Saw mini review

Saw (Exclusive Series)

Initial release date: October 29, 2004

Tagline: Live or die. Make your choice.

Let the games begin!

Plot: Photographer Adam and oncologist Lawrence Godron regain consciousness while chained to pipes at either end of a deserted bathroom. As the two men realize they’ve been trapped by a sadistic serial killer nicknamed “Jigsaw '' and must complete his perverse puzzle to live, flashbacks relate the fates of his previous victims. Meanwhile, Dr. Gordon’s life and young daughter are forced to watch his torture vis closed-circuit video.

Cast

Leigh Whannell (Insidious: The Last Key) - Adam

Cary Elwes (The Unholy) - Lawrence Gordon

Danny Glover (Jumanji: The Next Level) - Detective Tapp

Ken Leung (The Force Awakens) - Detective Sing

Dina Meyer Kerry

Mike Butters (Saw V) - Paul

Paul Gutrecht - Mark

Michael Everson (CBSs Evil) - Zep Hindle

Benito Martinez (Queen & Slim) - Brett

Shawnee Smith - Amanda

Mackenzie Vega - Diana Gordon

Monica Potter (The Last House on the Left) - Allison

Tobin Bell - John Kramer/Jigsaw

Writer: Leigh Whannell (The Invisible Man)

Director: James Wan (Aquaman; The Conjuring 2; Furious 7)

Rated R for strong grisly violence and language (103 min)

With the big screen return of the ‘Saw’ franchise, I will be doing mini reviews for the horror movie franchise - obviously starting with the 2004 original ‘Saw.’

The 2004 movie ‘Saw’ is a bizarre and tense horror/thriller that can still send chills down your spine no matter how many times you have seen it. This clever thriller is extremely tense and is more psychological and kinda gory at some moments (unlike the others where the gore is practically everywhere).

Even though the other ‘Saw’ movies can be alright at best, none of them can beat the 2004 original. There is a great deal of suspense and twists and turns during the movie.

And, of course, the awesome twist at the end! Sure, there are a couple decent twists throughout the franchise. But, none of them can beat the original movie’s twist.

‘Saw’ is available if you have subscriptions for Hulu, Amazon Prime or HBO Max. Also available to rent via YouTube, Apple TV, Vudu and Google Play.

Here are some interesting tidbits about ‘Saw’: (some may have spoilers)

• In order to make the actors feel what the characters were going through, all of the bathroom scenes were shot in chronological order.

• The entire movie was filmed in 18 days.

• ‘Saw II’ was approved for production the weekend the 2004 movie opened.

• Director James Wan didn’t intend to make what was later referred to as a torture pron movie. It wasn’t until the sequels that the movies got what he describes as “more explicitly nasty.”

• The movie’s pre-production was only 5 days. It was shot and cut at the same time in 18 days (all of the bathroom scenes were shot in 6). The actors had absolutely no rehearsals. The rehearsal takes were actual footage for the movie.

• According to the BBC, this is one of the most profitable horror movies of all time.

• Wan wanted the camera movements to reflect the two main characters' emotions and personality. He filmed Gordon with steady controlled shots and Adam as handheld style shots to capture their emotions of the situation.

• Originally intended for a straight to DVD release. After positive screenings, it was given the nod to become a theatrical release.

• Danny Glover completed all of his scenes in two days.

• The MPAA originally rated the movie NC-17, due to the movie’s tone. Wan had to remove some content to secure an R rating.

• Sundance showed the NC-17 uncut version of this movie. The actual theatrical R-rated version was cut and more finished, and the sounds and colors were even.

• Principal photography was done in a converted warehouse. The bathroom set was built, while the other locations were existing rooms undressed.

• Tobin Bell (Jigsaw) lied faced down for all of the scenes set in the bathroom, no dummy was used.

• The identity of the Jigsaw Killer is revealed early in the movie, during a flashback. When Zep says, “He’s a very interesting person,” on John’s hospital bedside table in front of him is a diagram of “The Reverse Bear Trap.”

• The first movie had a shooting budget of only $700,000.

• Lionsgate picked up the worldwide distribution rights at the Sundance Film Festival days before the film premiered on January 19, 2004. There it played to a packed theater for 3 nights to a very positive reaction.

• Opened at No. 3 on Halloween weekend 2004 in 2,315 theaters and grossed $18.2 million, behind ‘Ray’ and ‘The Grudge.’ ‘Saw’ had also become the studio's 2nd best opening, after 'Fahrenheit 9/11.'