Saturday, October 13, 2007

Saw 5? When will the pain stop?

How many Saw movies will Lionsgate produce before they let the pain stop? Or, a better question, how many Saw movies will they make before they shift the franchise to direct-to-DVD and I can stop writing about them?

No, I'm not talking about Saw IV, which comes out this October. I'm talking about Saw V (Saw 5 for you Roman numeral illiterates) that is now scheduled to be released in October 2008. Saw IV production designer David Hackl has been tapped to direct the next installment based on a screenplay by Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton.

None of the Saw movies have been especially good, and it's amazing they still get as much traction as they do. At what point in time will audiences give up on the Saw movies to abandon them in theaters altogether, forcing Lionsgate to turn to direct-to-DVD releases? I'm sure the theatrical releases are just a promotions for the DVD releases, but audiences are still giving Lionsgate its Saw budgets back in theaters on opening weekend.

Why do this to yourselves, people? The Saw franchise is one of the lamest long-running horror franchises to come along, so just stop going.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

hey bud i dont know who the hell you think you are but the saw franchise has built up from nothing and are very good. they may not be as good as the first one, but the games continue and different ways to kill is always something creative to see in a persons eye. Maybe you shouldnt even be a writer to comment anything if your not willing to make an effort.

Erik Samdahl said...

Sadly, the first one was the worst of all the Saw movies thus far. It's not that the concept was bad - it's just that the acting, writing and directing all are incredibly inane. So building upon a God-awful first movie isn't the way to go.

Anonymous said...

hey it dosent matter that the first movie was bad the idea was great and the point was to get it off the ground to get the idea off the ground and have the audience asking for more and wanting more and the movie has sucessfully accompished that and thats all that really matters , the saw series is a refreshing new franchise and gives new meaning to horror films at this point in time there are no good horror thirllers except for the saw series

Erik Samdahl said...

I'd have to disagree. I don't mind tons of gore, but I don't see the Saw movies as being good horror thrillers. They aren't scary, and are pretty much there just to show people get torn apart in random ways. The not-scary part is where I have a problem, though.

In recent years, I would recommend these ones for Saw: 28 Weeks Later, The Descent, Halloween (yes, the remake), Vacancy, 1408 (though this is the complete opposite from the Saw movies), the Grindhouse movies... and that's just in 2007.

What did you think about Wolf Creek? That was exciting, realistic, well done and gory.

Anonymous said...

The first Saw movie was a particularly weak film that cashed-in on an emerging horror generation's need for "clever" horror. Unfortunately, it was an illogical, forced, poorly-made, disingenuous mess. I'm not surprised that they've spawned a pile of sequels since sequels rely upon a simple, set formula. The basis for franchises is rarely a quality film... the basis for franchises is an easily-repeated paint-by-numbers arrangement. Saw is reducing horror to its lowest-common-denominator and these movies need to die, like, yesterday.

Anonymous said...

I can only hope that they stop this kidnap torture garbage, but sadly most of America loves that sick stuff. It's hard to understand why someone would even defend the idea of kidnapping people because they don't like the way other people live their lives, then torturing them, making them kill themselves, or kill other people.
That goes way beyond teaching people a lesson, which I thought was supposed to be the idea behind it.
It turned into a guy with schizophrenic like issues, and became pointless.
America loves watching people die, so the idea will keep making money. Crazy people love watching other crazy people on TV be psycho.
Keep up the good work society.

Anonymous said...

Hey Bastard get off your lazy ass and go see a therapist!!! The saw movies are all great!!! In Fact I'm Watching Saw 4 as i write this down The 1st person writing was making a great point when he said that you should try to make an effort to be a writer to comment anything!!! Although i dissagree that any are better than the next. And all i have left to write is that you need help you fucking bastard because the saw series is one of the best scary movie series in the history of horror movie series!!!!

bond64 said...

The SAW series is just another speed bump along the identity-lacking highway of this new trailer trash movie-going generation, which includes the EPIC MOVIE series and pretty much anything by Paris Hilton. If it has mindless violence & gore, tits & tires, or dick & fart jokes, these Jerry Springer hopefuls will pay for it in full. How did "anonymous" put it...? Oh yes, "Maybe you shouldnt even be a writer to comment anything if your not willing to make an effort." Wow. It's like Shakespeare with down syndrome. Go home and play with your dolls little man, let the adults who can use the big boy words talk from now on.

