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Friday, February 13, 2009

Review #99: Christine (1983)

Cast/Notable Credits:
John Carpenter (Director): Halloween

Keith Gordon (Arnie): Jaws 2 (1978), Back to School (1986)

John Stockwell (Dennis): Top Gun (1986), Eddie and the Cruisers (1983)

Alexandra Paul (Leigh): The Paper Boy (1994), Baywatch T.V. series

Robert Prosky (Will): Gremlins 2 (1990), Hill St. Blues T.V. series

Harry Dean Stanton (Rudolph Jenkins): Alien

Kelly Preston (Roseanne): Spacecamp (1986), From Dusk til Dawn (1996), Sky High (2005)

Christine Trailer:


Plot:

Based on a Stephen King novel:

A geeky high school kid (Arnie) finds an old, beat up, red 57' Plymouth Fury in some one's front yard while riding with his friend Dennis home from school. Arnie and Dennis stop to inquire about the car and Arnie ends up buying it for $250 bucks. Arnie names the car Christine. He takes Christine home, and his parents flip out over his purchase of the car and tells him that he cannot park it at the house. With the help of Dennis, Arnie takes Christine to a junkyard garage shop to store and rebuild.

Over the course of the next few weeks, Arnie restores Christine to mint condition. Arnie becomes obsessed with working on Christine and undergoes major personality changes. Arnie goes from a pushed around loser geek to "Joe Cool" greaser bad boy. Arnie even manages to snag the school's most popular girl, Leigh. Dennis sees the changes in his best friend and goes back to old guy that sold Christine to Arnie. Dennis learns that Christine's previous owner died of carbon monoxide poisoning inside the car. Also mysterious deaths surrounded Christine and the previous owner became obsessed with Christine.

Dennis becomes seriously injured in the football game that the newly restored Christine makes her first appearance in public. Arnie's new girlfriend starts to take a disliking to Christine, as Arnie spends more time him Christine than her. One night at the Drive-In, Christine attempts to kill Leigh by suffocating/choking her when Arnie stepped out. Leigh gives Arnie a choice, "It's me or the car."

Later that night, Arnie parks Christine at the garage and heads for home. A couple of high school punks who dislike Arnie decide to break in the garage and do their best at smashing up Christine. Arnie comes back with Leigh and they find Christine all smashed up and vandalized. Arnie and Leigh break up over it, and Arnie becomes dark and evil as Christine fixes herself up amazingly and they go off and hunt down the hoodlums that smashed Christine. One by one they pick off the punks.

After the first kid dies, the police become interested in Arnie and his car. Detective Jenkins questions Arnie about the kids smashing up Christine, and is amazed how quickly she was fixed up. Arnie defends Christine and down plays how bad Christine was smashed. Jenkins finds Arnie's tales and lies hard to believe as he continues his investigation and more punks die off.

Dennis gets out of the hospital towards the end of the year, and Leigh calls him up to talk about Christine. They both agree that Christine is evil, and they head down to the garage to destroy her. Unfortunately Christine doesn't want to die and has plans for them. Caught up in the middle of the Car-boy-love-affair is Arnie who is reluctant to let Dennis and Leigh destroy Christine.

During the era of film and T.V. where cars ruled the world, Christine has got to be close to the top of the list of best car shows. Of course there are other cool cars on that list. Within the review, I'll be going over my top 5 cars and their flicks (during the early 80's era).

5. 80's GMC Sierra 4x4 pick up - The Fall Guy. I loved this show for some reason. Probably because of the cars and Heather Thomas (Pictured left). Lee Majors (Colt) the famous stuntman drove the brown 4x4 pick up during his adventures. Co-star Heather drove a white camaro. I remember having a 8" toy replica truck as a kid that I used to play around and run over all my other toys with.

Christine is a smart, sleek horror film. Many people can relate to the flick. Not in the "crazed maniac car" sense, but many of us have named our cars and have developed special bonds to them. After all, we spend a lot of our time traveling in them, and we also depend on their durability and safety. Some people are obsessed like Arnie and spend the majority of their time fixing them up making them a little bit better than before. After all, how many horror movies have run the killer car plot dry? Not many.

4. Mr. T's van - The A-Team. Yeah, that's what I'm talking about! It was a metallic black GMC Vandua van with a red stripe down each side. It was the ultimate bad ass van. No "mini" used in that phrase. How can we forget the show that turn Vietnam vets into underground mercenaries helping the weak in Los Angeles. There was always a segment during the show where they used the MacGuyver skills and built some tank or bomb out of the scraps laying around. I pity the fool to mess with that van!

As far as the characters of the movie, I wasn't overly impressed, but not disappointed. I took me forever to place the main character Arnie, Keith Gordon. He looks like a typical 80's movie geek. Once I researched the characters and found out where I've seen him before, it just clicked. He played one of the teen sail boaters in Jaws 2. Christine was Baywatch's Alexandra Paul's (pictured right) first featured role in a film. I think she looks better with longer hair, rather than that butch-cut she supported during Baywatch. Alien alumni Harry Dean Stanton played the role of the lead detective. It took him a while to show up in the movie but it was worth it.

3. Christine - Christine. Pretty self explanatory in this article. Just in case you missed it, she was a red 58' Plymouth Fury with white side panel stripes.

The film lacked in the TNA department, but that's all right. Some times horror films don't need all that to succeed. Not that I don't mind it, but in this case, it didn't hurt the film too much.Kelly Preston (pictured left) had a small role in the film as the school's slut. She was the hot chick from Spacecamp and the MILF from Sky High. Obviously she was younger back then, but she's still looking good!

2. General Lee - Dukes of Hazzard. We all know that car. You have to have been living underneath a rock if you don't. Just in case, you're not a car guy, it was a 69' Dodge Charger. During production they used Charger models from 68' and 69' to fit the car, but it is listed as a 69' Charger. That was the #1 reason to watch the show or #2 if you watched it for Daisy and her Daisy Dukes. It was a close race for me. I was a younin' so the car did hold some power over my pre-hormone years.

Christine is a classic horror movie that stands up through the years of time. Sure some of the outfits and hair do's are out of date and silly, but the rest of the film holds true to the test of time. The film used the "KISS" method...uh oh...did I just reference K.I.S.S.? We all know what that means...pictured left...and not the "Knights In Satan's Service" acronym, but "Keep It Simple Stupid". The film kept it simple. Killer car kills everyone who is a threat between her and Arnie. All background is explained in a line or two here and there. Bottom line: killer car movie. Not much more needed explaining. It didn't have a traumatizing psychological youth. Nor did we get some black magic stowed upon it. We just got to accept that it came from the gates of hell to kill.

1. KITT - Knight Rider. The famous black 82' Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with the glowing side to side red light on the hood. KITT stood for Knight Industries Two Thousand and was voiced by William Daniels (ABC's Boy Meets World). And lets not forget the Hoff!
* Honorable mention: 74' Dodge Monaco (Blues Brothers), Dixie~80' White CJ-7 Jeep (Dukes of Hazzard, 77' Pontiac Trans Am (Smokey & the Bandit 1 & 2) *

Misc. Movie Trivia:
-Film opened on December 9, 1983 and made $21.2 million at the Box Office ($3.4 million opening weekend)
-Scott Baio, Kevin Bacon, and Brooke Shields were considered for the lead roles
-The car is mentioned as a 58' Plymouth Fury; although there is speculation that it is a 57' Fury. 13 or 16 Fury's were smashed during the film and 25 used to film. There were a mixture of year makes
-Detective Jenkins drives a 77' or 78' Plymouth Fury
-License plate is "CQB" which stands for Close Quarters Battle

Review #98: Waxwork 2: Lost in Time (1992)

Cast/Notable Credits:
Anthony Hickox (Director): WaxWork

Zach Galligan (Mark): WaxWork

Monika Schnarre (Sarah): Warlock (1993), Turbulence 3 (2001), Beast Master T.V. series

Patrick Macnee (Sir Wilfred): WaxWork

Jim Metzler (Roger): 976-EVIL (1988), Children of the Corn 3 (1995)
Trailer:


Waxwork 1 Link:

Plot:

WaxWork 2 (WW2) picks up directly right after the first film. As the house burns down, a wax zombie hand escapes and follows Mark and Sarah. The zombie hand follows Sarah home and murders her stepfather in the night. Sarah walks in during the murder and throws the hand down the garbage disposal and kills it. Unfortunately the rest of the world thinks Sarah killed her stepfather.

