Jigsaw (Saw VIII) Review: John Kramer Would Be Rolling Over In His Grave

I finally got around to watching the latest "Saw" movie. "Jigsaw" premiered in 2017. The seven movies before it were released on Halloween of successive years beginning in 2004. See my reviews here

While I enjoyed many aspects of the other films (and even watched them again all in one sitting), I'm not sure what the point of making "Jigsaw" was. Sure the studio can make a quick buck since these shows are dirt cheap to make. I just wish they had spent some time on writing a good story.

There's nothing new about this movie. "Jigsaw" is the same old bag of tricks. It follows the now very familiar format. Jigsaw wants to play a game. Several morally bankrupt people wake up in one of his traps. They must confess their sins in order to escape. Jigsaw wants to teach each to appreciate life. Who are we kidding though? Most people die anyway regardless of what they say or do. I never bought Kramer as some sort of purveyor of life lessons.

Sadly, the traps in "Jigsaw' arent very entertaining. Yes one involves five people but all the mechanisms are pedestrian compared to their predecessors. See all 81 death traps of the franchise ranked from worst to best here My favorite remains the reverse bear trap. Horrifying!

Next is the big secret as to who the killer actually is. John Kramer (Tobin Bell) has been dead (supposedly) since "Saw III". We typically see him in extensive flashbacks and this movie is no exception Let us recall the various secret apprentices who were, for some reason, stupid enough to work for John. They include; Amanda Young (Shawnee Smith), Dr Lawrence Gordon, short lived Zep Hindle, detective Mark Hoffman and John's wife Jill. And the list keeps on growing.

Billy The Puppet makes an appearance. He continues to be one of the best parts of the series. Check him out in "Working With Jigsaw" here and "Living With Jigsaw" here. If they make a movie out of this I am SO in!

Alas the big series finale I was hoping for with "Jigsaw" did not materialize. I can't help but think John Kramer would be rolling over in his grave if he saw this sub par offering. GAME OVER!

Grade: 3 Monsters (out of 5). Unfortunately "Jigsaw" turns out to be a real snoozefest. This installment really doesnt add anything new or exciting to the franchise. Take my advice and skip it. Watch "Saw I" (which remains my favorite) or "Saw II" (which took the franchise in a whole new torture porn direction). Let's pretend "Saw 3D" is the final installment in the series.