Saw II

Saw II – 2005

*** Out of ****

Oh yes, there will be blood. Returning in fine form is the sadistic Jigsaw killer, who continues to show people the true meaning of life with dire consequences if his victims are not up to the task of redemption. Continuing what would become one of the greatest horror sagas, Saw II was the first step towards the spanning and complex storyline. Taking over the reigns from James Wan is Darren Lynn Bousman who would go on to helm Saw III and IV, and he accomplishes what his predecessor did not. He brings passion and anguish to his characters something that the relatively flat characters in Saw were lacking.

The set-up which entails 8 people locked together in a house, are slowly inhaling a nerve agent that will eventually kill them. Jigsaw’s victims must complete a series of tasks in order retrieve the vials of antidote, and among them is the son of the new lead detective on the case, Det. Eric Matthews, played by Donnie Wahlberg. Also accompanying the group is Amanda, (Shawnee Smith) Jigsaw’s victim from the first film, who apparently did not yet learn the value of life. On the trail of Jigsaw (returning is the incredible Tobin Bell) Matthews discovers him weakened by cancer and helpless. But, Detective Matthews is also being tested, and must wait out the clock with Jigsaw, or watch his son die.

Saw II has the same grain and feel as the original, as well as the copious amounts of gore that unrelentingly follow. One of the improvements, other than a bump in the calibre of the script and acting is that the complexities of the contraptions have taken a back seat to quantity. In this case, it is a good thing, as in the original, the entire movie followed one trap; where as Saw II contains several and therefore are simpler and quicker, and therefore more believable.

With its set-up we get more of a character building film, as we know what happened in the first, so aside from a few flashbacks, building upon itself is the quality that makes it stand alone from other sequels. Saw II follows the same general formula, as do its sequels, but in this case there is nothing wrong with that. If this had occurred in a series of standalone films it would have become tedious, but with the continuity that occurs, it does not show itself as prominently. Aside from Detective Matthew’s son and Amanda the torturees are clear-cut criminals. Therefore their demise is not only more warranted then the victims in the original, you don’t feel as sympathetic for them; this by no means decreases the tension, but adds a whiff of humanity to it.

The final twist albeit not as mystifying as the original, is more than adequate and will leave you pondering long after is it through. I give kudos to the filmmakers for not only rectifying the follies of the previous film, but also for compounding our wonder for the returning characters fate and making the film a cliff-hanger, but not in an unsatisfying way. Saw II is surrounded with an aura of paranoia and menace, and is roller roaster of fright inducing emotions and you might even say, it’s similar a “see-saw, too.” Hint. Hint.