Saw IV (2008, DVD)

When SWAT Commander Rigg is abducted and thrust into a game the last officer untouched by Jigsaw has but ninety minutes to overcome a series of demented traps and save an old friend or face the deadly consequences.

Even death itself can't bring the savage games of Jigsaw to an end, as Saw IV proves; if anything, the fiendishly clever serial killer (once again played by Tobin Bell) is equally capable of dealing out violent death while lying on a morgue slab as he was in life. Saw IV also offers a class reunion of characters from the previous three films, each once again up to their necks in Jigsaw's schemes. Chief among them is Sgt. Rigg (Lyriq Bent) from Saw II, who must place himself in Jigsaw's shoes in order to rescue Detective Matthews (Donnie Walhberg), who was abducted by the killer at the end of Saw II, and Forensic Hoffman (Costas Mandylor from Saw III), from another elaborate murder device. Meanwhile, FBI agents led by Scott Patterson (Gilmore Girls, Aliens in America) attempt to track Rigg as he carries out Jigsaw's horrific notion of justice from beyond the grave. Casual horror fans may find the endless puzzles and relentless nihilism of the Saw series wearing thin with this fourth entry, but the franchise's key selling points--the Sadean excesses of Jigsaw's macabre creations--remain as bloody and unsettling as ever.

Great Movie Love all the....Saw series.... A must to own....
{Mrs puman}

The absolute best of the franchise so far

After Jigsaw died, I had a feeling the franchise would be over. Then I heard studios green-lighted Saw IV BEFORE Saw III was even made, and I thought oh god, not another one. I had my doubts, but listening to the commentary on Saw III assured me they had a plan.

And what a plan it was.

So far, it seems all the Saw movies have had one prevailing theme to them. Saw II: Patience. Saw III: Forgiveness. Saw IV: Self Preservation. The most vital theme involves people in traps saving them self.

Thus is where Lieutenant Rigg is tested, the black cop who has been in all the Saw movies, and seen all his partners die. The film makes it clear right away that Rigg's problem is he cares too much---he wants to save everyone, and everyone (from Jigsaw to his wife) is telling him he can't save everyone.

Alongside this, two other story lines go on, including a Lawyer who survived Jigsaw's first test, being put in a second, and flashbacks showing John Kramer's (Jigsaw) life before the events of the series, with his wife Jill, and his job as an engineer. We see what causes him to change, and leave his wife, and eventually (as well as getting cancer) sets about his games, where he personally witnesses his first victim succeed, only to blow it and try to attack Jigaw---to then get himself killed by his own stupid actions.

Despite all that's happened, Saw IV has plenty of twists and surprises, including the ultimate shocking turn involving Rigg's game, which I won't reveal here even though I checked the spoiler alert. It's simply too juicy.

The events of the film (sans flashbacks) happen simultaneously to the events in Saw III, with the final autopsy shown in the beginning of the movie to set the tone, and to assure people Jigsaw truly IS dead.

The gore? Plentiful. It manages to improve upon its predecessors (as the movies always have) without getting overly excessive. The gore isn't there just to gross out or entertain the audience, and is rather tastefully handled, giving it an edge for realism as well as art. The traps are nothing garishly out there, but definitely some of the most creative in the entire franchise.

As with Saw III, potentially the goriest, most shock-inducing scene involves Jigsaw himself. Where in Saw III, it was the live, amateur brain surgery, Saw IV steps it up with a live autopsy complete with the nauseating buzz of saws, cracks of bone, and squishing of still-wet flesh and organs, which resemble a true autopsy.

For the sake of quashing dreams of fan service, I will safely spoil by saying Dr Gordon is NOT tied to Jigsaw in any further way (though that would remain to be seen for the next two Saws) and both Jigsaw and Amanda are dead.

With the series running the risk of being milked by greedy executives into oblivion, the writers/director of the series show that they are masters of the craft of not only modern shock horror but noirish storytelling as well.

