SAW Week: Saw VI (2009)

'SAW VI' is a strange beast. While it doesn't exactly change up the formula of the previous films, there are several elements that boost it above the previous two entries. This film is more focused this time, with a story taking a stab at the medical insurance companies, who Jigsaw sees as true murderers. Being a terminally ill man when alive, Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) was denied any medical insurance to ensure his wife's security and his personal health so the game this time around does seem the most personal to him. The participant of this entry's 'game' is the very man who denied him as he must confront the various other folks he has hurt with his business practices and 'bottom line'. It is quite strange how deep this story goes with some genuine drama and emotion. Lord knows why it took five sequels to get a decent story out of the 'Saw' franchise but this is my personal favorite script out of them all.

Even the traps are more impressive and creative, including the one you see above known as the 'Carousel Trap' which I won't spoil for those who haven't seen it. Kevin Greutert has been the editor of the series since the beginning, this time getting the director's position and he does have some talent with it. I think his editing skills in the 'Saw' series are hit and miss with the strange quick cutting technique that makes a lot of people nauseous but he has some really interesting set ups and camera work. His style would carry over to the next film as well but 'Saw VI' is by far his best film. The gore and all the things you love about the series make a comeback and as always the sequels manage to one up each other. This one feels even more brutal thanks to the personal vendettas each victim has in the story which has been severely lacking in the previous films and renders them into pointless visual gags rather than having substance.

'Saw VI' isn't that great of a film and I won't argue that here but it is the best sequel of the franchise because it seems to actually attempt at storytelling as well as some gory splatter. Most argue that horror flicks like this do not need story and to some degree that's true. However, when you're series is deliberately attempting an overall story arc across seven films they need to try better than these films. If they were nothing more than slasher/splatter flicks I would be a little more forgiving. 

( C + )