Picking up right where Saw IV left off as these films usually do, we see Detective Mark Hoffman exiting the abandoned building with the little girl (Jeff’s daughter) in his arms and letting his fellow officers know that no-one else survived. Little did he know that Special Agent Peter Strahm happened to find a way to survive one of Jigsaw’s traps and is still alive. Hoffman’s work was already cut out for him and now he has more left to do with the death of Jigsaw looming over everyone. A new problem has arisen though since Strahm survived and believes that someone on the inside with access has been Jigsaw’s accomplice all this time and he’s determined to figure out whom.
Saw V has a much more complicated plot then that, but I really don’t want to give anything more and risk giving it all away. Let’s just say that a different approach was taken to this film than the first four in the franchise. Expect a lot more storyline and explanation instead of tons of traps like you’ve seen before. With the rumor that the sixth film coming out in October ’09 being the last one, they are starting to tie up all the loose ends and fill in all the holes. Little pieces (pardon the pun) of the puzzle are being put in place and things are beginning to make more sense. Things that you may have wondered about since the first film are beginning to make sense now while all the time you just forgot about them thinking they’d never be explained.
That’s what makes this franchise so awesome is the continuity.
As I said in a past Making Movie History column of mine, Saw has done a phenomenal job of making sure every film in the franchise is relevant. Even with new writers and different directors, they’ve managed to connect everything together and keep the ball rolling on what is essentially one storyline spread out over a number of films. So many past characters from the first four films make small cameo appearances in Saw V, mostly in flashbacks, to oddly enough set things in motion. My God this is hard to explain without giving anything away which is why I urge everyone of you to go see it. But I also insist that you have seen the first four films beforehand because this is not a franchise that will allow you to catch up just by jumping in whenever you please.
The only thing that I could possibly complain about is the lack of traps that is synonymous with this particular series of films. There are some in there, and one that may be my favorite so far out of all of them, but still a lot less then we’ve all grown used to seeing. Those of you with weak stomachs can’t expect to go in and be able to watch it with ease because there are a few traps that even had me queasy with my hands over my mouth in shock. Can you imagine slicing your arm open and losing blood just in order to open a door? Yeesh, that freaks me out just thinking about it, but I’m not going to say another word about it because you deserve to be disgusted and disturbed on your own.
On the Saw scale, this one would have to go up near the top as one of my favorites because it’s the same but it’s also very different. I love the traps, disturbing images, and the gore. But I also love the story and how it is all coming together while leaving other things for us to wonder about until later this year with the “finale.” Those involved with Saw just continue to get everything right and it all starts with keeping the cast intact for which I loudly applaud them. Things just wouldn’t be right seeing someone else playing Jigsaw other then Tobin Bell….even though he’s been dead for two films now. But I couldn’t see someone else being the mastermind behind all of these traps and trying to make sure everyone appreciates their life.
This particular release is given the extra little title of “Unrated Director’s Cut,” but I’m having a bit of trouble comprehending why that is. Having seen Saw V in theatres back in October; I’m not certain what is different in this version to make it a director’s rut or call for it to be unrated. That doesn’t make a difference to me really, but if you’re going to act like something has been added then make sure to do so.
Saw V is presented in 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen format and it looks beautiful as they all do. The film has an overall dark appearance to it which is obviously intentional, but colors are bright where they need to be and that is especially true for the blood shed.
The film is heard in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and while this particular film in the series is more dialogue driven then the first four; you’ll still notice the speakers all around you kicking in for the music, screams, and trap sounds.
Audio Commentaries – The first commentary track is with director David Hackl and first assistant director Steve Webb. If you want a commentary track where you learn just about anything you ever wanted to know about a film then this is it. Hackl and Webb pretty much never stop talking and discuss so much that is happening on screen and everything that went on behind the scenes in order for Saw V to happen. This is a fantastic track with a lot of energy and coming from two guys that are obviously proud as hell in their film.
Track number two has producers Mark Burg and Oren Koules sitting with executive producers Peter Block and Jason Constantine. If you listen to the other commentary track first then you’ll learn things get a bit repetitive here, but it’s still pretty good. I like having more people involved, but nothing too new is discussed. Interestingly enough, they discuss the scene where Jill Tuck looks in the box Jigsaw left her, but we don’t get to find out what is in it in this film. The producers say they already know what is in it, but the answer will not be revealed until Saw VI.
The Pendulum Trap – Everything you wanted to know about the pendulum trap at the beginning of the film but were afraid to ask is right here. A pretty good, albeit short, feature that goes into the details of the trap as the crew discusses how nerve-racking it was with this particular trap since so much could go wrong. (5:47)
The Cube Trap – Just like with the pendulum trap, the cube trap in which Strahm is left to drown is dissected. Again, this is a short piece but it’s really cool how things had to be done and how they were actually accomplished to make it all look as real as possible. (5:12)
The Coffin Trap – Calling it perhaps the most dangerous trap of all to create, the crew goes through the final scene in which Hoffman is in the coffin and Strahm is in the squeezing room. (5:44)
Fatal Five – This feature takes a look at the five people involved with one another in the game being played away from the main storyline involving Jigsaw, Strahm, and Hoffman. It goes deep into all the traps they face, how the traps were designed, and the special effects that went into them. (11:53)
Slicing The Cube: Editing The Cube Trap – Director David Hackl actually came up with the idea for the start of the cube trap scene by putting his nine year old son’s head in a plastic box and directing him to look around. After that, the editing crew discusses using multiple cameras and splicing together different pieces of footage to create the ultimate fear. This is a great feature which I enjoyed a lot. (5:02)
Theatrical Trailer – Usually if the trailer is included on a disc, I’m happy about it and don’t have anything to say about it but this is a tad different. The trailer included on this disc is the teaser, but it’s actually the second version of the teaser and also the inferior version. The version here is presented with a male voice singing while the original shown below is the first one and it has the female voice making for a much creepier and more effective presentation.
Trailers – Repo: The Genetic Opera, My Bloody Valentine 3D, The Spirit, Midnight Meat Train, Bangkok Dangerous, Disaster Movie, My Best Friend’s Girl, and Hulk Vs.
Saw V continues a good trend in a franchise that has been littered with nothing but enjoyable films. While they may not all be top notch, they’re still a lot of fun to watch and actually do a damn good job of continuing storylines even though directors and writers have changed. As things wind down to this year’s possible end in the franchise, we are getting explanations to not only the film we are watching but also things that happened three or four years ago. A horror film series that also has a valid plot and continuing storylines? That’s A-ok in my book! The special features are quite good as well with dissections of the traps and some entertaining commentaries. The first three Saw DVD releases saw not only the initial copy but then a 2-disc special edition come out some time later. Saw IV actually only got the one release and nothing more which makes me think more special features were thrown into this DVD simply because it will be the only version on the market. No matter because it is good from beginning to end in film and special features so might as well pick it up now before someone kidnaps you in a pig mask, ties you to a chair, and spins you around as a sharp device peels you like an apple.
Hmmmm…if anyone involved with the Saw franchise is reading this then realize that’s an awesome idea for a trap. Royalties would be appreciated.
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Lionsgate presents Saw V Unrated Director’s Cut. Directed by: David Hackl. Starring: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Scott Patterson, Betsy Russell, Mark Rolston, Julie Benz, Carlo Rota, Meagan Good. Written by: Patrick Melton & Marcus Dunstan. Running time: 92 minutes. Rating: Unrated. Released on DVD: January 20, 2009. Available at Amazon.com
About Danny Cox
