As sure as the annual tax return, the price increase at the train in time for the Christmas season and the sometimes more, sometimes less dangerous wave of flu, a very special killer has been visiting during the cold season for some years now: Jigsaw, the murderous genius of the "SAW" series. In the winter season 2009/2010 Jigsaw may strike in Germany for the first time before Christmas and lay out his deadly traps for the sixth time.
We remember: at the end of part 5 Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) got rid of the somewhat too intrusive Agent Strahm. But his demise doesn't guarantee Hoffman will be found out to be Jigsaw's henchman responsible for numerous deaths. As the noose tightens around the cop, Jigsaw's widow Jill (Betsy Russell) does everything she can to carry out her late husband's last will and testament. The deadly game Hoffman has just launched is one of the final pieces of the murderous puzzle Jigsaw once started. In the process, who will escape with their lives in the end is entirely unclear...
"SAW VI" admittedly has little new to offer. Again, more or less innocent victims are put into a maze of murderous traps, with either death or purification at the end. In the sixth film, an employee of a health insurance company must fight his way through numerous trials after his department repeatedly denied customers vital treatment. Of course, the whole thing is somehow related to Jigsaw's story, which is expanded upon with some interesting facts in flashbacks.
Kevin Greutert, who has worked on editing numerous SAW films, makes his directorial debut here. His production is solid, but hardly stands out within the series. What is positive about his film, however, is that there is an attempt here to bring the action back to the forefront a bit more. While the gruesome traps are once again the highlight for all fans, Greutert nevertheless visibly tries to create suspense through the story itself, which he succeeds in doing well in places.
The obvious, almost satirical criticism of the American health care system and the story around Agent Hoffman that continues in an interesting way make "SAW VI", on balance, quite an entry worth seeing in the series, whose end is still not in sight. Part VII is already in the works and will hit theaters in late 2010. Then, who is surprised, the blood is supposed to splash across the screen in hefty 3-D effects.
Until then, German Jigsaw fans can see for themselves if the world really needs another SAW movie. Solidly crafted, exciting in places and equipped with some hefty effects, "SAW VI" is by no means the worst film in the series. But unfortunately, the genius of the first film is diminished with each successive installment, and this sixth film also contributes to the fact that Jigsaw's genius can no longer really surprise. Therefore: for fans of course duty, but despite good moments the series is noticeably running out of ideas. You should just stop while it's at its best.
Original title: SAW VI
Directed by Kevin Greutert
Length: approx. 90 min.
FSK: Not Rated for Children
Ein Artikel von Frankfurt-Tipp
