Saw III (October 26/06)

Though there's little doubt that these films will keep getting made until they stop making money, Saw III reportedly marks the last hurrah for the original filmmakers - including series creators James Wan and Leigh Whannell (with the latter penning the expectedly intricate screenplay). It comes as no surprise, then, that Saw III generally has the feel of a final installment - although, of course, the door is nevertheless left open for yet another sequel.

This time around, Jigsaw/John (Tobin Bell) - whose condition has worsened significantly since the events of Saw II - has instructed loyal protege Amanda (Shawnee Smith) to kidnap and subsequently force a well-regarded doctor (Bahar Soomekh) to alleviate some of his more outwardly crippling symptoms. And as was the case with Saw II, there's an almost completely separate subplot involving a man (played by Angus Macfadyen) who is forced to work his way through a series of increasingly sinister traps.

Predictably, it's the stuff with Jigsaw that proves to be the most intriguing aspect of Saw III; though he's confined to a bed for the majority of the film's running time, Bell manages to deliver a thoroughly compelling performance that's as electrifying as one might've hoped. Jigsaw's complex relationship with Amanda is further explored here, and there's little doubt that both Bell and Smith deserve a substantial amount of credit for the film's success.

Director Darren Lynn Bousman has infused Saw III with precisely the same sort of dark, Fincheresque sensibility that has essentially come to define the series' visual look, a vibe that's been augmented with the distinctly gritty vibe (the film is much, much more brutal than either of its predecessors). Whannell's script features several references to both Saw and Saw II, and occasionally paints certain events from those two films in an entirely new light (that infamous bathroom set makes a welcome appearance, albeit briefly).

There's little doubt that Saw III will have a far greater effect on viewers who are already well acquainted with the series, as the filmmakers have included a whole host of little tidbits and shout-outs that will mean absolutely nothing to neophytes (that being said, the central storyline does seem accessible enough to hold the interest of newbies). And if ever there was a movie that warranted a "not for the squeamish" advisory, this is certainly it.