Anonymous said...

Maybe we're watching different movies because SAW is the best horror movie series in years!!! Serious adrenaline build up with every new movie. Story line is great and I hope in 10 years we're still watching! I think you're an idiot and personally you need to stop writing about something that you evidently don't enjoy. Why do you continue to watch them if you dislike them so much?

Anonymous said...

Hey every one, we all know that in real time kidnapping, torture and killing is appauling and whoever does it should be hung but come on it's the movies and to each thier own on this one. My kids...16 & 11 and I love the Saw series and we knew at the end of 4 that there would have to be a 5...remember the daughter hasn't been found yet. So what if it's low budget, poorly made or whatever the case may be for those of us who are thinking outside the box and want something different than the typical psyco maniac with an ax, mask, chainsaw or better yet dream demon this is for us, at least we know with the Saw series who is doing it and that it's not some far fetched idea of a returning killer who himself has been done off more than once. Saw is more able to happen in real time than Jason, Micheal, Leatherface or for that matter...Freddie.Don't get me wrong I still love them all too, except Freddie, never was big on him. Saw is in all respect just a movie and some like it and some don't...I'm game for anyting suspencfull which is what Saw is all about. And before I sign off I would like to add that just because I let my girls watch this stuff does not make me a poor parent so please lets keep parenting skills out of this cuz I have heard it all already...it's about the movies.

Anonymous said...

First of all I LOVE the Saw movies and cant wait till 5 comes out. It's just the right suspense for me. I don't really care what others have to say, if I like it then screw you all who don't. And as far as Missy, you're not a bad parent. Different kids can watch different things. Hell my cousin was watching Poltergise when she was 5 and it did nothing for her. she laughed through out the whole thing. I'm going to end with this... Saw movies (how ever many they make) will have my attention!! And let's all remember one thing: It's a freaking movie!!!!

Anonymous said...

the guy who wrote this blog must not be too bright...

the SAW franchise is the best of any there is

if you want people to know what a psycological thriller is just direct them to "SAW" franchise and its the best there is, (sorry i just said that)

but yeah maybe this guy just sees them as blood and guts but they arent about that at all , its just amazing how jigsaw has never killed anyone and i love it and he lets the victims realise how precious life is

ok im done blabbing but maybe this guy just didnt understand what he was watching or got confused LOL

Anonymous said...

I can see why most people really dislike the Saw series and think they are stupid. But I personally enjoy them. Not because of the people getting torn apart, but because there is an actual story connecting everything. You find out something new as each movie comes out, and it all starts to make sense. Yeah, if you aren't a Saw fan, then you won't care about how everything connects, but that's true for anything. If you hate Star Wars, then you won't give a crap about Vader revealing he is Luke's father. Sure, the first Saw will always be my favorite and I think they have steadily gone down hill, but as long as they are actually telling a connecting story and not just throwing random stuff together, then I will gladly pay to see the next chapter.

Anonymous said...

^Um, why would you even compare the Saw series to Star Wars? Anyways, I am a fan of Saw 1-3, but Saw 4 really proved that they are running out of ideas. They better have a great plot for Saw 5 or I really think it's gonna go downhill from here...

Anonymous said...

I will be going to see Saw V this weekend with my sister. I have been wanting to find out what happened to the little girl. I have been wanting to know about that ever since I went to see IV. Everyone has there own opinion and if you do not like the series them do not watch it but do not be worried about the people who do want to see them

Anonymous said...

it all depends on the level you watch the film on. Yes its gory, but underlying it is a deep and fundamentally philosophical message of the appreciation of life and the difference between living and existing.
I think the films are fantastic. The gore is to appeal to the masses and to give it some PR, but it could just as easily have been made into another genre

Anonymous said...

i personally enjoy the saw movie. i will say however, that saw 4 was pushing it. i think they are struggling a bit for plot. i think saw 5 will be worth going to see. i mean, now i have to know what happens next. and for those who say, "Oh man, saw is unrealistic." It's a movie! If you want realistic go live your life. movies are suppose to be escapes from real life and put us in a world that could never happen. it's all in fun. stop taking it so seriously. let movies be movies. if you don't like it, don't see it, if you love it, then don't let others keep you from seeing it.