At her trial, she tells them of the WaxWork and the zombie hand, and no one believes her, except Mark. Court is at recess for the day, and Sarah is out on bail (I guess). Mark convinces Sarah to go to the house of Sir Wilfred to find any evidence that might support her story. The search the house and come to a room with a film projector. They turn on the film and it's Sir Wilfred telling Mark that he has left him the estate and gave him a clue to finding the secret passage to the hidden room where he and Mark's grandfather has collected memorabilia from their journeys fighting evil.

Mark and Sarah finds the secret passage and all the artifacts including a compass that lets them time travel. Mark wants to go through time to try and find some evidence that will save Sarah from conviction. She agrees and they open a "time portal" to another that lands them in the time and house of Dr. Frankenstein. Sarah is the doc's girlfriend, and she doesn't remember anything. Mark is the butler and finally convinces her of what has happened. Mark steals Dr. Frankenstein's reanimation journal (to prove Sarah's innocence) and they both hop through another time portal.

They get separated and lost through time and jump through different portals and get sent through different time scenarios before ending up in a renaissance time period where Mark is captured and Sarah is set to be married to some dude (Scarabis) trying to overthrow the King of England.

Mark learns through the spirit of Sir Wilfred disguised as a crow, that they are in a parallel dimension called Cartagra. God and Satan battle out their plans for humanity in this world. Mark also learns that he is a "time warrior" who is destined to jump through portals and battle evil. Sir Wilfred the crow, frees Mark from his captivity and Mark then battles Scarabis through portals and dimensions of time (hint: about one for each of the wax exhibits from the first) to free Sarah. Mark defeats Scarabis and sends Sarah back to the real world (with some evidence)as he decides stay behind and continue his legacy.

Huh...

Huh...

Huh...

Well. That was an interesting movie. Definitely took it's goofiness from the first movie to the next level...or two...or three. To put it simple, it was complete nonsense. Matter of fact, I think I lost a few brain cells watching that. But at least it was enjoyable to watch. Not a terrific movie from a horror perspective, but it would make a fun drinking game movie. Take a shot every time Sarah enters a new dimension and forgets who she is. Take another from each classic horror monster.

WW2 lacks any horror movie type of feel, but does deliver in good ole' fashion fun. It has to be placed up in the ranks of "cult status" because it's along the lines of Army of Darkness. Which also featured Bruce Campbell. Bruce = God. Not in this film, but overall. If God had a jaw. A big jaw.

The story is bizarre, and hops all around. The "mini" stories/portals pretty much have no relevant barring on the film. It's like someone just wanted to have a haunted house scene and the director said, "Let's do it!" And the haunted house scene was like a bad episode of Ghost Hunters mixed with the Amityville Horror. Anchoring the story was Bruce and Counselor Troi from Star Trek: TNG.

One thing what I hated about this film, they re casted the role of Sarah. WTF? Out is Deborah Forman and in is Monika Schnarre (pictured right). Monika's a little easier on the eyes, but are you telling me that you couldn't get Deborah to take out of her busy movie making schedule to come back for this one? (All none of them!) Please. I hate recasts!

So Gremlin-boy is the "time warrior". We get to meet his grandfather in the film, who is none other than David Carradine (Kung Fu). Are you kidding me? Kung Fu man? Yep, patience young grasshopper. Carradine plays a mid-evil beggar and gives Mark a sword to help defeat Scarabis. Can't you picture Gremlin-boy as a "time warrior"? Galligan. Zach Galligan. I like my martinis shaken, not stirred.

Despite all of its goofiness and crapiness, you have to give this movie a pass on pure enjoyment alone. Nothing makes senses, but some how it all fits together well. Sure there are more movies out there that put more time and effort into making their film, but this one is proof that you don't need a multi-million dollar budget to make something that's gonna suck anyway.

Misc. Movie Trivia:
-Film opened on May 11, 1992 and went straight to video
-Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead), Marina Sirtis (Star Trek: TNG...pictured right), Drew Barrymore (Scream), David Carradine (Kung Fu) all had small roles

Exclusive Friday Clip!

