Saw V
Unrated Director’s Cut
Directed by David Hackl
Starring Tobin Bell, Betsy Russell, Julie Benz, Scott Patterson, Costas Mandylor
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Release Date: January 20, 2009

I’ve never been a big fan of the Saw series. After the first two (and the sequel is better than it has any right to be) I tuned out to the phenomenon even though as a horror fan I couldn’t escape it. Ever since 2004 there has been a Saw sequel released every year right around Halloween and the series’ devious mastermind Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) has been elevated to the status of an iconic fright flick maniac. While I may not be his biggest fan, I can certainly understand his enduring appeal. For a generation raised on gruesome tales of masked madmen stalking dumb, nubile teens to their brutal deaths the Saw franchise, initiated in 2004 by writer Leigh Whannell and co-writer/director James Wan, is like a bit of fresh air. I’d hate to admit it but these films are at their best slasher flicks with a brain and a deranged imagination. The tagline for Saw II was “Oh yes, there will be blood” and as Saw V clearly proves, brother you don’t know the half of it.