One of my favorite horror franchises of all time is SAW. After 7 films the series ended its October theatrical reign and did a nice job at wrapping up the story. Now after 7 years they are returning to the famed franchise with a new entry titled Jigsaw starring Matt Passmore, Laura Vandervoot, Cle’ Bennett, Callum Keith Rennie and Mandela Van Peebles with Daybreakers directors The Spierig Brothers at the helm, but does it offer up everything that made the original films so great or will it be a trap that you just can’t escape from?

 

Jigsaw follows 10 years after the death of Jigsaw and bodies have started turning up around the city, each having met a uniquely gruesome demise. As the investigation proceeds, evidence points to one man: John Kramer. But how can this be? The man known as Jigsaw has been dead for over a decade. As someone that loves every chapter of this series I can say I walked in with high expectations, but also concern to see what there plans were. I can say while it has its flaws I still loved it. The story isn’t a reboot directly like was originally announced, but instead a continuation of the original story that works way better than I expected. It sticks to the same formula of the previous films including the attempt to offer up a big twist ending and does a great job executing it all.

 

The traps weren’t near as inventive as they have been in the past or even as gory, but have no fear there is plenty of blood flowing throughout. Part of the fun here is seeing what comes next in the game as well as how it all comes together. There are a few moments that felt like they weren’t fully fleshed out unless it was on purpose to build on in the future. Either way these moments felt out of place, but no so much that it completely derails the overall finished product. The Spierig Brothers have done a great job of injecting some life back into the franchise with it feeling a bit more bright than previous entries and while the gore is there felt like they held back for a less is more approach. The cast all do a decent enough job despite those playing the game getting very little depth or anything overly memorable.

 

Thankfully the ending is where it opens it all up and does some clever things that not only bring it all together with the previous films, but opens it up for a whole new torturous direction for the franchise. If you are someone that hates this franchise then this film isn’t going to do anything to change that, but those hardcore fans will no doubt have the fun they expect and then some. My worries of the struggles to keep this series going are now gone and I am looking forward to hopefully get more entries in the future and keep Halloween a time for SAW!

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This release not only includes the film, but also bonus content including commentary and a 7 part documentary series taking you deeper behind the film. Join the game and grab your copy of Jigsaw available now on Digital HD, 4K Ultra, Blu-ray and DVD from Lionsgate Home Entertainment.