November Edition 2004
 
 
 
 

 

Cert: 15
Starring: Jude Law, Nia Long, Sienna Rose Miller, Susan Sarandon, Marisa Tomei, Omar Epps
Directed by: Charles Shyer
Running Time: 105 minutes

RATING: 2.5 / 5

Whilst no doubt being one of the year’s most unpleasant cinema-going experiences, Saw also manages to be one of the most intriguing. The story’s simple, yet at the same time absorbing: two hapless men who find themselves chained to a subterranean bathroom learn that one must kill the other by 6pm.
The film itself, interestingly, is shot entirely in real time. As we are presented to a selection of inventive deaths (for example, a naked man must scramble through flesh-cutting wires, or as an alternative be buried alive), it is clear that the killer, the mastermind of the cruel games acted out within the film, is teaching his victims a thing or two about not taking life for granted. Whilst this moralistic lesson may be a little too mainstream Hollywood for my liking, there’s no doubting the film’s dark, creepy execution, or indeed debut director James Wang’s talent for suspense.
These days, sadly, the Horror genre is usually very formulaic and by-the-numbers. But every once in a while, and usually when we least expect it, a treat slips through the net of clichés, offering a new spin on the concept of terror. And whilst by no means a classic, Saw is definitely included amongst this prestige elite.

 
 

 

Cert: 18
Starring: Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell, Danny Glover, Monica Potter
Directed by: James Wan (Debut)
Time: 102 minutes

RATING: 4 / 5

Whilst no doubt being one of the year’s most unpleasant cinema-going experiences, Saw also manages to be one of the most intriguing. The story’s simple, yet at the same time absorbing: two hapless men who find themselves chained to a subterranean bathroom learn that one must kill the other by 6pm.
The film itself, interestingly, is shot entirely in real time. As we are presented to a selection of inventive deaths (for example, a naked man must scramble through flesh-cutting wires, or as an alternative be buried alive), it is clear that the killer, the mastermind of the cruel games acted out within the film, is teaching his victims a thing or two about not taking life for granted. Whilst this moralistic lesson may be a little too mainstream Hollywood for my liking, there’s no doubting the film’s dark, creepy execution, or indeed debut director James Wang’s talent for suspense.
These days, sadly, the Horror genre is usually very formulaic and by-the-numbers. But every once in a while, and usually when we least expect it, a treat slips through the net of clichés, offering a new spin on the concept of terror. And whilst by no means a classic, Saw is definitely included amongst this prestige elite.