Without giving anything away, it's enough to say that the creepy element in Saw isn't a serial killer as much as a serial killer who could be any of us, anyone in the movie. The impact of what the killer does is overshadowed by the fact that he doesn't leave any hint of himself behind at the scene. The scene of the crime is the crime in Saw. Instead of killing victims outright, the so-called "Jigsaw" psycho finds ways for them to die by their own actions. The rough equivalent of suicide, and the moral equivalent of letting those with questionable lifestyles end their miserable existence rather than continue to drain society. The alternative to a messy end is to fight the trap sprung on them by Jigsaw and live.
Cary Elwes and Danny Glover, on loan from Princess Bride and Lethal Weapon and both looking like they'd rather be back in their mainstream roles, are the only real star power in Saw. Elwes comes off very wooden and unbelievable as a doctor picked for Jigsaw's latest grand guignol, and Glover plays...wait for it...a cop with a grudge! There is plenty of excitement in the filming and pacing of Saw, and the music and soundtrack fit in perfectly. The real victims outside the charnel house atmosphere set by director James Wan are the writing and casting. What works, even through some jittery performances and blockhead dialogue, is the atmosphere of tension created by watching people in horrible situations with horrible options for life and (mostly) death battle it out. Jigsaw likes to pick those with checkered pasts or presents and so the subtext of whether these devious traps are really just taking out human trash is always present. What you'll really respond to is the smart, vivid, fast-paced filming and camera work coupled with very creative puzzle elements that wouldn't be out of place in an episode of Twilight Zone or some Hitchcock short. Princess Bride fans, stay very far away...
If you can handle some blood and gore, you may be pleasantly surprised at the many smart and suspenseful facets of Saw. Compared to the usual crop of slasher flicks, offering nothing more than this year's fresh teen face and/or cleavage, Saw deserves a Pulitzer Prize. Don't expect the Oscar nomination anytime soon, but Saw makes for a great popcorn diversion on a dark and stormy night at home.
