Spiral: From the Book of Saw



Plot Synopsis: 

Detective Zeke Banks has to find a serial killer targeting corrupt cops, especially because he is using the modus operandi of the Jigsaw killer. 

Positives: 

The first thing I really liked about this movie is that the traps feel incredibly painful. They aren't nearly as cartoony as some of the traps in the previous movies has sometimes felt (especially in Saw 3D). I also feel the killer has a pretty understandable motive for why he's doing what he's doing. I also find it kind of surreal to have Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson in a Saw movie. The two don't share a lot of screen-time together. When they do, however, their chemistry is solid. There is a bit more humor in this movie compared to the rest of the Saw franchise, and it mostly works for me. You can also notice that this movie has a little bit bigger budget in comparison to some of the previous films in the Saw franchise. This movie also brings back Darren Lynn Bousman who directed the second, third, and fourth movies. For me, his return to the director's chair was actually pretty welcomed.  

Mixed Aspects: 

This is a movie that deals a lot with police corruption. If you're worried about this movie having some sort of political message, or that it's a response to the recent protests. Just know, this movie was filmed and planned for release well over a year ago, before a lot of that got really bad. If anything, it's just coincidence. This is also the first movie in the series that does not feature Tobin Bell in any way. Based on that knowledge, I think your mileage will vary with this movie. While I did kind of miss him, I don't think his absence really detracted from the movie for me either. I am mentioning it here because I think it's something that's important for Saw fans to know going in. I should also mention here that Samuel L. Jackson really isn't in this movie very much either, More than anything, he just sort of pops up every once in a while. His character does play an important part to the story, he himself just is not in this all that much.  

Negatives: 

The main thing that sticks out as negative for me is the twist ending. It isn't awful or anything like that. But, you kind of see it coming early on. They do try to throw you off, but it's not really done in an especially clever way. 

Final Thoughts: 

For me, this was a decent enough Saw movie. I like the attempt to take things in a little bit different direction. I like the idea of a copycat as opposed to the reveal of another apprentice, a big reason why the lack of Tobin Bell didn't really bother me. This is a case where, if they decide to keep exploring this storyline, I wouldn't mind seeing where it goes. 

🩸🩸🩸 

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