Saw (2004)

105 out of 137 people found the following review helpful:

Your limbs will feel Saw.......................

Thompsonic from St Albans, 8th March, 2005

I think that I have missed the point with all these people stating the similarities with se7en. It is similar in that it is dark, moody, has a very small character base and has a murderous theme. Aside from that (and be fair, they are reasonable common characteristics in a film), I fail to spot the similarities. This film is clever, concise and strings you along throughout. Not that Se7en wasn?t, but as i can?t mention specifics for fear of giving the plot away, you will have to trust me. The acting is wooden, but in a Blair witch sort of way - I feel that it is endearing to the plot, to see people not saying their lines perfectly, or at the perfect angle to camera - I feel it makes it more of a documentary style and therefore more realistic. There are a few licenses taken with what is likely in real life, but on the whole everything is believable, and let?s not forget that there are some very messed up people out there in the real world, so some of the stuff in this plot is not that incredible to envisage. The start is good, as it drops you straight into the predicament that forms the remainder of the film. The middle is the most disappointing, as it tends to flit between flashbacks and real life a little too much, but the end more than makes up for things. Without spoiling the plot, the last 30 seconds are really spine chilling and although what you see are everyday actions, you find yourself cursing your own stupidity and naivety throughout the film. Go get this and enjoy (although you may need a cushion, or a fit bird) to hang on to at times!!!

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74 out of 103 people found the following review helpful:

See SAW

Kevin Scott from Herne Bay, 30th May, 2005

I got a bit tired of all the SAW jokes contained in the reviews for this one so I thought, like the film, I'd take my review to the extremes and get my own back :- I SAW this film. Basically to CUT through all the crap, its great.Its ELECTRIC. Yes the acting in places is WOODEN, especially the Doctor who is just PLANE bad, a real poor TOOL.A total PLANK. His acting leaves you COLD.He even makes you think you wont be able to HACK the whole film, turn it off and give it the CHOP. However give a HAND to Leigh Whannell the other main lead who manages to add a bit of POWER to the film. However had it not been for all the good reviews I read prior to watching i MITRE turned it off. I'm so glad I didn't. The start senario leaves you wanting to continue watching, despite the set being a total iSAW. But soon a CHAIN reaction occurs with each piece of the jigSAW put in place. Sometimes a little confusing you appear to be going around in a CIRCULAR pattern, however the plot soon all falls into place and makes SENSE. Just keep the film RUNNING. Some of the scenes are a bit graphic and I found it hard COPING, even sleeping afterwards in my BED.Some of the time I watched through one EYE. This film sets a BENCH mark for all thrillers, especially as the film nears the end it seeSAW's between whom you might think the killer is. If like me you had to wait months for this one to be posted out , go out and buy it instead, its well worth a TENON of anyones money. A real BAND (A) grade film. If reading all these puns has left you feeling SAW, and a little UnShAW just stay SHARP and make ShAW you watch this film.I'll be BLUNT. I SAW SAW. Do as I did, SeeSAW and I'm ShAW if you see SAW as I saw SAW you will have a good night in, I WOOD if I were you.

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64 out of 67 people found the following review helpful:

contrived, derivative, formulaic

Rip from Manchester, 12th November, 2005

This film was reasonably enjoyable but I think the mistake made with many horror films, including this one is that the horrors are identified first and the story is fitted around them, instead of starting with a story that has horror already in it. Subtle difference, until you come to watch the film.

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78 out of 136 people found the following review helpful:

Over-hyped, be prepared to be disappointed !

sparx from from Ipswich, 8th February, 2005

The success of this film is primarily due to the fact it has been compared to David Fincher's vastly superior Seven. There is no comparison, this is a cheaply made popcorn movie that 'borrows' (a little too much) from Seven; the elaborate killings, the dark foreboding atmosphere, and certainly the set design are all poor imitations. The acting is consistently wooden from the entire cast, most notably from the main role of the Doctor, but given the material they have to work with we might forgive them. Danny Glover's role in the film is incredibly minor and really could have been played by any D list actor; his inclusion was perhaps to have a familiar name in the opening credits and for publicity purposes. This film really delivers nothing new or original, certain scenarios which play out during the film have been used to greater effect in Silence of the Lambs and in one instance Mad Max. The ending is a complete 'cop out'; the film totally abandons any real explanation or believable motive for the killer's actions. If you pay attention during the film the character revelations and plot 'twists' should become apparent before they happen, the ONLY question left should be 'Who is the killer?' and believe me its not worth finding out. Overall a decidedly average thriller that owes a lot of its success to Seven.

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saw

A Customer from Southampton, 18th November, 2008

absolutely amazing i really need say no more i am an avid saw fan absolutely fantastic!tobin bell is a genius and the ending is out of this world!any saw fan or fan of hostel typey films will love it

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Saw

A Customer from Hampshire, 16th November, 2008

Great film, the ultimate psychological horror. The film is none stop and has a very clever twist. The end of the film leaves you wanting more. Warning if your are horrified easily don't watch this film !! You have been warned.

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Saw

A Customer from London, 13th November, 2008

An evil man acting out evil fantasies. Great plot, well acted, fantastic ending. Not sure how the sequels will hold up, but we'll see.

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Masterpiece

A Customer from London, 2nd November, 2008

I had to be dragged screaming and kicking to watch this movie. My perception was that it was some kind of gorefest with no story, no plot just gruesome death. How wrong I was. What a great movie. Much superior to the Se7en to which it is often for some reason compared. Very clever movie, extremely well put together and the end genuinely suprised me.

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