SAW 3D - Completion

In recent years, the end of the year was always accompanied by a visit of the perverted Jigsaw killer in our cinemas. But after seven years, this is now to be an end. But of course a Jigsaw doesn't just say goodbye to his fans without a soundtrack, and that's why "SAW - Vollendung" is also coming to cinemas in bloody 3D.

The air is getting thin for Detective Mark Hoffmann (Costas Mandylor), who had carried on the murderous legacy for the late Jigsaw (Tobin Bell). After the latter's widow Jill (Betsy Russell) unsuccessfully tried to dispose of Hoffmann with one of her hubby's deadly traps at the end of "SAW VI", she must now fear his revenge. Therefore, she places herself in the custody of the police, hoping for protection in return for information about Hoffmann's murderous goings-on.

Simultaneously, Bobby Dagen (Sean Patrick Flanery), an alleged survivor of Jigsaw's traps who makes no small profit from his fate, must fight his way through a murderous maze to save his life and that of his wife. He, too, is running out of time and is left with only the hope that the police will finally put a stop to Hoffmann's doings and thus put an end to Jigsaw's goings-on once and for all. But is that even possible

"SAW 3D - Vollendung" starts with the end of part 1, making it clear right at the beginning that the circle should be closed with this (supposedly) last part. The film does this very well with small references to previous parts and the return of a crucial character from Part 1. The ending, which works both as a final finale but of course at the same time leaves a small gap open for a possible sequel, also works, even if the big twist is seen miles before.

What works less well are the trappings so characteristic of the film. For instance, the film opens with a trap set in plain sight, where two cuckolded young men must decide whether to save the life of their cheating girlfriend, or that of their sidekick. In itself, the idea of taking the traps out of dark, dirty buildings and into the public eye is a very good one, especially as the reaction of the crowds gathering around the action also holds a mirror up to SAW audiences panting for blood and gore. However, as good and in some ways brave as this decision was, this scene makes little sense in the overall context. Because neither the police investigation, nor the following examinations deal with this bloody sequence even with a word.

Also the remaining traps are, as already in the past parts, less and less clever and actually just sick and overly brutal, which robs the film exactly what made part 1 still so successful: tension! "SAW 3D - Vollendung" is, also thanks to the good 3D effects, bloody, brutal and dirty. But thrilling is not really the last excursion into Jigsaw's cabinet of horrors. The element of surprise, which has been getting smaller and smaller from film to film, is hardly present here, and one has also slowly become more than fed up with the murderous trials.

It is really to be wished for the series that this is the definitive last film. For too long, the good and effective idea of the first part has been diluted by the sequels. Some good ideas and effective scenes make the farewell of Jigsaw and his lackeys nevertheless worth seeing - at least for fans who have kept the ball up to here. The come here once again fully at their expense and may be pleased when they thanks to 3D also the blood comes shot by the gallon together with several small and larger body parts.

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp