SAW III
2006 | Dir. Darren Lynn Bousman | 109 Minutes
"Suffering? You haven't seen anything yet."
On his deathbed, Jigsaw holds a lethargic surgeon captive to prolong his life for one more night while his helpless apprentice Amanda's mental state deteriorates. Meanwhile, a depressed father mourning the loss of his son in a hit-and-run is forced by Jigsaw to confront the people who deprived him of the justice his craves and to question his thirst for vengeance.
Written by original Saw co-writer Leigh Whannell with a story assist from Saw co-creator James Wan with Saw II helmer Darren Lynn Bousman returning to the director's chair, Saw III plays like a love letter to fans of the first two films. The gratuitous fan service is most evident in the numerous flashbacks depicting Jigsaw and his secret apprentice Amanda, building upon the biggest revelation at the climax of Saw II, setting up traps featured in previous installments of the series. Arguably, beyond the function of delighting devotees with fun callbacks, these scenes serviceably illustrate Jigsaw and Amanda's unconventional, surprisingly affecting bond. This sequel also manages to deliver some of the most creative and varied traps yet, from the imaginative freezer room to the disgusting pig vat to the exceedingly cruel rack, easily topping the majority of the set pieces that came before in intensity and originality. Notably, the gore extends beyond Jigsaw's traps this time, as the filmmakers subject the audience to graphic open skull brain surgery that the surgeon Lynn reluctantly performs on the ailing Jigsaw. The multiple twist endings, though less shocking than previous ones, hammer home Jigsaw's distorted worldview that is ostensibly humanist, pleading to Lynn, Jeff, and Amanda to cherish their lives and the lives of others, to be more empathetic people. Naturally, Jeff and Amanda fail in spectacular fashion.
Looking much more polished than Saw and Saw II, production designer David Hackl and editor Kevin Greutert are at the top of their respective games. On the technical level, Saw III improves upon the gritty aesthetic of the series while also seamlessly recreating the look and feel of past entries to fill in new facets of an overarching narrative. It's apparent how much love the filmmakers put into this one considering the level of detail to maintain series continuity. Charlie Clouser's third Saw score utilizes the main theme in more variations than before, particularly gratifying to hear during the Jigsaw and Amanda flashback scenes.
Though most of his performance is on a medical bed, Tobin Bell is all around excellent as Jigsaw, continuing to make even some of the mastermind's more inane musings sound compelling. In her third series appearance, Shawnee Smith establishes Amanda as the manic and tragic misguided heart of this trilogy, delivering an engaging passionate performance. As the emotionally distant surgeon Lynn, Bahar Soomekh does a fine job of supplementing the complicated dynamic between Bell's Jigsaw and Smith's Amanda. On the flip side, perhaps at least partially due to how the character was written, Angus Macfadyen comes off as extraordinarily dull in the role of the vengeful Jeff. Debra Lynne McCabe, Barry Flatman, and Mpho Koaho portraying the victims in the traps that Jeff encounters give far more gripping performances than Macfadyen despite their limited screen time. Donnie Wahlberg and Leigh Whannell briefly return in scenes that elaborate on their characters' respective fates. The supporting cast also features Dina Meyer returning as Kerry who meets a grisly end, Lyriq Bent returning as Rigg, and J. Larose as the victim of the opening trap Troy.
There is a sick irony to Jigsaw utilizing excessively violent methods to promote empathy, but that's what makes the Saw series so enticing to gorehounds, and Saw III is the ultimate expression of this premise. With more thrilling traps and a story that serves to elevate the first two pictures, this third installment is among the best horror sequels. Saw III offers an overabundance of practically everything fans of these gruesome films could want.
BEST TRAP
Though it was set up to be unwinnable, the ribcage-splaying angel trap is particularly nasty in practice and visually the most interesting trap, a stand-out even in this entry with some of the best Saw traps yet. It's extra upsetting that Kerry managed to retrieve the key from the jar of acid for nothing.
FRAGMENTS
- The film is dedicated to Twisted Pictures producer Gregg Hoffman who passed away unexpectedly shortly after the release of Saw II -- Wan, Whannel, and Bousman were reluctant to return to make another sequel but ultimately made this third installment in honor of Hoffman -- he is also the namesake of Costas Mandylor's shady-looking cop character who is a central player in subsequent installments
- To date, Saw III is the most financially successful entry of the series worldwide
- I have to hand it to Detective Matthews for finding an alternative to severing his foot to escape the Saw bathroom
- J. Larose would go on to appear in various James Wan and Darren Lynn Bousman films
- During his brain surgery induced flashback, Jigsaw saying "I love you" to the blink-and-you'll-miss-her Jill played by Betsy Russell in Tobin Bell's hilariously gravelly voice never fails to make me laugh -- weirdly, creepy Obi from Saw II appears walking in the park during this quick flashback
SUPPLEMENTAL STUFF
