not for kids
Another Halloween, another gory torturefest. Yuck.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this fourth bloody Saw movie isn't remotely meant for kids (even though horror-loving teens will probably be interested), and it's hardly worth the time of the series' fans, either. The gory, torture-centric formula is familiar: Villain Jigsaw arranges elaborate "games" by which victims either survive by killing someone else or abusing themselves to near-death, or they die. Frequent over-the-top violence includes stabbing, shooting, hanging, fighting, slicing, and more. A pregnant woman suffers a bloody miscarriage. There's some nonsexual male nudity, a shot or two of cleavage, and reference to prostitution. Also expect the usual bad language, including lots of uses of "f--k."
- Families can talk about the appeal of "torture porn." Why does this cynical subgenre of horror movies continue to succeed with viewers? Do you think it will ever go too far (and who defines what "too far" is, anyway?)? How is the Saw franchise itself now a kind of "game"? Is it different from the games perpetrated by Jigsaw? And does he become a more sympathetic character when you learn his backstory? Why or why not?
The good stuff
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Messages: Serial killers get victims to kill other victims in pursuit of "cherishing life," but really, it's all cruel, self-absorbed games.
What to watch for
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Violence: The film is packed with gory violence, beginning with Jigsaw/John's autopsy (sawing through skull, slicing through chest, and breaking rib cage open, all with yucky sound effects, in close-up with much blood). Violent acts throughout the film feature hatchets, chains, hanging contraptions, grinding gears, knives, guns, fists, and all manner of piercing traps and cutting gizmos. A man appears with eyes sewn shut, another with mouth sewn shut (bloody effort to open it). Rat eats a corpse. Photos of bloody victims and torturer. Husband and wife are pinned together with rods that she pulls out (bloody and excruciating). An exploding puppet sends shards into a woman's face. A pregnant woman is slammed by a door and miscarries (bloody). Climax involves violence and tension; multiple characters are murdered.
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Sex: John's body appears on a morgue table, naked (nonsexual), with at least two views of his penis (both at some distance). Rigg appears in his boxers (shirtless) as he searches his apartment for an intruder. A woman being tortured shows cleavage. In a flashback, John is solicited by a prostitute; he tells her to go home.
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Language: Very frequent use of "f--k," plus occasional uses of "s--t," "c--ksucker," "hell," "a--hole," "damn," and "son of a bitch."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: In a flashback, Jill works in an addicts' clinic -- the clients show the effects of substance abuse, though not actual use; one smokes a cigarette.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Loved it by Dream Pendulum
I am a Hardcore Saw fan and love all the Saws this one was a good add to the franchise. I am not the type of person that just goes for just the "Gore" in the films the film has to have a story and all the Saw so far manage to maintain a excellent plot line and I always enjoy the twists. I did not doubt this movie It did it's job to help give you a better understanding on jigsaw and his work and more reasons why he started, and looking forward for the next one. I have found out that most of the people that didn't enjoy the movie didn't fully understand it. I saw the movie 3 times now and still enjoyed.
5
Lived up to every expectation by metke11040
I LOVED this movie!
Just as its predecessors, this movie kept you guessing until the end. As before you don't really know what is actually happening until the last five minutes., but the hour and forty minutes leading up to that point are so full of twists and turns (metaphorically and physically) that you must give the writers kudos (well some of them. I still worry about whoever comes up with these torture devices). There is again an array of unique contraptions to "test" the victims.
In short, this movie was brillinatly done and, as expected, heavy on the gore and bloody violence. If you enjoyed any of the previous Saw movies go and see this one. However, if you are one of those people who hates violence or cant stand gore, avoid it like the plague. This is for viewers with tolerance for blood.
5
MUST SEE! by lnr3284
I must start by saying that ALL the SAW movies keep my interest...this SAW has the sharpest blade by far tho. SAW IV is extremely interesting and helps the entire story unfold even more (how is that possible you ask...well they did it and its not boring its 100% fresh!) This entire series of movies is so interesting how each one perfectly weaves togeather. I have to say that the name Jigsaw from the movie is appropriate in more than one way...just like a jigsaw puzzle all four SAW movies fit perfectly togeather, never boring, rich story line and awesomely gruesome and wicked ways to 'help' the victims learn how to embrace thier lives instead of ignorantly wasting thier lives away. If you have not seen this move yet gather all your friends (or go alone, it's that good) and run to the nearest theater that it's playing at...you won't be dissapointed!
4
Saw IV by lecapitaine26
After a lackluster third installment, the Saw franchise take a big step in the right direction with a fourth film. After brilliant writing and directing in the first two films, the third left me disappointed after concentrating more on gore and carnage than on the ingenius plot development and twists I was blown away by in the first two. Saw IV certainly didn't lack gore, but the writings did a fantastic job with the plot as I was again left with goosebumps with the twists and turns in the film all the way until the final, bone-chilling scene. Saw IV was worth the price of admission, and I hope the writers of the Saw franchise continue on this path in the next two films.
4
Thought provoking saw?!?!? by Zigs503
This movie was great... i will definitely go again to see the movie both because its just that amazing and because the storyline is pretty twisted and sorta confusing...pay close attention while watching it and don't just watch it for the gore...thats kinda what i did and i was lost in the end
5
SAW MUST BE SEEN!! by deadpool1977
MAN, what a movie. I thought it was the best one yet. I can't believe they left it open for another one. I though the 3rd one was really good.....wait till you see this one!!!!!
4
Saw IV by pianodude
Saw IV is unlike the previous movies in that there is non-stop goings on. The movie in frenetic in that there are plots and subplots constantly going. It kept my attention throughout especially because if my mind drifted away I was going to miss an important part. The torture scenes are becoming more graphic and increasingly disturbing, but I love it. I am going to view it a second time to see what parts I might have missed.
5
Review- 4 out of 5 by Tjfkidd
This movie IS a very entertaining horror movie. I am a hardcore Saw fan and i have seen each movie about 3 times. If you want my order it would go something like this: Saw, Saw IV, Saw III, And then Saw II. I am looking forward to saw 5 and I am i little bit scared what will happen with this new director if he can live up to Darren's amazing producing and directing skills. All in all i think this movie followed the plot left behind for it by the other movies and wasnt afraid to give us some more information about jigsaw's past. When i first viewed Saw III, i thought it was a good ending to a great franchise. But now that I have seen IV and i know there are two more coming, i am very excited. This movie does have a fair amount of gore in it so i would not recommend bringing anyone under 12 in. I give Saw IV 4 out of 5 stars.
4
Great for a part 4 by msigall0308
I thought it was really good considering it was the fourth in a series. The death scenes were great maybe the best yet. I would definitely go if you liked the first three. I wish there were a little more twists too it but I was into from the first scene till the last.