Saw - 2004
Quick Summary
Two men wake up chained to a bathroom wall. They don't know where they are, and they don't know each other. All they know is that one must kill the other, or in less than eight hours, they'll both be executed...
This is just one of the situations imagined by a Machiavellian master criminal who imposes choices on his victims that no one ever wants to face. A detective is put in charge of the investigation...
My Thoughts
Saw is the beginning of the successful franchise we all know by name. A franchise, moreover, known for its "torture porn", but it's quite different with this first film.
Horror is omnipresent, but the film's direction almost makes it take a back seat to the hunt for the killer. The script is very well written, and makes the film very interesting. It focuses on the psychology of the characters, which is a particularly powerful form of horror. Quite simply, it's like watching the characters in a real nightmare.
The narrative is very disjointed, but it's easy to follow. The film is dynamic, everything flows together and there's always something going on. However, this dynamism is sometimes a little strange and breaks up the horror, which is a pity. I'm thinking in particular of certain horror scenes that unfold with a very energetic soundtrack behind them, a contrast I didn't really like.
Another flaw is the film's gory status, which may appeal to a certain audience but will not please the majority.
Apart from these minor flaws, the film is excellent, and it's easy to see why it's gained a cult following.
To Watch or Not to Watch
I recommend seeing this film, which is very good despite a few minor flaws, and above all interesting, unlike the other films in the franchise, which are simply a bunch of gore.