Review: Saw VI

Saw VI (2009)
Genre: Horror
Format: Theatrical Release
Director: Kevin Greutert

Don't you wish that horror classics like Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Friday the 13th were able to retain their impacts and potentials after the first couple of sequels? I surely do after watching Saw VI. This is the best Saw movie to date and it is so good, it easily eclipses all of the previous entries in terms of sheer entertainment.

Of course, this movie cannot exist without the rich back story and constant tweaks that the series has gone through over the last 5 years. Saw VI is a direct continuation of part V and if you have not seen any of the previous movies, your brain might actually melt away, drooling out slowly from your nostrils and ears, if you even attempt to follow the storyline even slightly. Newcomers will still be able to enjoy all the sadism but as fans of the series know, there is more to the Saw films than merely being on top of the torture porn ladder: there's actually some really clever plot progression in each entry and every movie presents to the audience new revelations to ponder as well as mysterious plot threats to look forward to in the future addition(s) to the series. It is due to this reason that I cannot go into the movie's plot without revealing unnecessary spoilers.

The Saw movies have always been about people being put into terrible situations where they must do some unspeakable acts of bodily horror to be able to survive in the end. Everything is pretty much the same here. The serial killer Jigsaw likes to play games to punish those who are oblivious to the pain and suffering in life while taking life itself for granted. In this entry, most of the chosen victims are very appropriate for what Jigsaw wants to accomplish - corrupt health insurance employees. Even though you think that you may not have much sympathy for these evil folks, the horrible fates that await them will change that. The traps used to dispose of them are some of the best in the series not necessary because they are the most creative but it's because of the unapologetic and vicious ways in which they manifest themselves. The gore is also more prominent here, upping the ante from last entry's bloodbath - the very violent opening sequence had the whole theatre moaning uncomfortably in their seats, myself included. And that last trap - Jigsaw doesn't want to just kill you, he really wants to f&%# you up, pardon my French.

Saw VI is made for the fans but I find it hard to believe that any self-respecting horror fan would deny the allure of this franchise. Sequels are not meant to be this good but for some weird reason, even though the Saw movies have been in the hands of different writers and directors, they just keep getting better and better. It's a historic feat, an incredible achievement - apparently, those who have been responsible for these films have a deep love and understanding for Jigsaw and his devious traps. Yes, there will be a Saw VII based on how this one ends and if the fever-pitched climax is any indication, the next one is going to be very, very interesting indeed.

RATING: 5 out of 5


Not all Saw films are equal to each other.
Here's how I rank them from top to bottom:

Saw VI
Saw V
Saw
Saw IV
Saw III
Saw II