somewhat rushed and predictable at times. Particularly in those moments at the police station, but the movies final minute brings the shock and awe in bunches. And provides a perfect, and fitting end to the series overall, which as of today, has now seven installments in the books. "Saw 3D" does leave itself open for another sequel somewhat, but...will there be one? Probably not, and that's perfectly fine, as the film also ends on a note where a sequel isn't needed.
The ending works as a double-edged sword, so whether there's an eighth film or not, I can't see anyone complaining too much. Some people might not like "Saw 3D" as much considering the traps aren't their best, and some of the occurances and deaths are somewhat contrived, and made to look too easy. But the character drama is very strong in this one, and thus...it is what takes center stage in this particular "Saw" sequel, edging out the traps of the movie, to be the films biggest focal point.
Positives:Terrific character drama, the rigged-car trap was gruesome, some nice twists that you don't see coming, and a very grand finale.
Negatives:Some of the kills seem contrived and too easy, particularly for Hoffman. Also a main character dies near the end which is a death I kind of hated to see. Some of the traps could've been better imagined as well.
Overall:Three out of four stars.
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