Here's an exclusive clip from the new Friday the 13th movie:

Review #97: Waxwork (1988)

Cast/Notable Credits:
Anthony Hickox (Director): Waxwork 2, Hellraiser 3 (1992), Warlock (1993)

Zack Galligan (Mark): Gremlins

Deborah Foreman (Sarah): April Fool's Day, Real Genius (1985)

Dana Ashbrook (Tony): Return of the Living Dead 2 (1988)

John Rhys-Davies (Werewolf): The Ferryman

Clare Carey (Gemma): Home Alone 4 (2002), Crocidile Dundee in L.A. (2001), Coach T.V. series
Patrick Macnee (Sir Wilfred): Waxwork 2, The Howling

David Warner (David): The Omen (1976), Star Trek 5 (1989) & 6 (1991), Scream 2

Trailer:


Plot:

The evil haunted wax museum keeper, David Lincoln invites Sarah and China (isn't that a steriod-using chick wrestler?) to a midnight screening of his wax exhibits. They agree, and he tells them to bring no more than six people.

So they invite their rich friend, the dude from Gremlins (Zach G...aka...Mark) and a couple other friends to the tour. Before the tour two friends chicken out and bolt, leaving Mark, Tony, Sarah and China to tour themselves. Once they start the tour they quickly get divided up and tour the wax museum alone at their own pace.

Tony drops his lighter over a werewolf exhibits red rope barrier. He proceeds over the rope to pick it up, and once he crosses, he gets sucked into the exhibit real life reenactment.

Tony thinks that he is either hypnotized or somebody slipped him acid because he can't believe whats going on. He plays along and enters a cabin. Inside the cabin, Tony meets Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) who then warns him to stay away and then transforms into a werewolf before his eyes. Gimli the werewolf bites Tony as some townsfolk comes in and kills the werewolf with silver bullets and then shoots Tony as he transforms himself. Tony dies in the exhibit and becomes a "wax piece" to the exhibit.

The same thing happens to China as she crosses the line at a Count Dracula exhibit. Puzzled by their friends disappearance, Sarah and Mark leave the waxwork show. The next day, their friends are still missing, and Mark decides to go to the police to report what he believes.

Mark learns from a detective that 13 other people have gone missing in the last two weeks. The plot thickens! Mark blames the wax museum for the disappearances, but the police are skeptical. The detective decides to take Mark to the wax museum to check it out and prove him wrong. The caretaker, David, lets the detective tour the wax exhibits by himself. The detective finds nothing wrong, calls it quits and leaves with Mark.

Mark returns home disappointed and does a little "attic research" with Sarah (Deborah Foreman pictured right). Attic research is when the movie can't explain how the evil plan works, so they use the "my grandfather saved newspaper clippings from back in the day" to piece together the mystery.

While Mark and Sarah does their own investigation, the detective at the police station has flashbacks of faces of missing persons and their faces as wax figures in the museum. The detective decides to check the wax house out one more time...just to make sure. Because we don't want the police not putting 100% effort into their investigations.

Mark and Sarah has learned that a town local named, Sir Wilfred was mysteriously involved and they go to pay him a visit. At Sir Wilfred's house they learn that the waxwork is a deal between David Lincoln and Satan to achieve people's souls in exchange for immortality. Yep. It's a deal with Satan type of show.

Once David has collected 18 souls, one for each wax exhibit, Satan is free, or some crap like that. End of the world bull sh*t. The only way to stop the plan is to burn down the house, specifically the remaining exhibits. Back at the waxwork, the detective and his partner comes to the end of their lives.

Mark and Sarah return to the waxwork to carry out the "good work" and burn the place down to a crisp. Unfortunately, they are both pushed into different exhibits by David's evil henchmen. Inside his exhibit, a zombie exhibit, Mark learns that, "the figures can't hurt him if he doesn't believe in them". He escapes and enters Sarah's exhibit to save her.

The 18 Wax Exhibits:
1. Count Dracula
2. The Mummy
3. Frankenstein
4. A Witch
5. A werewolf - Gimli!
6. Jack the Ripper
7. The Marquis De Sade
8. Phantom of the Opera
9. A voodoo priest
10. A zombie
11. The Invisible Man
12. Mr. Hyde
13. A pod from the Invasion of the Body Snatchers
14. Demonic baby from It's Alive
15. An alien creature
16. The cobra man circus freak
17. An axe murder
18. A golem

You gotta love the 80's and it's cheesy imagination in story telling. Is Waxwork a scary horror movie? Maybe when I was eight, but now that I've gone back to watch it, I see it as a funny, cheesy horror movie. The characters, at least the "teens" in the movie are laughable. Come on', Zack G. portraying a high schooler? This is three years after Gremlins came out. All the other "teens" are the same way, ten years after their prime.

