Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Saw: The Final Chapter 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

He came, he Saw, he spilled a few drops of blood along the way.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman January 20, 2011

Our minds will heal, but these scars will never go away.

"Blood and guts and lots of it in excruciatingly graphic detail, oh, and a completion to the series." That's pretty much the summation of Saw 3D, the seventh and, supposedly, "final chapter" in the grotesque series of films that have spilled more blood, it seems, than the entire 1980s Horror genre combined, all without raising so much as a peep from those same people who decry violent video games as corrupting the minds of America's youth (and there's even a pair of Saw video games out there for those who can't get enough slicing and dicing and intestine-spilling and head-smashing and eye-gouging and all of that other bloody carnage goodness that have become series staples). Regardless of the surprising lack of outcry from those people who normally vocally bemoan such things, the Saw series has fascinated fans for several years -- every Halloween, in fact -- with a new chapter in what is a surprisingly complex and, in several ways, psychologically-challenging storyline. Unfortunately, these positive attributes seem overshadowed by the overwhelming amount of graphic violence that's slathered on the screen in all but the very first Saw movie, a movie that's certainly not for the squeamish but was held together more by plot than gore. Now on the seventh entry, the series has tried to maintain that same level of thematic intensity while also cranking up the gore-o-meter well beyond anything anyone could have imagined back when Leigh Whannell and Cary Elwes were trapped in a dingy old bathroom in 2004, the result a handful of movies that have a good story to tell but delve so far into excess that they're alienating viewers who might otherwise want to give Saw a go.

S.U.R.V.I.V.E.

Bobby Dagen (Sean Patrick Flanery) is a self-help guru and best-selling author who's written about surviving his ordeal with the infamous Jigsaw killer in his book "S.U.R.V.I.V.E." Now a major celebrity who makes the talk show rounds and even hosts an intimate gathering of other Jigsaw survivors, Dagen is living the big life, reaping the rewards of his endeavor, even landing himself a "trophy wife" named Joyce (Gina Holden). But wait a minute. In which previous Saw movie did Bobby survive his test? Aha! There's the catch. He never was a Jigsaw victim; he's just smart enough to capitalize on Jigsaw mania and make himself rich off of manufactured suffering and a make-believe story of heroics and a life changed for the better. Even from the grave, however, Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) has a plan for this fake. Jigsaw's minions have kidnapped those in Bobby's inner circle -- including his publicist, his lawyer, and his best friend -- and placed them in traps in which Bobby must in some way hurt himself to save their lives. At the end of the bloody trip through hell on earth is his wife whom he must save by putting himself to the ultimate test. Meanwhile, authorities close in on Jigsaw protégé Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) who is himself out to get Jigsaw's ex-wife, Jill (Betsy Russell).

Saw 3D wraps up the series and plays on its deeper themes -- more on that in a moment -- but what fans are going to want to really know about it: how's the gore? Well, subjectively speaking, of course, it's not quite as grotesque as Saw VI -- the image of the woman chopping off her own arm in that one is tough to top on the squirmy factor -- but there are plenty of sadistic and "inventive" traps in this one. Oh yes, there will be blood, and plenty of it. How's this for a roster? Smashed heads, bodies sliced in half, bodies pulverized, bodies ripped to pieces, a jaw torn off, eyes poked out, skin ripped off, a body melted, and even teeth pulled for good measure, the latter releasing a geyser of blood that's somehow greater than what spewed from Clarence Bodicker's neck when RoboCop gave him the middle finger. Shoot, there's even a mutilated torso that's not even a victim of a Jigsaw killing; it's just kind of there for some extra ooey-gooey footage, the poor thing torn to shreds by some random explosion that's mentioned in passing. The film follows formula, with some of the traps and characters not connected to the main storyline but just appearing for good measure (the opening three-saws trick and the racist who loses his skin, though the latter does tie in loosely with the plot), but most of them follow Bobby Dagen as he tries to free friends and co-workers from one deadly trap after another on his way to finding his wife. It's pretty standard stuff, visually: an industrial, dark, and decayed look frames most of the movie. All that's really new here are the traps and the additions and conclusions to the storyline.

