Here's the epitome of my title, a random review if you'll ever see one. I, of course, randomized my collection and Saw IV was the first one of the franchise that ended up on my list - so here I am reviewing it. I'm a Saw fan, for sure, despite the ridicule it receives from people. Opposition of this franchise like to refer to it as "torture porn" which is highly overly negative, but whatever. It's a good little mystery based horror franchise that you can tell the writers put in a good amount of work for. The continuity throughout the seven films is there and very consistent - something very uncommon for horror franchises. Can't really discuss a Saw film without spoilers, so even though the movies have been out for a while now, keep in mind of that.
If this is your first Random Review and you're wondering what the fuck I'm doing, I just randomized my DVD collection and decided for shits and giggles, I would watch each one and review it.
Every Saw movie is based around at least one central character - a person the entire storyline is centered around and is usually the one going through Jigsaw's test. This one's main protagonist is Lt. Daniel Rigg, who has appeared in past Saw films. He has become obsessed with the idea of trying to interfere with everything and save everyone. The movie begins with the now dead Jigsaw's autopsy, which is as gruesome and realistic an autopsy as you're gonna get in a movie. You're squirming in your seat from the opening scene as you watch blades saw through skulls and rib cages being pulled apart. A tape is found inside Jigsaw's stomach and is instructing Mark Hoffman that his work is not done now that he is dead. The game is going to continue.
The team of detectives are called in to investigate the dead body of one of their own, Allison Kerry, who has fallen victim to one of Jigsaw's traps. Her body was left hanging in a contraption and the team figures out that there was no way Jigsaw could have put her in it in his unhealthy state. They know of Jigsaw's current partner, Amanda Young, would not have the strength to do so either. It is discovered that there has to be another accomplice, someone who will be carrying on Jigsaw's work. Who it is remains to be seen. Rigg is determined to find out who it is and figure out where his partners are as well - especially Eric Matthews. Matthews, who has been missing for months (introduced in the 2nd film) is presumed to be dead, but Rigg won't accept that. His wife can no longer handle his obsession and implores him to take a vacation so he can relax, but of course, he refuses to listen. She leaves him be on his own as she goes to visit her mother and the game begins for Rigg. Rigg is sent on a roller coaster of traps and difficult choices as Jigsaw attempts to make him see the error of his ways. From a prostitute's hair being ripped from her scalp, to an obese man's eyes being stabbed, and a woman having to pull spikes out of her body, thus causing her husband to die. Rigg slowly begins to learn that he has to play by the rules and let things happen as they were supposed to, rather than trying to interfere.
Like every Saw movie, IV introduces a lot of key plot points that explain past events in the franchise. It also introduces many twists and plot points that leave you guessing, itching to see the next movie to find out the answers to. This movie really focuses in on not Jigsaw, but rather, the man behind the gruesome traps. Who is John Kramer? What about his wife, does he have any kids? What caused him to become this psychotic engineer hell bent on teaching people lessons in such diabolical ways? You find out the answers to all of these questions in this movie. The most telling revelation in this flick is its explanation as to what happened to Eric Matthews. He is still alive, but not seemingly for long. Rigg has a set amount time until he can reach the room in which Matthews is left hanging, standing on a block of ice with two more blocks hanging above him. Right next to Matthews is Hoffman, himself, sitting bound to an electric chair on the same platform that is gathering water from Matthews' ice block. Should Matthews' ice block melt to the point where he begins to choke from being hanged, Hoffman will be electrocuted. Unfortunately, Rigg doesn't play by the rules and didn't learn his lesson. He bursts through the door before the time is up, thus causing Matthews skull to be obliterated by the hanging ice blocks in one of the most badass and gruesome kills in the Saw franchise. Hoffman emerges from the chair, revealing himself as Jigsaw's accomplice and you come to learn that the events of Saw IV are concurrent with the events of Saw III. It's one of the better twists in the Saw franchise and really epitomizes what the makers of these films stride to do. To shock the audience in every way possible.
The DVD for this film, at least the unrated director's cut version I have, is spectacular. It has two commentary tracks, one of them featuring the three main producers and another featuring Lyriq Bent (Rigg) and director Lynn Bousman. Both tracks are fairly good with the former being a bit more entertaining. Bent is watching the film for the first time while the director is very entertaining and informative throughout. Another special feature I really dug is the behind-the-scenes footage they provided with Bousman's video diary as they filmed the movie. I am beyond intrigued by the making of movies and being able to watch and listen to conversations a director has with actors and producers as the movie gets made. It's a lot of nerdy fun for me. It's a very informative DVD, really showing just how a Saw film comes to fruition.
My Rating - 7/10
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