Kind of a joke, but the characters who weren't teenagers, they were pretty solid. They're all character actors which you've seen their faces some where, but couldn't put your finger on it. The main evil guy, David Warner (David L.) stole the show in my opinion. He's a classic eerie strange tall guy that was a good fit for the role. Warner didn't have too much to work with, but overall it panned out.

The second evil guy, The Marquis De Sade, reminded me of some dude who I've seen on plenty of late nite Skin-e-max shows. Bookie knows what guy I'm talking about. The guy who was the caveman guy from that one. Also played a male genie in another. I need to get out more.

The special effects on the film were pretty top notch for an 80's flick. They did a good job on using that blue waterdrop thing when people passed from the real world into the exhibit world. Outside of a couple of bad looking head popping scenes, the overall effects were good.

The wax figures didn't look all that too impressive though. Such a shame for a movie that is called Waxwork and that is the film bread and butter. The film used blood, and used it well. I didn't think there was a too over the top usage, and for the most part the blood looked real.

If you're expecting to see some TNA then move along. Outside a couple of hot chicks (Shark Factor) and a weird chained/whipping scene, there wasn't much there. No token twin shots. Boo!

The movie itself was more of a comedy, because it seemed like it didn't take itself seriously. Over the top goofiness, bad one liners, and random crap that just spelled out AWESOME. Waxwork is definitely a classic to check out. By today's standards of a horror movie, it just wouldn't cut it, but it's one of those head scratchers you just can't pass on. The chick below also starred another wax movie...the always lovely...Elisha Cuthbert (pictured below).


Misc. Movie Trivia:
-Film opened on June 17, 1988
-Missing photos at the beginning of the film are the same ones used as The Lost Tribe

Review #96: Saw 4 (2007)

Cast/Notable Credits:
Darren Lynn Bousman (Director): Saw 2, Saw 3
Tobin Bell (Jigsaw)

Shawnee Smith (Amanda)

Betsy Russell (Jill)

Costas Mandylor (Hoffman): Dr. Chopper (2005)

Scott Patterson (Agent Strahm): Gilmore Girls T.V. series

Athena Karkanis (Agent Perez): Saw 5

Justin Louis (Art): Dawn of the Dead, Saw 5

Simon Reynolds (Lamanna): Skulls 2 (2002), Cold Creek Manor (2003), Dark Water (2005), P2
Trailer:


Saw 1 Link

Saw 2 Link

Saw 3 Link

"I want to play game with you Mr. Director. For years now, you have reaped the benefits from making crappy Saw movies. There you wait, hiding behind the camera, directing bad movies and cashing in at the box office later. You take from the unknowingly and poor; only to benefit yourself. Now you've found yourself starring down the barrel of pissed off fans. Your choice: make a better Saw movie before next Halloween. If you don't: you directing career dies. You must choose..."

Plot:

While performing an autopsy on Jigsaw, a coroner finds a cassette tape encased in wax inside his stomach. Arriving to the scene is Detective Hoffman who plays the tape. The tape explains that he (Jigsaw) might be dead but his work will carry on.

The police finally find the dead body of Detective Kerry in a secluded basement. Also joining the investigation are two agents from the FBI, Perez and Strahm. Det. Hoffman, and SWAT leader Rigg are also present at the crime scene. Rigg is depressed and angry because all of his colleagues are turning up dead or missing. Detective Matthews (Saw 2) has still missing at this point. The FBI has been called in because Det. Kerry was one of their informants, and they believe that Jigsaw has another accomplice in his killings. They also believe that two other officers may be targets for his next game.

Obsessed with solving the puzzle, Officer Rigg has been dedicating his life to the Jigsaw case. Once he arrives home, he finds that his wife has packed her bags and is leaving for mother's house. She encourages him to come with, but he declines and opts to stay and work on the case. Bad move, because he becomes Jigsaw's latest pawn in his twisted game. Rigg is knocked out and awakes in a bath tub with the shower running. He slowly comes to a opens the bathroom door and triggers the famous instruction tape that tells him how he wants to save everyone, and has become his obsession, now he must learn to let go. Rigg is put through a series of tests that result in other's deaths. Meanwhile, back at headquarters the police believe that Rigg might be a suspect and arrive at his house to find him gone and a trail of Jigsaw traps and a death left behind.