Anonymous said...

It gets on my nerves when people say "they're running out of ideas." They planned the entire Saw storyline since Saw 2. Another thing that gets on my nerves is the fact that they think these movies are all about blood and guts, when that's just not true at all. And to say this is one of the worst horror franchises isn't a very intelligent thing to say. Out of every franchise out there this one actually has a connected plot, and is not just making sequels to make money, there is an actual story to tell.

SpectrumVideo LLC said...

"i personally enjoy the saw movie. i will say however, that saw 4 was pushing it. i think they are struggling a bit for plot. i think saw 5 will be worth going to see. i mean, now i have to know what happens next. and for those who say, "Oh man, saw is unrealistic." It's a movie! If you want realistic go live your life. movies are suppose to be escapes from real life and put us in a world that could never happen. it's all in fun. stop taking it so seriously. let movies be movies. if you don't like it, don't see it, if you love it, then don't let others keep you from seeing it."

Thank god someone with common sense. Albeit they've turned to calling it "good sense" because it seems that everyone else doesn't have any. Everyone is so concerned about letting people know what they don't like...who the fuck cares? And everyone else is concerned about telling everyone what they do like...who the fuck cares? How about we all start with this: you like what you like, whether it means watching Paris Hilton shake her shit, or a guy getting an axe through the head. Sit down, shut up, and watch. If it's not realistic enough for you, get your ass outside and and stop watching movies, because the day that you say movies are realistic enough is the day that you need to look at your own life.

And......I'm looking forward to Saw V. Snap!

Anonymous said...

I think the plot and over-all quality of Saw is actually pretty decent, if not good. Unfortunately, I'm one of those people who gets extremely impatient with movies like The Never-Ending Story that just... never end. As much as I enjoyed watching Saw, I can't bring myself to like it until it actually ends.

Anonymous said...

The person who wrote this blog is DUMB. That's all I'm saying

Anonymous said...

Well, as a huge fan of all 5 saw movies I have to say I dont care if they make one every year till I die. as long as they stay smart I will stay loyal. Most movies get retarded after 3. saw has been the first series to relase a 5 movies annually and that have been great. That is not easy, hope they keep up the good work. I dont know whats up your ass that you feel you gotta bitch about it, if people didnt love them, and they didnt make money, they wouldnt make them. every saw movie so far(excluding 5 since it just released) has made over 30 million, lets see you pull that off. the only thing that dissapoints... not enough gore.. hope they really amp it in the future.

Anonymous said...

People will bitch about anything. Thats the joys of America and our free speach, so we really don't have the right to rag on this guy because of his post. I've always been a fan of the movies--hopefully it makes you appreciate life a little more by watching it because many of us take life for granted. The only thing I'm complaining on a little is they are trying to drag it out a little too much..they will leave small questions unanswered, and that bothers me. I know it's just so they can make you want to watch the next one..but it's just the little things that are kind of annoying. Either way they all leave a message that we all need to hear.

Anonymous said...

Well I will have to say that Saw 1, 3 and 4 were the best that I have seen out of the Saw series and 2 being good. I just went to see Saw 5 with my boyfriend and we both agree being loyal watchers of this series. The movie was SADLY DISSAPOINTING! What the hell is up with all these flashbacks back to Number 1? This is 4 movies BACK PEOPLE! Nobody cares anymore! They need to be done and be over explaining the old deaths! It was more unrealistic too and the traps weren't as satisfying to us either. They should have ended with Saw 4 personally! I am not going to ruin the movie to anybody but I will say that when John died, the Saw series has completely died with him!

Anonymous said...

I saw SAW V and I thought it was a very good addition to the other films. It gave us more information about Jigsaw and what he's doing and whp he's been getting to help him, but I really think that a lot of people (that have posted here) ahev over ooked one thing, and that is that right from the first movie, we have been watching a lot of flash backs, so we should be use to it by now. The whole sceen with Amanda and Detective Trapp and Sing were all part of a flashback. The initial story was about Dr. Lawrence and Adam. Can't wait for next year's release of SAW VI and then SAW VII for the following year.