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 Saw
VI (Theatrical - 2009)
Lionsgate / 2009
Directed by Kevin Greutert
Written by Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton
Cast: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Betsy Russell, Shawnee
Smith, Mark Rolston
Review by Jude Felton
The tagline for this latest installment in the horror
juggernaut that is the Saw franchise is "His disease is
spreading", and it is wonderfully apt. Aside from being a
astoundly inventive creator of severely painful traps John
Kramer (Tobin Bell) was suffering from terminal cancer, so
it only seems right that the series should touch on the
healthcare system. After all, wouldn't his medical bills be
astronomical?
The healthcare company in question is run by a ruthless son
of a bitch who will do all he can to avoid paying out
anything to his customers. As you can imagine this does not
sit well with the self righteous Kramer. So, in this latest
game, Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) sets the wheels in
motion on a new set of traps intent on showing that the
healthcare company the real meaning of life, and those that
have the power to give or take it.
Alongside this main thread of the plot we also follow the
FBI's continuing investigation into the Jigsaw murders.
Although they believe that Agent Straum was responsible in
helping Kramer, they still aren't totally convinced. So,
along with running the new game, Hoffman has to keep an eye
on this new investigation so as to not get caught himself.
On top of all this we get more background between Kramer,
Hoffman and the returning Amanda (Shawnee Smith), as well as
revealing the true involvement of Kramer's ex-wife Jill. And
yes, the contents of the box from Saw V are revealed here.
Saw VI is a far more coherent addition to the series than
some of the previous movies, and believe it or not actually
serves to enhance all that has gone before. The flashbacks,
and yes there are a few, don't seem forced which make Tobin
Bell's inclusion vital rather than cheap.
As you might expect there are plenty of traps, or games if
you will, some more gruesome than others, but all equally as
effective as each other. My only real gripe being the fact
that constructing and setting them all up would be a
complete bloody logistical nightmare, as some of them would
involve some serious engineering. Ah well, let's just roll
with it shall we?
Visually this flick definitely has the feel of a Saw movie,
yet it manages to keep its own identity thanks to newcomer
Greutert's solid direction. As for the writing, it seems
that Dunstan and Melton found more of a groove to this one
after part 5. Although Saw V and VI were written back to
back it seemed to me that they were building to this one,
whilst still managing to leave it open for the inevitable
seventh movie.
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