Saw: The Final Chapter Blu-ray Review

• 2nd Mar 2011

The Saw franchise spins its last wheel for this 3D and final outing (but judging by both commentary tracks it could well make its return in a few years time!)

This seventh film is a bit odd as it does have some of the biggest set pieces, probably the most action and perhaps, the most plot development since the original – but very few of these elements are inspiring – even on Blu-ray.  The blood, it has to be said, right from the get go looks very pink. The effects in general are fairly poor but then what are we to expect from a director who would have rather have been directing Paranormal Activity 2. To be fair though, he is also responsible for Saw 6 which was a step up. What went wrong with the effects here is anyone’s guess.

The traps here are also less impressive than before. Ok, they have a cute theme (hear, see, speak no evil) but the actual devices are very poor and do little for the 3D. But the complaints don’t stop there. Cary Elwes is back in a role that turns out to be little more than extended cameo. Gutted! Then there is the plot surrounding Jill Tuck (Jigsaw’s widow). We were left at the end of Part 6 believing that she was putting herself in control and instead she ends up a fleeing target for the new Jigsaw (Costas Mandylor) to seek retribution against.

There are quite a few poor performances from the supporting players (a new police detective in particular was very poor). The other weak performance comes from the young Indiana Jones himself as a self help guru who ends up in the b-story of the person confronting the traps. This one flows predictably and ends rather abruptly too.

On the plus side, Mandylor is finally starting to come off like a villain and it is thanks to him actually being out in the open now and not having to silently sneek behind the scenes. Here he is unleashed and can vocalise his part a bit more.  Elwes for all the time we get him is worth every second he is on screen. It is with him that we are given the decent ending this story ends on.

This is far from the worst of the films, but it is not among the best either.

The extras are a bit naff. Don’t be fooled by the title of some of them. The commentaries are worth a listen if you have been following the series. As for future instalments, they have given themselves a mighty ace up their sleeve with a certain character that they could use and also alter the franchise.  Can you imagine a more dramatised version of Saw where the Jigsaw is much more sympathetic and actually yearns to help those he seeks out, instead of each new Jigsaw just being a lunatic? It would strike a chord with the original more and offer a new direction that does not rely on gore, but on character tension.  But with these writers on board they would rather seek out prequel territory and play with the same set up they have been failing on all along.

Steven Hurst