Saw hasn't been -- and, in some ways, still isn't -- just about the violence. The series has prided itself on its ability to create a continuing storyline through all seven films -- as convoluted as it may now be is beside the point -- and that effort has been rewarded by quite the financial haul for a little Horror series that's certainly become the definitive genre icon of the 2000's. Still, the first thing that comes to mind when Saw is the subject is the untold gallons of blood the series has spilled, but, surprise, Saw and its sequels would have worked without the gag-inducing excesses that have become series staples. There's a downright good story behind the violence. What does it mean to really live? What will people sacrifice for the ones they love? What will they endure to atone for their sins? These are good questions ripe for exploration, and each of the films have in some way been constructed around that premise. Here, the lead character is a man who capitalizes on the retrospective positives of Jigsaw's cruel games by selling himself as some new-wave self-help guru who has embraced what has always been Jigsaw's M.O.: that not just surviving, but mentally thriving after having lived through his trap can turn a life around for the better. Of course, his is the greatest sin of all: reaping the rewards without having actually suffered to earn them. That's a nifty little premise to round out the series and a fine way to bring it full circle, capitalizing on the running theme that's been a companion throughout the films, even if it has become drowned out in favor of the on-screen nastiness that seems to know no end. Saw 3D also wraps up a few loose ends and in several other ways also comes back full circle to the first film; best to let those surprises remain so for the series' most dedicated fans to discover firsthand.

Saw: The Final Chapter 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Saw 3D delivers a dazzling 3D experience. It's all anything fans could want in a Blu-ray 3D release, and it's easily the best among the albeit limited crop of ready-to-buy live action 3D titles on the market; it's a shame that the movie's grisly content is going to limit those who might otherwise buy it. Still, for those who happen to be Saw fans and for those who happen to be Blu-ray 3D ready, prepare for a blood-curdling good time in the third dimension. Lionsgate's 3D presentation is practically faultless. "Ghosting" appeared only a handful of times throughout while the disc was replayed on Panasonic's first-gen 3D gear, and therein begins and ends the list of negatives. Depth is fantastic, beginning with the mighty and Horror-movie-rusty Lionsgate gearbox fly-through; there's so much depth there that it's bound to make the mind spin as much as the gears, and fortunately, the movie proper is just as good. General depth is spectacular, and the opening kill featuring the three victims in the glass storefront is one of the film's best. It's bright and glossy -- the brightest and glossiest in the series? -- and the crowd that gathers takes shape in three dimensions in several scenes as viewers seem like one of the neck-craning members who are straining to get a peek at the unfolding violence. Most every shot in the movie -- even some less-brilliantly lit locales like the gathering place for the survivors' meeting with Bobby Dagen or later on in the dank industrial locales where the bulk of the film and the kills take place -- sports perceptible levels of depth. Characters are nicely offset against their backgrounds, and viewers will appreciate the added effort in every scene.

It's no surprise that Saw 3D looks great; it was shot natively in 3D rather than converted after the fact, and the filmmakers have tossed in several "wow" moments that will stick with viewers long after the film has come to an end. The opening title sequence is one of the best around; the titles -- and shadows thereof -- dance off the screen and are offset by a deep pipe that extends well into the depths of the television screen. It's an amazing scene, and one of several that will excite franchise fans. One scene sees Detective Mark Hoffman sewing a gashing wound on his face shut, and the needle seems to poke out of the screen with every stroke. In another deadly scene -- preceding the film's only non-gory kill -- a key falls to the floor and appears to tumble out of the television screen thanks to a nifty angle and special effect. There are a few cases where splattered body parts fall and fly towards the screen; the effects are solid on their own accord, but accompanied by some gooey splatter-y sound effects, they're only intensified. This is a complete experience, really; Saw 3D definitely puts the viewer in the middle of the horror, and the fact that home video is now capable of reproducing lossless sound and exceptional 3D video quality means that even the movies might no longer be quite as safe and comfortable as they used to be.

As for the rest of Lionsgate's transfer? It's solid all-around. The picture features that typical-of-Saw vomit color palette that seems to favor greens and yellows but also moody blues and blacks; some scenes look industrially rusty and old. The combination gives the film a foreboding texture that suits it well. The opening scene stands out like a sore thumb from the rest of the movie and, indeed, the series, but it's at least a new look plopped into what is otherwise a series-typical façade. Fine detail is exceptional, particularly in close-ups of machinery, steel traps, and faces. The 1080p transfer even allows viewers to easily spot prosthetics and special effects from the real McCoy. The film was shot digitally for 3D, and the resultant image is smooth and relatively noiseless, save for a few of the darker corners of the image. Blacks are generally strong though occasionally waver into the "too bright" or "gray" area of the spectrum. Such is a small complaint, through, and the transfer appears free of any debilitating banding or other bugaboos normally associated with video features. Saw 3D is a borderline reference-grade transfer, and its nearly faultless 3D attributes elevate it to elite status as one of the best Blu-ray 3D releases on the market, live action or otherwise. A review of the 2D-only Blu-ray release may be found here. Note that all screenshots have been taken from the 2D version of the film found on the 3D disc.

