Saw IV Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: With Jigsaw's apparent death, FBI agents investigate whether or not he had one last accomplice.

Review: This entry marked the turning point for the franchise whereby they had to figure out a way to carry on without Jigsaw. I'll admit, at the time, I was incredibly skeptical that they could continue on the story in a realistic manner, but they added a masterful twist--the best twist in the franchise. Likewise, they put a lot of effort into crafting the story similarly to the excellent part 3. I do think part 3 is just a pinch better than this installment, but it is definitely a close call. Unfortunately, I think the idea that Jigsaw was dead became too cemented in the minds of audiences which is why the series began a downward trend financially. This film was still incredibly successful, don't get me wrong, but the series undeniably lost a bit of momentum with the apparent loss of its villain. However, I think it was the nonsense of part 5, coupled with the obvious milking, that forced the series to end at part 7.

For whatever reason, they thought the best way to open the film was to show us Jigsaw's junk from multiple angles. Why do I get the sneaking suspicion this was Tobin Bell's idea? Anyway, during Jigsaw's autopsy they discover the tape he swallowed in the last movie. Hoffman, now becoming a central character, listens to the tape that discusses a new game that is only just beginning. Next thing you know we have a trap playing out that includes, as we will learn later, Jigsaw's lawyer and former business partner. We then cut to Rigg who has taken the role of main character for this entry. We are shown a better glimpse into the hotheaded nature of Rigg, and the foreshadowing is pretty damn obvious. Rigg, Hoffman, and the FBI discover Kerry's dead body and realize that her trap was unwinnable. They discuss Amanda as Jigsaw's accomplice, but one of the agents, Strahm, believes that there had to be a brawny player in Jigsaw's schemes. This is yet another attempt to fill in the plot holes of part 1. It doesn't stop there, however, as even more of Jigsaw's past is explored. Jigsaw was, at a time, a successful civil engineer, entrepreneur, and, seemingly, quite wealthy. So now we know how Jigsaw was able to do everything he does and have private locations no one ever finds.

While the FBI try to figure out who else could have helped Jigsaw, Rigg becomes sucked into a new game. In order to rescue Mathews (still alive somehow) and Hoffman, Rigg must unravel various clues and choose whether or not to help criminals stuck in traps. This concept is reminiscent of the gauntlet in part 3, but they changed it up enough to differentiate itself; there is also the sense that Rigg is doing a kind of scavenger hunt rather than gauntlet. Realizing that a new game is afoot, and somewhat suspecting Rigg, the FBI agents interrogate Jill: the girl from the flashbacks and Jigsaw's old girlfriend from when he was normal. Jigsaw's motivation is altered to include a period in which he was happy, but his son was killed in the womb by a junkie. There is something else about his kid planned to be year of the pig or whatever, but I have no idea what the hell that is about. This is meant to explain the pig fixation, but I don't know enough about the more nuanced details of the Chinese zodiac to understand what the connection is supposed to mean. Regardless, we get a nice insight into Jigsaw's life, but I stand by my explanation in part 2 that that was Jigsaw's own interpretation of his morality compared to Jill's interpretation here.

Where this film truly shines is with it's awesome final twist and revelation. The movie wants you to believe it's Jigsaw's lawyer that was another accomplice, but, come on, we know better. Rigg screws up and fails his test which results in the death of Mathews, the lawyer, and Rigg himself. It is then revealed that Hoffman was actually the brawn in Jigsaw's operation, but this isn't the cool part of the twist. Agent Strahm appears to be one step behind Rigg, but he is actually in the gauntlet from part 3 and is following Jeff. The audience then realizes that all of part 4 has actually been taking place before part 3! Oh shit! Once the events of part 3 conclude, Strahm shoots Jeff who is still waving around the gun he used to shoot Amanda. Hoffman shuts the door on Strahm before walking off as we cut back to Jigsaw's body from the opening scene. That final tape was intended specifically for Hoffman all along, and we are left wondering how Jigsaw ended up in the morgue to begin with, what happened with Strahm, and what was Hoffman's role all this time. I should mention Hoffman was the one who wrote the letter to Amanda in part 3 as well.

This movie wasn't quite as intriguing as part 3, nor are the traps as memorable, but it is comparable in all the other aspects while having the best ending in the franchise. You have to admit, this film toyed with audience's expectations better than any other entry. The manner in which they get around Jigsaw's death is amazing--allowing part 3 and 4 to complement each other perfectly. The curiosity as to where the series would go next was unmatched by any other installment. While I do understand this is where a lot of fans dropped out of the series, they are missing out; I'd recommend going back and watching the whole series before drawing any conclusions. Sadly, the high hopes for the direction part 4 was taking would be dashed by the pointless filler that is part 5.

Notable Moment: When Jill is trying to explain to Strahm about Jigsaw's motives and mentions the Chinese zodiac. Strahm's reaction is priceless, and, I'm sure, what the audience was thinking too.

Final Rating: 7/10