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The Australian filmmakers - formerly RMIT media students, who subsequently
sold their script to Lions Gate, and almost overnight were
flown out to La La land to write, direct and star in their
self-confessed "baby" - are perceptibly fervent
about films, the horror genre in particular, and it's shown
in every frame of the film. (Click here for an interview with
the Australian pair.)
From the hurried pace to the imaginative visuals, it's a
genre effort that mightn't be strong on new-fangled ideas,
but is certainly being captained by two guys who've an understanding
of what works and what doesn't when it comes to scare-fests.
In other words, they know when to press the buttons - but
can't offer much explanation as for why the button needs pressing
at any particular time.
Two men (Cary Elwes and co-writer Leigh Whannell) wake up
in a windowless bathroom, shackled at opposite ends of the
room. A tape-recorded voice tells that them one of them will
have to kill the other in the next eight hours, or they'll
both die.
There's just one snag: the only way to get out of their manacles
is to use a hacksaw on their ankles...
Whilst one has to give the boys credit for such a slick debut,
one should also offer a bit of passing advice: script doctor.
As in, they needed to invest in one. This baby's plot has
more holes in it than James Caan's carcass did in The Godfather
II.
Fluffing several details of the storyline and, in turn, making
a lot of what the characters motivations are seemingly implausible,
is a mistake that many horror buffs probably won't be able
to overlook. On the other hand, those who aren't as stringent
a fan of the genre, and are only after a quick unfussy scare,
should definitely find enough here to keep them awake at night.
While a good seventy minutes of Saw swims in the 'been there
done that' pool, the guys do take a dip in setting up something
nifty for a spell there at the start.
DVD Extras
Considering the money it made, you’d think the accountant
could’ve added a couple more zeroes to the end of the
budget for the special features component of “Saw”;
it’s as limp as a three-legged Kelpie.
The making-of is an absolute joke – it runs for a couple
of minutes and offers about as much insight into the production
as a wrestler sips tea. In addition, there’s a music
video, the making-of that video, and some trailers and TV
spots.
The only worthwhile extra is the audio commentary by the
creators. It’s both insightful and entertaining. Funnily
enough, I know the guys wanted to try and do some more tracks
– with cast and crew – and include a swag more extras,
so you’ve got to wonder who hogged the soup ladle on
this one.
Hopefully James Wan and Leigh Whannell will take a pitchfork
to the studio and demand a super-duper edition down the track.
Conclusion: Movie 70% Extras 20%
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