Saw: The Final Chapter 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Saw 3D slices onto Blu-ray with a devastating (that's good) DTS-HD MA 7.1 lossless soundtrack. This one is loud, loud, loud; it's all about volume, and why not? The film is certainly about visual excess, so why not make it a complete experience and attack the ears as well as the eyes? The track makes full use of the surround speakers, whether in the assistance of the picture's heavy musical cues or the deadly sound effects of spinning saws, moving traps, victim screams, or splattering gore. Lesser atmospherics are handled with care and attention to detail, too, though they're few and far between compared to the thundering industrial sound the track usually offers. Music is spacious, clear, and crisp across the front and in conjunction with its back-channel support group. Bass is tight and violent but precise throughout; an explosion in chapter seven sends a potent shockwave through the soundstage that's a blast -- literally. Dialogue is crisp and accurate and never struggles to be heard over less scene-critical sound effects. Saw 3D's lossless soundtrack is as wild as the movie, and the 7.1 channels of sonic-enveloping goodness are the perfect companion to the 3D visuals.

Saw: The Final Chapter 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Saw 3D's meatiest special features are confined to a pair of audio commentary tracks, deleted scenes, and a handful of music videos; fans hoping for a deeper supplemental package that consists of several film-specific featurettes or a retrospective documentary that looks back at the franchise beyond the included short piece that briefly examines the traps will be left wanting more.

• Audio Commentaries: Producers Oren Koules, Peter Block, and Mark Burg man track one while Writers Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan handle the duties on track two. Both tracks deliver plenty of informative tidbits that Saw fans will enjoy; discussions delve into the history of the franchise, the purpose of beginning the film with showing what happened to Dr. Gordon, creating a 3D film, and plenty more. Some information overlaps, but hardcore franchise enthusiasts will want to consume both tracks from start to finish.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes (1080p, 13:45): Sc. 1 Jigsaw Finds Gordon, Sc. 13 Extended Interview, Sc. 15a Extended Church, Sc. 47c Bar, Sc. 51 Bobby Sees Joyce on TV, and Sc. 52a Bobby at 1st Group FB.
• Music Videos (1080p, 20:48): "Goliath" by Karnivool, "Cocaine Chest Pains" by Kopek, "Pass Out" by I-Exist, "Hageshia To, Kono Mune No Naka De Karamitsuita Shakunetsu No Yami" by Dir En Grey, and "Full of Regret" by Danko Jones.
• 52 Ways to Die (1080p, 14:15): A look back at the deadly traps from the Saw films.
• Saw 3D Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 0:58).
• Also From Lionsgate (1080p, 7:14): Additional studio trailers.
• Bookmark Functionality.
• LG Live.
• DVD Copy: Included on second disc.
• Digital Copy: Available as a download. Sampled on an iPhone 4, digital copy-ers will find a somewhat crunchy and muffled soundtrack that gets the job done but little else. The video presentation is dark and flat, but detail is fair and compression artifacts are unobtrusive.

Saw: The Final Chapter 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There are two types of people in the world: those who can stomach this amount of gore and those who cannot. Saw 3D is a terribly gruesome film -- vile, in fact -- but it's par for the course for the series. All that keeps these films from having absolutely no redeeming value is the storyline, and for the viewers who want to indulge in a moral, psychological, and spiritual mind game, there's one that's really worth investigating buried behind the copious amounts of gore. Saw would have been a much better series if the violence hand't been so in-your-face; it's grotesque and difficult to watch, but more power to Lionsgate and the filmmakers for going all out and giving people what they want to see. Saw 3D and its predecessors are kind of like the Horror equivalent of Basic Instinct; both this series and that film get bum raps for their excessiveness, but behind the violence and, in Basic Instinct's case, the sex, lie some pretty solid stories that most viewers might be surprised to find are actually there. As for Saw 3D and its cohorts? Forget the story if the violence is too much; it's good but not worth the gore. These things push the envelope about as far as it can go, and viewers should know their limits before going in. For those who want a good story and don't mind gore, give the franchise a shot, and for viewers who just want to see people mangled in 52 varieties, well, Saw's the ticket. Lionsgate's 3D Blu-ray release of Saw 3D is spectacular. Fans might be disappointed by the lack of extras, but both the 1080p transfer and the 7.1 lossless soundtrack are superb. Recommended for fans of the franchise only.