Saw V (2008)

- written October 2008

Summary: Detective Hoffman has escaped the Jigsaw trap and brings out with him the little girl belonging to Jeff and Lynn who had died. However Detective Strahm also survived, which seems a little peculiar to Hoffman. Turns out that Strahm has some suspicions who is helping Jigsaw and Hoffman has to set up the next test for 5 new individuals!           Overall: Well first off, since Part 2, no “Saw” film can truly stand on its own. You must see the previous films for each one to make sense and as in the case with Parts 4 & 5, you need a sequel to fill in the blanks the films left open. Although we get a lot more answers about how Hoffman got caught up into all this, we saw very little of Jigsaw’s ex-wife as well as what other tidbits Hoffman has going on at the end. Bottom line, by itself the movie simply can’t stand alone.           Now, taking everything we do learn in the film, we continue to fill in blanks for films 1-4... We see lots of background on the original traps and on Hoffman’s involvement. We get a lot more information of Jigsaw and his motives and limitations. We do get a ton of info here and that’s much needed.           We also get our own little 90 minute test for 5 “spoiled” individuals who need some “rehabilitation” into their lifestyles. And plenty of gore and close-ups to go with it. Yummy!           We do have unanswered questions and a whole lot of them. One of the 5 “victims” seemed to know a little too much about the contraptions, but that could have been me. Overall, I think there is more to be found out concerning the pictures of Strahm’s boss found at the crime scene as well as what/who they’ll blame for the 5 victims from the game. And what locations was everything taking place at, etc. Tons of new questions.           But overall, a good gory film that does nicely within the franchise.           Comparison: None

Links to other sites at The Sinning Room

Saw Review Page

Horror Films L-Z Review Page

Horror Films Review Page