More blood, Cries, & Tortures than First 3 Franchises!

Just got back from a grueling bloodbath by name Saw IV. Of course, all of us know what to expect from the Saw series. Typically Saw series does not have a light moment. But at Regal Cinemas, Knoxville we had a comical couple of minutes when Rambo trailer showed right before the movie. Everyone in the theater had a chuckle or two when we heard "Do you know what he is capable of ?" in the Rambo teaser. Ok, back to the movie review ...

The fourth one in the series begins where the third one ended. Jigsaw and his accomplice are dead. Jigsaw's body is post-mortemed and the first few minutes go into intricate details. Many might find it unpalatable. The doctors find a tape in Jigsaw's stomach. Detective Hoffman gets to hear the contents of the tape. Couple of men find themselves chained through a mechanism. One of them has his eyes sewn shut and the other his mouth. The one with his eyes sewn has a key on his neck and the other guy succeeds in getting the key to unchain himself. Several scenes play concurrently and it floats through time line and flashbacks. A certain detective Rigg who is very obsessive about doing the right thing gets drawn into Jigsaw's game. He has to save the detective Donnie from the 2nd part who has an injured leg.

This detective Donnie is suspended on a block on ice which slowly melts and Rigg has 90 minutes to rescue him. Another scene is Jigsaw's ex wife being interrogated. The third scene is the flashbacks involving Jigsaw and the birth of all "games". What follows is a tricky and mind-blowing game of life, saving some, and letting go of some. The climax as usual will take you by surprise.

This movie has more blood, cries, and tortures than first three franchises of Saw put together. This movie is brilliant in its narration and twists. The movie shuffles between the present and past so frequently, that at times you might get confused. The director has limited lighting on the movie and at times it's very tough to figure out who is on the screen. But after watching the movie, you will know why. If you liked the previous franchises of Saw, I definitely recommend Saw IV (4). DO NOT watch Saw IV if you've not seen earlier ones. This movie brings a lot of characters and stories from Saw II, and Saw III.Recommend ONLY for non-weak hearted !!

A MUST BUY IF YOU HAVE THE OTHER 3!

OVERALL
8/10

GREAT, Better then III

Surprisingly better than Saw III, the fourth installment in the franchise delivers the suspense in a very tricky manner. While I can't divulge just why the movie ups the ante, just suffice to say that, with Jigsaw dead, this movie takes place begining in the moments before the awful scene at the end of number 3 (and other info deleted to appease other Amazon crybabies).

You are also given a deeper back-story for Jigsaw, (Tobin Bell, again deliciously malevolent) and the lady that appeared in his flashbacks. Other characthers reappear as pawns in a dangerous game, as the dearly departed seems to have left posthumous recruitment tapes for SWAT Commander Rigg. Along with the typical ominous warnings, Rigg is led through the well-known series of SAW traps as Jigsaw tests his mettle. At the end of this test are two other fellow officers, including a returning Donnie Wahlberg, restrained to another nefarious device. As you can guess, not everything goes according to plan. The final twist is a doozy, and for a change, hard to see coming.

The script, which plays out more like a mystery/whodunit than a horror show, is what really bumps this movie up. Again, while not giving away the twist, I can say it was a major mind-bender. It may even take a few folks a bit of time to realize what just happened. To me, that made it great. For a change, I am looking forward to where they take this next Halloween.

Borderline Good rating

I foresee this franchise never ending like the Friday the 13th series. Since the main killer died in Saw III, how could they possibly milk another one.....he had another accomplice. Now since the local cops can't crack the case, surely the FBI can.......nope. Oh well, if you put aside the ridiculous back story, you can get through the fast paced death-fest pretty painlessly. Some new contraptions, some not. In the end I didn't complain that I lost 2 hours of my life. Special features were a little light, but the sound quality was good. If you're a fan of the Saw series, you won't be too disappointed. I'm sure the way open ending will allow many more sequels.