This post is not only for Movie Monday, it is also part of Halloween Month AND my submission for The Tenth Daughter of Memory, the topic this go-round being "Trapped".
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What better horror flick to choose for a topic such as 'trapped' other than "Saw"!
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While it is easy for some to dismiss ALL the "Saw" films as torture porn flicks, that leaves the greatness of this film lost in the mess. And it really isn't fair to lump this movie into all that came after it.
When "Saw" hit theaters in 2004, moviegoers were blown away by the intense, edge-of-your-seat thriller.
The plot, in a nutshell, revolves around two men who are kidnapped and locked in an industrial bathroom with a dead body between them and given instructions related to escaping. Meanwhile, police detectives investigate and attempt to apprehend the criminal responsible, the "Jigsaw Killer".
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The premise of a killer who doesn't directly kill his victims is intriguing. The Jigsaw Killer is hopeful, in his own warped way, that the people he sets into these traps will somehow "see the light", extricate themselves and go back into life with a renewed appreciation for all they have. Granted, this isn't how it works out 99% of the time, but it is essentially his plan.
Also, the movie has a twist, and I was one of the viewers who truly didn't see it coming and was shocked by it. Watching it for the second time is therefore a different experience.
It is basically a ton of fun for horror/thriller fans. The writing and directing by James Wan and Leigh Whannell is great, as is the acting, especially from Cary Elwes. This is one of those times where an actor was cast against type and it worked.
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However, the sequels have gotten off-track. Some of them are down-right confusing, plot-wise. Too many flash-backs and ill-conceived twists have muddled the waters. A clean slate and a return to what the first film was all about is in order, I think.
Also, the "torture porn" stigma that is associated with these movies is more suitable a description for the sequels than it is for the original. It is sometimes argued that this film is the "torture porn" starting point, but I think films like "Hostel" or "The Devil's Rejects" are more in line for claiming that title.
When all is said and done, "Saw" remains an imaginative, thrilling, uneasy horror flick. Granted, this is not every movie fan's idea of a good movie, but variety is the spice of life, right?
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"Saw" was originally filmed as a nine-and-a-half-minute Australian short horror film in 2003. It was also directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell, who starred in it. This short became known as "Saw 0.5".
Here is the that short, in its entirety.
WARNING: NOT suitable for all. This is an intense, somewhat violent film.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!
This short was turned into a scene in the theatrical release, with Amanda Young wearing the Reverse Bear Trap device instead of David.
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The trailer for "Saw"
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Trailer for the latest film, "Saw VI", due in theaters October 23, 2009
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Saw VI Official Site
Site for the Official Saw Fan Club
A site that deals with the Traps from the Saw Movies
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The Tenth Daughter of Memory - "TRAPPED"
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I totally agree with you that the ORIGINAL 'Saw' get unfairly lumbed into the torture films that followed it. As a straight up thriller it rivals 'Silence of the Lambs' for shear gut wrenching terror. I passed on it for a long time then watched it one night ALONE and still remember how much it freaked me out. The big twist at the end (when 'you know who' gets up) made me jump up off the couch and I screamed "NO FRICKEN WAY DID YOU JUST DO THAT!" One of the most unexpected twists ever. That is a rewarding film. Too bad the other ones missed the point of what made the original so innovative. But its the same with 'Halloween' and 'Friday the 13th' too.
ReplyDeleteI saw and loved the first one. It was truly something different in the horror/suspense film world. I liked the second one as well. I tried watching the third one but it left me cold. I haven't tried any of the since.
ReplyDeleteWell that was a jolly way to start Monday morning. I managed 3 mins of the original before I had to press the stop button. That's pretty good going for me.
ReplyDelete"Granted, this is not every movie fan's idea of a good movie…"
ReplyDeleteThanks for leaving room for me. I prefer hitting myself in the head with a hammer. I guess it's like doctors and lawyers — somebody's gotta do it.
OMG that movie!It marked me!
ReplyDeletefunny. when you said you were "attempting a three way" i thought this blog was going in a totally different direction. anyhoo i never saw any of the Saw movies. not a one.
ReplyDeletewhat i'm going to do is watch them all back to back to back and totally desensitize myself. that said i am looking forward to seeing these i just never made the time.
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ReplyDeleteok, i am scarred now. lol. i have never seen any of the SAW flicks...the short was enough for me.
ReplyDeleteI love the one where the kid is in a "safe place"!
ReplyDeleteI think that Willows profile picture in the tiny version, reminds me of jigsaw!
I too like the original Saw. I thought it was a fresh concept and like you, I didn't see the twist coming. Once that realization hit, I was blown away. It was a truly unique concept for a horror film. I'll differ slightly from you in that I felt Elwes was too over-the-top at the end of the movie. Other than that, the acting was solid.
ReplyDeleteLike you said, after the first two the concept got played out. It's no longer shocking when you're expecting the twist. We all know it's coming and frankly, that's boring. I lost interest after the third one and haven't seen the others. I should probably catch up.
Beyond that, I'm irked by the "torture porn" label. It gets thrown around by people who don't really know anything about horror movies. I suppose Hostel and some others like Flower of Flesh and Blood could be lumped into that sub-genre but it's an overused term.
Anyway, good post! I'll be back here regularly.
Adding you to my blogroll FYI
ReplyDeleteOooh! Chilling! Just watched the short version- had to cover my face with my hands and peep through parted fingers! Agree- well directed and acted, but don't think I could watch the full version :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree about the first Saw. They achieved a lot on a shoestring budget. I read that Danny Glover thought the actual takes they were using were rehearsals, which is why he's a bit spotty in the film, but overall, it was a pretty taut and suspenseful film.
ReplyDeletePlus pre-Ben Mike Emerson!!!
Agreed on all points, it was such a refreshing change of pace at its release, and I think the series has been holding up well.. for the most part..
ReplyDeleteJigsaw makes for an intimidating but empathetic character, which gives him infinite more depth than the average slasher.
Somehow I missed the original short, thanks for reposting that!!
I've actually still yet to see a complete Saw film. Guess I should get off my rocker, eh?
ReplyDeleteI wish I could watch horror movies, but something happened to me long ago, and I find it difficult now. But when I was a wee child of 3 or 4, I was quite the horror connoisseur!
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