Also, Det. Hoffman has been abducted and placed in his own trap. So the clock is ticking for Officer Rigg to find Det. Hoffman and Mathews before time runs out and they die. While Rigg plays Jigsaw's game, FBI agents are a step behind trying to catch him. Agent Perez, the beautiful Athena Karkanis pictured left.

After seeing Saw 3, my expectations for Saw 4 were down the tube. After all, Jigsaw and company had died. So how the hell was this gonna get pulled off? Throw in another accomplice, that's how. I give the movie credit for being a little bit better in its twist and thought process. On the other hand, the film lacked any plot and suspense. I guess when you've seen it all before in the other three movies.

Saw 4 also explores the past of Jigsaw. We learn that he was a renowned engineer married to a smokin' hot wife Jill (Betsy Russell...pictured left). Jill was a doctor who had opened a "help clinic" for the addicts of the world. Jill was pregnant with his child when one night a druggie robbed the clinic for drugs and accidentally smashed her pregnant belly killing the unborn. Jigsaw became vengeful and dark and started his ways. And then got diagnosed with cancer, survived a car wreck, and all other story lines that has been presented.

And on a personal note: F*CK YOU! executive producer, Peter Block. Throw some more salt on my wounds. While listening to the commentary feature on the DVD during the tractor-collar-pull, he made a painful reference. He commented that the blind guy in the fight was a no win situation. It was just as unfair and lopsided as the Red Sox beating the Rockies in the World Series. F*CK YOU! I was at the W.S. Game 3. I love the Rockies...once again...F*CK YOU! & SUCK MY C*CK!

Notable Traps:

-The Hair-tie trap: Brenda is strapped in a chair with her long hair caught in a vice that slowly turns and tightens causing her head to yank back slowly and eventually tearing the scalp.

-The Ice/Electrocution: Det. Mathews is hanging from the ceiling with only a block of ice to stand on. The ice slowly melts and the water runs down to his left into a pan where Det. Hoffman sits strapped in a chair. The trap is set like a scale, once the ice melts and water runs off Det. Mathews side lowers and Det. Hoffman side rises. Once there is enough water on Hoffman's side, a wire hooked up to a High Voltage electrical panel triggers thus shocking Hoffman to death. Also connected to this trap is that when the door opens to the room, a wire trips up two massive blocks of ice that would fall and smash Det. Mathew's head.

-Spike trap: a couple are bound together back to back. Long rail road spikes lodged close to the major arteries of the couples. The object is for the female to pull out the spikes, saving herself, but killing her abusive husband.

-Knife helmet: I think it's Jigsaw's first trap. A drug addict, Cecil is bound to a chair with spikes through various parts. A mask of knives on his placed on his head. His object is to lean forward through the knives which would cut his face, but spring him free. Otherwise bleed to death.

-Bed trap: A rapist is tied spread eagle to a bed. His choice, let hammers bash his eyes or let a device rip him apart limb by limb.

-Tractor collar pull: Two guys have chain collars around their neck. One guy has his eyes sewed shut, and the other has his mouth sewed shut. Once the device is tripped, a wheel slowly pulls the chain and each guy toward it's jaws of death. Around the room are weapons and on the back of each man's neck is the key to unlock the collar.

I'm really torn on where to put this one on my list. It's better than Saw 3, but still sucky enough to be pissed off at. Again, the pitfall of fast tracking the movie. I think if a little bit more time was put into the film, it probably would have paid off. The beginning is great, the end of the film is a little confusing, but overall good. And the middle falls under the category: "been there, done that".

"Game Over, Mr. Director. You lose."

