SAW IV: Remaking a Sequel
Previously: Saw III: Jumping the Shark With the success of Saw III (arguably the best film in the Saw series) hot on its heels, Saw IV tried to replicate the success of its predecessor with better traps and more interesting plot lines. It fails on several of these points, not the least being its mediocre casting. The man at the center of the action is Rigg, the SWAT leader from the previous films, but his character is not compelling enough to warrant interest. His relationship with his wife recycles that of Dr. Gordon, but without the emotional anguish and Peter, the FBI agent seems stuck in an angry cop drama. His passionate outbursts are at odds with the film’s attempt at quiet atmosphere. Speaking of horrible casting, Hoffman does not live up to the title of Jigsaw’s apprentice and is simply not a compelling replacement. Through there is some debate as to whether the traps of Saw IV are masterminded by Jigsaw (the film runs concurrently with Saw III which can give t...