A sight for Saw eyes

I JUST can't seem to stop myself from watching this series of films. It's a bit like seeing a car crash, you know it's wrong but for some bizarre reason you can't seem to stop looking.

So, the saga finally comes to a conclusion after a staggering number of sequels. There is only so long you can milk a franchise that centres around sadistic self-torture and, as with all good things, this has finally come to an end.

For those who have been living under a rock for the past several years and may not know what this type of film entails, the Saw movies are fairly straightforward ... blood, guts and gore, woven in between a remarkably intricate plot about redemption, sacrifice and a healthy dose of self-mutilation.

Jigsaw is a serial killer with a twist, he forces his victims to torture themselves in the hopes that, in the end, they will be 'reborn' with a new lust for life and realise the error of their selfish ways. The previous movies revolve around this premise and this one is not much different ... with the exception of the little fact that Jigsaw is dead and now his protŽgŽ has gone off on a power trip, not really bothering with instilling Jigsaw's message.

However, at the end of the last film, Jigsaw's ex-wife became involved in the games as part of a promise she made to her late husband. She tried to teach detective Hoffman (Jigsaw's protŽgŽ) a gruesome lesson, but unfortunately for her ... he survived and is now hell bent on vengeance.

Most Saw movies have a sub-plot, and this one is no different. Although detective Hoffman is now spending an inordinate amount of time hunting for Jill (Jigsaw's ex-wife), he still manages to set up a few 'games' for a man who untruthfully claimed to have survived one of Jigsaw's tests.

This guy has made a fortune, exploiting people into believing his story, he released a book, made TV appearances and detective Hoffman is clearly not impressed with his arrogance. So, a game is set and he must now overcome a series of gruesome challenges to be reunited with his wife ... did I mention that his wife was abducted? Well, she was! I found it ironic that lying about almost dying, leads to a journey that invariably ends with certain death (I can't ignore irony, it's like being smacked in the face with a trout).

The torture sequences are graphic and unrelenting and even I (a seasoned horror movie veteran) found myself watching parts of this movie through gaps in my fingers with baited breath and cries of: "Oh no, please no, don't do it!"

I have to give the film makers credit for being able to continue the franchise after killing off the main character two movies ago, some real thought has gone into this one, but I still feel that this is a series of films that should have come to an end a long time ago. The first instalment was fantastic, original and clever but then there was a massive drop-off in quality for the next several films. Yet, I kept watching this car crash with the hope that eventually things would come full circle ... and things finally have.

This is a terrific conclusion to a story that didn't ever show signs of ending. If you like gore then this one is for you, but if you're looking for a movie with a happy and predictable ending, go rent a Disney flick!

Showing in Cineco, Seef I and Saar Cineplex