Misc. Movie Trivia:
-Film opened on October 26, 2007 and made $63.2 million at the Box Office ($31.7 million opening weekend)
-Sent to theaters as "Angel Fish"
-Beginning of the film was actually shot during Saw 3 and was intended to be the final scene of that movie, but opted to be the beginning of Saw 4
-Filmed in 32 days

Review #95: Saw 3 (2006)

Cast/Notable Credits:
Darren Bousman (Director): Saw 2, Saw 4

Previous Saw Movies:

Tobin Bell (Jigsaw)
Shawnee Smith (Amanda)
Lyrig Bent (Rigg)
Dina Meyer (Kelly)
Donnie Wahlberg (Det. Matthews)

Angus McFayden (Jeff): Impulse (2008)

Bahar Soomekh (Lynn): Crash (2004), Mission Impossible 3 (2006)

Betsy Russell (Jill): Cheerleader Camp (1987)

Barry Flatman (Judge Halden): The Paper Boy (1994), Cruel Intentions (2000)

Trailer:


Saw 1 Link

Saw 2 Link


Plot:

Jigsaw's back and the movie picks up right after the ending of the second movie. Det. Matthews has gone missing and Det. Kerry has been searching for him. The police come across another Jigsaw crime scene only to find that the victim is not Det. Matthews. While studying the crime scene, Det. Kerry realizes the M.O. on Jigsaw has changed a little bit. This puzzles her a lot. They find an instruction tape and later on that night while she is studying the tape, Kerry is abducted and placed into her own game of survival by Jigsaw and his new apprentice.

Now the duo has abducted a doctor to help keep Jigsaw alive as his cancer illness has become more fatal. Dr. Lynn's objective in her game is to keep Jigsaw alive until the end of another game involving a man named Jeff has ended. An explosive collar has been placed around Lynn's neck while she tends to the ill-fated Jigsaw. If she wonders off or Jigsaw's heart monitor fails, the collar will detonate and her head...goes bye bye.

The second abductee, Jeff, awakes in a wooden crate and has been put to the test for his life and others. Years ago, Jeff's young son was killed in a hit and run car accident. After the man who killed his son has been "let off easy" by the justice system, Jeff has been plagued with revenge and bitterness. Now Jigsaw has captured three key participants in the death of his son and places their lives in Jeff's hands. A woman who had witnessed his death, the judge over the case, and finally, the man behind the wheel, lives all rests in the decisions and sacrifices that Jeff may or may not choose to make.

Surprisingly enough for me, this film was fast-tracked for the next Halloween after part 2. Hey, I'm all for sequels and continuing horror franchises, but I was a little weary to see the quick slap it, tag it, and sell it approach. Maybe if they are gonna make these films this quick, they should probably have a couple of the movie scripts already written, and film some of these at once. Or just put the time and effort into doing the film right. Not that this film is completely horrible, but each of the sequels tends to lower the bar a little more each time. Dr. Hottie, Bahar Soomekh pictured right.

The storyline of the movie was a little "watered down". Some of the twists were easy to predict, and in order for half the sh*t to work, you have to bank on certain things happening. It's like Jigsaw jumped into the future and saw what would happen. Again, common sense in the film prevents over half the deaths.

I give the film credit for the one thing the franchise does well, the traps. At least the cool ones. The traps continue to be the staple in the franchise. Choose sacrifice or death. Unfortunately I think they focus on one or two of them really well, and the rest of the film suffers from lack of focus (or development). Clearly the film makers focused on two good traps, The Rack or "Twisty Tim" and the Ribcage Trap. I know all the traps in the movie can't be grade "A", but these two definitely make the grade. Time was well spent on the design, and operation of the traps. Good Job!

The other traps, I considered a little weak. Don't get me wrong, they were mostly still good, but they're a little unimaginative. The Freezer Room was...blah. I liked the naked chick with hooters, but spraying water on her until she froze to death...YAWN! Boring. The Pig Vat trap, dumb. It had a guy strapped down by the neck at the bottom of a large industrial sized barrel. Grinders cut up dead pigs and their waste went down the chute to the barrel, slowly filling it up with waste thus drowning the guy. That's just gross, not eventful. The Classroom Trap, I thought was one of the worst. Hooking chains to various body parts, and let the victim rip them off before a bomb goes off. Double yawn! Eerie, but boring.

Overall, the film is okay. The Saw franchise is getting a little repetitive in ideas. Stop with the twists already. We all know somethings coming. How 'bout just go out and kill people like a good horror movie does? My suggestion for the series is to take a Halloween off and spent some extra time working on another kick a** script like the first movie.

Misc. Movie Trivia:
-Film opened on October 27, 2006 and made $80.1 million at the Box Office ($33.6 million opening weekend)
-Sent to MPAA ratings board 7 times before receiving a "R" ratings
-1st Saw movie to include nudity