'Saw VI'

 “Saw VI”
Rated: R
Release Date: 10/24
Directed by: Kevin Greutert
Starring: Tobin Bell,
Costas Mandylor, Shawnee Smith
Rating: D-

This is the sixth installment in the “Saw” movie franchise. This is just not fair. There were not even six “Mighty Ducks” movies and not even “Major League” comes close to the “Saw” sequel count.
Tobin Bell returns as Jigsaw, pulling all of his murder games from beyond the grave. Reading back through the movies’ plot, Jigsaw died in the third film, but here he is again subjecting audiences to more gruesome kills.
The filmmakers did try to inject some social commentary into “Saw VI” by using health care-employed people to subject his horrors upon. Poor occupation decision for these people because ol’ Jigsaw was once turned down for a medical procedure.
Nothing in the film works. Every facet of the film is sorry, from the acting to the directing to the lame script. It is almost easy to feel sorry for the actors in the film. They cannot do much with what they have been given.
This is not a film for people new to the series or those squeamish to overt acts of torture. So many elements are intertwined from previous installments it provides the film a familiar quality, because it is just as grisly and pointless as the rest of the series.
There is a good deal of frighteningly obscene murders in the film but the majority of the script is consumed by backstory. The release plays out like its only necessity is tying up loose ends from the other films. The film has more flashbacks than a “How I Met Your Mother” episode.
There are moments when tension is trying to be built, but the film does nothing to make the audience care about the characters at all. Their deaths are inevitable and lacking in surprise.
The release of these films each year during Halloween time is one tradition that needs to die, or just head straight to DVD. For some good scares this holiday stick with a classic from Blockbuster or something other than “Saw VI,” it will only frustrate and confuse.
Luke McCormick can be reached at
536-3311 ext. 275.