Saw (2004) Review
If there's one crazy thing I've learnt this spooky season, it's that the first entries of well known schlocky horror franchises are actually quite good!
Final Destination was a very pleasant surprise for me, but I was totally sideswiped by how unexpectedly good Saw was. My expectations were quite low given the series reputation of being entirely centered around gore with sprinklings of unnecessarily complicated lore. And while this movie does have some gore, and it definitely crams in quite a bit of mythology, for the most part it's a very efficient and slim thriller.
The best aspect of this movie is the present day story of two men trapped in a room and chained to the walls. I understand the flashbacks help establish a lot of details which later pay off, but I personally feel like I would've enjoyed the movie more if it was even more stripped down and didn't cut back to past events in such a liberal way. All my favourite parts were Adam and Lawrence throwing each other things and figuring out the mechanics of their situation, and I would've loved to see even more of that problem solving. That being said, the way that it all comes together in the end was a total blast. I already knew the main twist, but the energy with which they reveal everything is incredibly exciting.
Based on what I've heard about the series there were two other things that surprised me a lot. First of all, James Wans camera work is very distinctive and engaging. His style of wide lenses and rapid swooping movements is fully present right from his first film, and I think it adds a level of grand suspense that wouldn't be present if it was shot with standard coverage. The other aspect is the performances. Overall they're a mixed bag, but what I find interesting is that all the performances I thought were too corny were actually from the more established actors. Maybe Cary Elwes and Danny Glover thought the movie was below them and they phoned it in a little. But Leigh Whannell is so incredibly fucking entertaining and clearly wrote the screenplay to his strengths. He's suitably over the top while still playing it with total sincerity, and even if it doesn't always feel "real" I was never pulled out (Also worth noting, he looks a lot like Ezra Miller???????).
I don't know if I'll be watching the rest of the series, but I'm glad I've ticked this one off the list and I'm very happy that it turned out to be thoroughly entertaining
