Saw III (Exclusive Mini Review Series)

Saw III (Exclusive Series)

Initial release date: October 26, 2006

Studios: Lionsgate Twisted Pictures

Tagline: Sometimes Rules Are Meant To Be Broken

Plot: Dr. Lynn Denlon becomes a pawn in the Jigsaw killer’s latest gory game. Kidnapped and taken to an abandoned warehouse, she finds Jigsaw bedridden and dying. Her task is to keep him alive long enough for Jeff, a fellow victim to complete his own task. Each is unaware that Jigsaw has much bigger - and deadlier - plans in store.

Cast

Tobin Bell - Jigsaw/John Kramer

Shawnee Smith - Amanda Young

Angus Macfayden - Jeff

Bahar Soomekh - Lynn Denlon

Donnie Wahlberg - Eric Matthews

Dina Meyer - Kerry

Mpho Koaho - Tim

Barry Flatman - Judge Halden

Lyriq Bent - Rigg

J. LaRose - Troy

Debra McCabe - Danica

Costas Mandylor - Forensic Hoffman

Writer: Leigh Whannell (The Invisible Man)

Director: Darren Lynn Bousman (Spiral)

Rated R for strong grisly violence and gore, sequences of terror and torture, nudity and language (108 min)

The ‘Saw’ series goes on with the third entry of the franchise, 2006s ‘Saw III.’ The filmmakers really kick the blood and gore up a gear or two with the gruesome traps they came up with for this entry.

The plot of this one is fairly simple and not over crowded with subplots. The third movie features some flashbacks that involve Jigsaw and him setting up a couple of the earlier traps - one of them includes the Bathroom Trap that took place in the first movie.

The stand-out sequence in this horror movie is definitely the surgery scene. The traps are also quite memorable and really cringe-worthy - especially the one that’s called The Rack Trap, where the guy’s arm, feet and head get twisted around.

The ending of this one is also very, very twisted and is probably one of the better endings of any of the sequels.

Here are some interesting tidbits about ‘Saw III’:

• The producers asked the producers of ‘Scary Movie 4’ if they could use their bathroom set for the movie as it was an exact replica of the sets used in ‘Saw’ and ‘Saw II.’

• The movie’s most graphic scene - Jigsaw’s brain surgery - remained completely uncut by the MPAA. The filmmakers argued that it was no different from what people would see in any medical documentary or TV.

• As with the previous movies, only a couple of actors who appeared in the final scene were given the complete script.

• Screenwriter Leigh Whannell was physically sick from watching some of the scenes that were shot.

• Initially writer Leigh Whannell and director Darren Lynn Bousman turned down the opportunity to work on ‘Saw III.’ It was only during lunch with the original ‘Saw’ director James Wan following the death of ‘Saw’ producer Gregg Hoffman, that they decided they should make the movie mainly as a dedication to Hoffman.

• ‘Saw III’ opened at No. 1 at 4700 screens at 3,167 theaters grossing $33.6 million from its opening weekend, a 2% increase from the previous sequel $31.7 million. It held the biggest Halloween weekend debut for five years until it was beaten by ‘Puss in Boots’ (34 million).