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Bookmark this pageSaw V (2008)
Director: David Hackl
Synopsis
The latest instalment of the now-annual 'Saw' franchise with Tobin Bell returning as the demented serial killer, Jigsaw. See you next year, kids!
Movie review
From Time Out London
“You won’t believe how it ends”, proclaim the posters for the latest ‘Saw’ movie. It’s a good strap-line, and for once it’s true. You won’t believe how pitifully anti-climactic the ending is; the film doesn’t so much end as come to an abrupt, bewildering halt. This underwhelming denouement aside, even the most die-hard of ‘Saw’ fans won’t credit how tedious, lame and pointless this fourth sequel manages to be. ‘Saw IV’ tried to jump-start the series’ failing heart by introducing a Jigsaw acolyte, Detective Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor).Padded out with multiple flashbacks to the four previous instalments, ‘Saw V’ details Hoffman’s training at the hands of the now-dead deviser of gruesome games. But another survivor of the last bloodbath, FBI agent Peter Strahm (Scott Patterson), suspects the heroic Hoffman of having had a hand in the killings. After all, Hoffman investigated every one of the murders, and had a personal vested interest in one of them – that of his slain sister.
Because all this boring police procedural stuff happens outside the slaughterhouse, any potential tension or suspense is dissipated. Meanwhile, inside the house of pain, it’s déjà vu all over again, as five incarcerated victims try to figure out cryptic video-taped clues, and escape fiendishly booby-trapped rooms. Yet not even these cruel engines of pain are as ingenious or horrific as those in the previous films. Any film that opens with a scene stolen from Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Pit and the Pendulum’ has much to live up to. Suffice to say, this doesn’t.
Author: Nigel Floyd
Time Out London Issue 1992: October 23-29, 2008
User reviews of this film
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- add the ladd said...
- Posted on Oct 25 2008 19:07 i think the film is brilliant ...........i just need to watch it now!
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- Helen said...
- Posted on Oct 25 2008 18:46 I did like the film but i have to admit it wasnt as horrific as the others! It gave all the answers to the questions fans were asking - from prev saw films and created some new ones! Def worth watching though and cant wait for the next one...............
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- rajesh said...
- Posted on Oct 25 2008 17:48 i expected to be let down, but i wasn't , the film is well worth a watch from all saw' fans, again the writers are extremely clever, twists and turns , and jaw dropping scenes, is it all over now? who knows, certainly got me and my mates chatting!
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- Stephen Spielberg said...
- Posted on Oct 25 2008 15:46 the best bit of cinema in recent years. in depth thought provoking plot and delightful character twists. a must see!
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- likes eating chocolate said...
- Posted on Oct 25 2008 10:15 This film was great. Just as clever and confusing as the others. Loved it! Ending was good. I have only ever been to the pics to watch saw films, and never been dissapointed.
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- Worthy said...
- Posted on Oct 25 2008 05:52 The film is poo! very lame in comparison with past Saw movies. Wait for it on DVD....borrowed from a mate!
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- jarjar said...
- Posted on Oct 24 2008 20:46 don't listen to eric this film rocks!
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- Eric the half a bee said...
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Posted on Oct 24 2008 20:24
Do you trust the artistic judgement of someone who "wud" urge you to go and watch this film? Doesn't inspire confidence, really.
Oh, and the film's poo. It's not even "so bad, it's good" like the earlier ones, it's just bad. - Report as inappropriate
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- Lala_and_po said...
- Posted on Oct 23 2008 22:15 I think think flim is great!! And i wud urge everyone to go out and watch it. excellent excellent.
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Cast & crew
Director: David Hackl
Cast: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Scott Patterson, Betsy Russell, Julie Benz, Meagan Good full cast
Genre(s): Horror
Rated: 18
Duration: 88 mins
UK Release: Oct 24 2008
US Release: Oct 24 2008
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