Sceptical is an understatement of how I felt going into this movie. Saw V was a massive let down and showed signs that the series was tired, disconnected and lacking in decent ideas. It was then with some surprise that Saw VI has managed to emerge from the swell of shit movie licenses to retain some much needed composure. So what happens in Saw VI? Well, without giving away spoilers I can only describe it in the following way.

Special Agent is Strahm is now dead, and Detective Hoffman has emerged as the unchallenged successor to Jigsaw’s legacy. However, when the FBI draws closer to Hoffman, he is forced to set a game into motion, and Jigsaw’s final piece of the reasoning puzzle is understood by the audience.

So, that pretty much sums up the storyline and no it doesn’t do it justice, but if I was to reveal more it would be pointless seeing the movie as it would just be another gore fest otherwise. The clever inter-connected plot from the original SAW has found itself equally matched this time round with flash backs to previous movies and premonitions of John Kramer’s wife speaking to John throughout the movie. It’s a clever way of keeping in a character that is dead in the series. The film actually has allot of relevance to some geo-political events that are happening as we speak, I don’t know whether that has actually made this film more enjoyable but the fact that there is now a big conspiracy being unveiled by insurance companies and Barack Obama’s proposed health care plan happening in real life, you have a hatred for these insurance workers whom are a part of the game during the film, you in essence understand John Kramer’s and his Jigsaw manifest’s reasoning more than ever. No more said, otherwise I’d spoil it for you.

In terms of gore, SAW VI has to be the most horrific in imagery to date. The run down buildings and contraptions all strike a claustrophobic feeling with the audience and graphic imagery isn’t scary but is intense and uncomfortable to watch. The cast do a good job and Hoffman played by Costas Mandylor has a demeanour that is quite chilling, he doesn’t cast as well on stage as Tobin Bell but he certainly isn’t the worse choice for lead villain. I also will not give away any of the games in place, as it’ll take away from your overall viewing experience, but they are sick and twisted to say the least!

Overall SAW VI has somehow managed to redeem itself from several years lacking any punch and it’s easily the best film since the original. It has answered more questions about John Kramer than ever before and it had the perfect opportunity to end the series…but it didn’t. Had the cadaver of SAW came to an end, we could of given this film much more high regard, but as the ending leaves you without satisfaction, the series could be setting itself up once again for a fall.

78/100