Saw III (2006)

Summary: Jigsaw is back one last time but so is Amanda. And this time the game is to keep Jigsaw alive just long enough to watch their newest victim pass through a maze of challenges so that they come face to face with their own fears. The death of a child can be a powerful event and revenge can be such a powerful “want” that not getting it might be the only reason you’re still alive. Well Amanda is back to test this one man as they all come to grips with Jigsaw’s final puzzle.           Overall: Loved, loved, loved this film. I enjoyed the gore, I enjoyed the flashbacks, and I really enjoyed how it tried to connect all 3 films together and tie up loose ends. Bottom line was the film was a masterpiece.           In comparison to the prior films, Saw II may have brought us “more blood” but this film brought us more violence. The first 15 minutes just really gives us more and more and more. How they stayed under “NC-17,” I’d like to know…rumor is, it took 7 tries. So I’d love the DVD with the stuff they cut out. As it is, it’s gonna be hard to sit through and I admire anyone finishing the film.           As for the story, we got some nice performances this time, including Angus McFadden as “Jeff.” I was a great fan of him as “Robert the Bruce” and the weight he’s put on since totally caught me off guard. (and the lack of an accent) But Shawnee Smith and Tobin Bell were tremendous also.           Now before I keep singing the film’s praises...it’s not perfect. The film threw out some flashbacks of a “healthy” jigsaw and a “wife/significant other” but failed to follow it up. In addition, we never do truly find out the contents of Amanda’s envelope. The deleted scenes don't help with any of this either. There are only 2 new scenes on the “standard” dvd, one involving Amanda and Adam, flashing back to part 1 and also one involving the doctor and her attempt to escape Jigsaw's lair. Amusing scenes for sure but rightly cut. As for the “Director’s Cut” version of the film, you can see differences in the gore and stuff that got cut out. The ending is also a bit different, again more gore.           I like what the film was up to, discussing themes of Forgiveness. What does a father do when his child dies? Is it different that it was his son dead but daughter left alive? If given the chance to get revenge, what would we do? If our whole life is now consumed with revenge and hate, how would we react in these situations. Of the first 3 films, this is one where the audience can put themselves most in the situation of the victim and wonder how they’d react to Jigsaw’s game. But the film also doesn’t shy away from the idea that all and any actions do have consequences to them. Very important theme here. Every action has a reaction.           The franchise’s biggest gamble though was to kill off Jigsaw, further elaborated on in part 4. But they’re not afraid to do this. Very ballsy to kill off such a bankable and recognizable character!!           But I do feel the film wrapping up the end to part 2, new scenes to parts 1 & 2, was just icing on the cake. We definitely found out the ultimate fates to everyone and everything and frankly it was worth the ride. Tremendous finish to the film. Loved it!           Comparison: Saw meets The Usual Suspects

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